America's most prestigious astrophysics fellowship, 2026 recipients announced

The Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP), operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has selected 24 new fellows for 2026. In this selection, which recorded a competition rate of 27 to 1 with more than 650 applicants, the selected researchers will conduct independent astrophysics research for up to three years at research institutions in the United States.

Fellows are divided into three subcategories based on their research topics. They are the Einstein Fellow, who explores 'how the universe works', the Hubble Fellow, who studies 'how did we get here', and the Sagan Fellow, who answers the question 'are we unique in the universe?'

From black holes to dark matter, exploring the fundamentals of the universe

The 10 Einstein Fellows in 2026 will conduct research to uncover the operating principles of the universe, including the growth process of supermassive black holes, dark matter physics, and black hole spectroscopy through gravitational waves. Princeton University's Hollis Akins will track the growth of the first supermassive black holes through an object called the 'little red dot', and MIT's Benjamin Lehmann will develop new tools in dark matter physics.

Eight Hubble Fellows study galaxy formation and stellar evolution. James Beatty of the Institute for Advanced Study identifies turbulence and magnetic fields between stars, and Vasily Kokolev of the University of Texas at Austin explores the faint galaxies that fueled the early universe.

Hayley Beltz of the University of Kansas has been selected as the Sagan Fellow and will conduct research related to the search for extraterrestrial life.

Expect to strengthen U.S. space science leadership

“These fellows will advance NASA’s exploration of fundamental questions about how the universe works, how it has evolved over time, and whether we are unique in the universe,” said Sean Domagal-Goldman, director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters. “These scientists will increase the influence of American academic institutions and further strengthen America’s leadership in space-based astrophysics research,” he added.

Selected fellows will work at major research institutions across the United States, including Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Caltech.