Purdue University named host institution for NASA Hubble Fellowship Program
09-12-2025
Purdue University has been officially named a host site for the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP), opening the door for top postdoctoral scientists to carry out independent astrophysics research on campus.
The NHFP, administered on behalf of NASA's Astrophysics Division by the Space Telescope Science Institute in collaboration with Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute, and the Chandra X-ray Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, supports early-career researchers investigating the universe through theory, observation, and instrumentation.
"This is invigorating news for our department and the university," said Andrea Donnellan, department head of earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences (EAPS) and professor at Purdue University. "It opens new pathways for cutting-edge independent research here on our campus."
Each year, up to 24 fellowships are awarded to scientists who have recently earned their PhDs in astronomy, physics, or related fields. Fellows are named Einstein, Hubble, or Sagan Fellows depending on the focus of their research and receive up to three years of support, including salary, benefits, and funds for travel and research.
The competitive program is open to applicants who have completed their doctoral degree on or after Jan. 1, 2022. Applications for the next cycle are due Oct. 29, 2025, with offers expected in February 2026. Appointments begin Sept. 1, 2026. Go to the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program website for more information and to apply.
Cauê Borlina, Gerald H. & Sharon D. Krockover, New Frontiers Assistant Professor in EAPS, supported getting Purdue University as a Hubble Postdoctoral Fellowship site. "We are very excited to be a host institution for the NASA Hubble Postdoctoral Fellowship Program," Borlina said. "This fellowship supports postdoctoral work that aligns with NASA’s Astrophysics priorities, which overlaps with the research interests of many faculty in EAPS. This program is a great gateway to bring amazing postdocs to interact with our very multi-disciplinary faculty, and we are excited about hosting these fellows in our department."
As a recognized host institution, Purdue can employ up to two new fellows per year and a maximum of five fellows at a time, in compliance with NHFP employment policies. Purdue joins an elite group of U.S. institutions trusted to support these prestigious fellowships.
"Being able to welcome Hubble Fellows to Purdue reflects our investment in space science and our commitment to fostering the next generation of space researchers," Donnellan said. "We hope fellows who choose Purdue will see this as a place to launch bold ideas that will further shape our understanding of the universe."
Support for Purdue's NHFP host-institution status has been made possible through the NASA Astrophysics Division, with program administration by the Space Telescope Science Institute and its partner institutions.
Written by: David Siple, communications specialist, Purdue University Department of Physics and Astronomy