Summer Research Assistant, Simons-NSBP Scholar

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Simons Foundation is a private foundation established in 1994 in New York City by Jim and Marilyn Simons. With an annual grants and programs budget of $450 million, the foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences.

The foundation pursues its mission through its grant-making division, comprising programs in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Outreach and Education, and autism research, and through its internal research division, the Flatiron Institute.

 Among the Simons Foundation's grantees, is the Simons Observatory (SO). The SO is a collection of state-of-the-art telescopes that prioritize measurements of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation and are capable of addressing a wide range of astrophysical questions. To date three of the observatory’s telescopes have achieved first light, and more will come online soon. When the SO reaches its full capacity, it will be the world’s leading CMB observatory.

In 2016, the foundation launched the Flatiron Institute (FI), a multidisciplinary institute whose mission is to advance scientific research through computational methods, including data analysis, modeling and simulation. The FI hosts scientists and collaborating expert programmers who work to create, deploy and support new state-of-the-art computational methods.

Simons - National Society of Black Physicists Scholar Program Overview

 The Simons-NSBP Scholars Program (SNSP) is an exciting program that provides undergraduate NSBP members with unparalleled summer research opportunities. The program, which is a partnership between the Simons Foundation, the Simons Observatory and the NSBP, gives its Scholars a holistic experience and provides invaluable training for becoming a professional physicist. For more information about internships at the Simons Foundation, please visit the Summer at Simons page.

 Program Description

The SNSP has several components that are specifically designed to provide Scholars with the best experience possible.

• Research: SNSP Scholars work on a wide range of projects in many scientific areas. For example, some past projects have included modeling gravitational waves in the early universe, developing sensors for measuring the Cosmic Microwave Background, searching for new exoplanets, exploring quantum computers, learning the dynamics of COVID spreading and building neural networks. Each of these projects is at the cutting edge of its field, and our Scholars have been able to make valuable contributions to the projects on which they have worked.


• Speaker Series: Every week of the SNSP, the Scholars hear from a new speaker about their work. This series particularly focuses on hearing from physicists working on exciting projects in a variety of scientific areas.


• Professional Development: The SNSP has weekly programming to help Scholars advance their careers. Past sessions have included panel discussions with non-academic physicists, workshops developing graduate school applications, and discussions of dealing with imposter syndrome.

The 2026 SNSP will have computational projects in a variety of scientific areas and will be supervised by scientists from the Flatiron Institute; these can be projects at Center for Computational Astrophysics, Center for Computational Biology, Center for Computational Quantum Physics, Center for Computational Neuroscience or Center for Computational Mathematics.

You will be prompted to indicate your area of interest (astrophysics, biology, quantum physics, neuroscience mathematics, or catalysis). 

 The program will start on June 1, 2026 and last for 11 weeks through August 14, 2026. The specific details for 2026 will be provided when the program begins. The 2026 SNSP will kick off with an opening ceremony at the Simons Foundation in New York City (NYC).

The SNSP is open to undergraduate members of the NSBP. We especially encourage applications from (i) students entering the final year of undergraduate studies, (ii) students studying in non-graduate degree granting departments, and/or (iii) are from small schools without a significant research infrastructure.

If you aren’t yet a member of the NSBP, you can join here: https://nsbp.org/general/register_member_type.asp?

An annual student membership will cost approximately $25; we may be able to explore alternative options for students who may be unable to meet this annual membership fee.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applicants to the 2026 SNSP must submit the materials listed below. For full consideration, materials should be received by January 15.

• A one page personal statement. You should include:
  
  
  
  • one paragraph stating the center you’re interested in, and the specific research area within that center; 
  
  
  • one paragraph about your future plans and how you feel this program will help you progress toward that plan;
  
  
  • one paragraph about why being a Scholar in this program would be meaningful for you;
  
  
  • anything else you feel is important in evaluating your application.
  
  
  
  


• Current Curriculum Vitae (or resume).


• Current, unofficial transcripts for all universities you have attended.


• Contact information of two people that will submit letters of recommendation on your behalf. Note the letters are not due on January 15; after the prospective Scholar’s application is submitted, their letter writers will be contacted with instructions for submitting their letter.

Deadline to Apply and Timeline:

• January 15, 2026.


• Scholars will be notified of their selection by early March 2026.

 If you have any questions, please contact sleejohnson@simonsfoundation.org or kasey.reid.wagoner@gmail.com.

Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All:

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law