Hellman Fellows

The Hellman Fellowship Program was established at UC San Diego in 1995 through the generosity of Chris and Warren Hellman. This is the eighteenth year for this valuable program that is designed to provide financial support and encouragement to young faculty in the core disciplines who show capacity for great distinction in their research and creative activities. Funds awarded are intended as support for activities that will enhance the individual's progress towards tenure; therefore, prior to receiving a Fellowship, faculty recipients will have served at least two years at the assistant professor rank as evidence of their promise of distinction. A total of $487,500 will be available for awards during the 2012-2013 academic year. In accordance with the wishes of the Hellmans, at least two-thirds will be awarded in the physical sciences, life sciences, and engineering. Up to one-third will be awarded in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

The applications for the 2012-2013 Hellman Fellows Program will be accepted January 18, 2012 - March 29, 2012. A call for nominations will be sent to eligible faculty in January. The Application Process for the Hellman Fellows Program is administered by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor. For additional information, contact Cheryl Ott at x43131 or cott@ucsd.edu.

2012-2013 Application Criteria, Instructions, and Online Application

List of Previous Recipients


Congratulations to the 2011-2012 Hellman Fellows

Physical & Biological Sciences and Engineering:

  • Eric Allen, Section of Molecular Biology
  • Pedro Cabrales Arevalo, Bioengineering
  • Renkun Chen, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Alison Coil, Physics
  • Michael Galperin, Chemistry & Biochemistry
  • Todd Kemp, Mathematics
  • Jill Leutgeb, Section of Neurobiology
  • Ulrich Muller, Chemistry & Biochemistry
  • Scott Rifkin, Section of Ecology, Behavior & Evolution

Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences:

  • Prashant Bharadwaj, Economics
  • Gabriela Caballero Hernandez, Linguistics
  • Sarah Creel, Cognitive Science
  • Davide Debortoli, Economics
  • Kirstie Dorr, Ethnic Studies
  • Joseph Hankins, Anthropology
  • Todd Henry, History
  • Mark Jacobsen, Economics
  • Tara Knight, Theatre & Dance
  • Thomas Medvetz, Sociology
  • Gabriel Mendes, Ethnic Studies
  • Douglas Nitz, Cognitive Science
  • Ayse Saygin, Cognitive Science
  • Pamela Smith, Rady School of Management
  • Jong-sung You, Graduate School of International Relations & Pacific Studies
  • Angela Yu, Cognitive Science
  • Junjie Zhang, Graduate School of International Relations & Pacific Studies