Overview

The 51 Pegasi b Fellowship provides postdoctoral scientists with the opportunity to conduct theoretical, observational, and experimental research in planetary astronomy.

Established in 2017, the Heising-Simons Foundation 51 Pegasi b Fellowship is named for the first exoplanet discovered orbiting a Sun-like star. The growing field of planetary astronomy scientists study objects both within and beyond our solar system, bridging planetary science and astronomy. From improving our understanding of planetary system formation and evolution, to advancing new technologies for detecting other worlds, 51 Pegasi b Fellows make a unique contribution to the field.

The Heising-Simons Foundation is dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces and celebrates a wide range of perspectives. We welcome applications from individuals whose backgrounds are underrepresented in planetary astronomy, and whose innovative ideas can have catalytic impacts on the field.  

what the fellowship provides

  • Up to $450,000 of support for independent research over three years with the option to apply for a fourth year of funding assuming satisfactory progress.
  • Time and space to establish distinction and leadership in the field.
  • Mentorship by an established faculty member at the host institution.
  • An annual summit to develop professional networks, exchange information and ideas, and foster collaboration.

For questions, about the fellowship, please reach out to [email protected] or one of the university contacts here.

latest 51 pegasi b news

Incoming: New fellow will probe moon’s magnetic past for clues about its formation and interior

UC Santa Cruz News, April 7, 2026

Designing lightweight optics to detect signs of life beyond our solar system

UC Santa Barbara, April 7, 2026

Physics researcher Skyler Palatnick awarded 51 Pegasi b Fellowship

UC Santa Barbara, April 7, 2026

Caroline Piaulet-Ghorayeb selected as a 51 Pegasi b Fellow

The University of Chicago, April 7, 2026

Carnegie’s Earth and Planets Laboratory welcomes prestigious 51 Pegasi b Fellow

Carnegie Science, April 7, 2026

CIERA Announces Northwestern’s First 51 Pegasi b Fellowship Recipient

Northwestern, April 7, 2026

Sarah Steele awarded a 51 Pegasi b Fellowship!

Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University, April 7, 2026

Astrónomo chileno obtiene prestigiosa beca internacional

Centro de Astrofísica y Tecnologías Afines, April 8, 2026

Juan Ignacio Espinoza, egresado del Doctorado en Astrofísica UC, obtiene beca internacional 51 Pegasi b Fellowship

Instituto de Astrofísica de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, April 8, 2026

Graduate Student Rayna Rampalli Awarded 51 Pegasi b Fellowship for Exoplanet Research

Dartmouth, April 8, 2026

Histórico: un segundo chileno obtiene la prestigiosa beca de astronomía en Estados Unidos

SABES, April 8, 2026

Astrónomo chileno obtiene beca internacional clave para investigar exoplanetas

Cooperative Ciencia, April 9, 2026

Welcome to Rayna Rampalli, UCSD A&A’s first 51 Peg b fellow

UC San Diego, April 9, 2026

Celebrating Excellence: U-M Students and Alumni Awarded Prestigious National Fellowships

University of Michigan, April 10, 2026

Astrónomo del Maule obtiene histórica beca en Estados Unidos: es el segundo chileno en lograrlo

El Centro, April 13, 2026

OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMER WILLIAM BALMER AWARDED 51 PEGASI B FELLOWSHIP

Johns Hopkins University, April 14, 2026

Dartmouth’s Rayna Rampalli wins astronomy fellowship

New India Abroad, April 17, 2026

Indian American scholar maps the Milky Way’s hidden worlds

The American Bazaar, April 20, 2026

U-M researcher Marbely Micolta awarded prestigious 51 Pegasi b fellowship

University of Michigan News, April 21, 2026

University of Michigan doctoral student wins prestigious astronomy fellowship

mLIVE, April 22, 2026

From Sacramento to the Stars: How Rayna Rampalli Is Rewriting Space Science

The Brighter World, April 22, 2026

what makes this fellowship special? Watch the video below

meet the Fellows

Read about the 51 Pegasi b fellows and their research areas.