KITP Graduate Fellowship Program

About this program

The Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP) at UC Santa Barbara offers the KITP Graduate Fellowship Program, supporting up to eight advanced physics doctoral students to spend a minimum five-month term at KITP to participate in research programs and broaden their training in theoretical physics. Support includes reimbursement for local expenses (meals and incidentals) up to $1,200/month, campus housing, and assistance with round-trip travel; fellows typically attend either the fall term (July–December) or the spring term (January–June). Eligible applicants are advanced physics PhD students nearing completion of their graduate work who can commit to the full five-month appointment; candidates may apply directly or be nominated by their PhD advisor. Applications require a CV and a 500-word essay explaining how the appointment will advance the candidate’s development, plus a letter from the PhD advisor confirming continued employment and potential synergies with KITP programs; deadlines are September 15 for winter/spring participation and February 15 for summer/fall participation.