MIT fellowships offers opportunities that support graduate researchers working on some of the most difficult technical challenges in engineering and science.

One of the most significant examples is the MathWorks Fellowship Program within the MIT School of Engineering. The fellowship gives graduate students flexible support to pursue ambitious research across areas ranging from advanced computing and sustainable energy to manufacturing and human health.

MIT reports that the program has supported more than 540 MathWorks Fellows, with approximately 85 fellows selected annually.

The fellowship is intended to give researchers greater intellectual freedom, unrestricted funding and access to mentorship and collaboration with MathWorks engineers and experts.

MIT MathWorks Fellowships at a Glance

Category	Details
Institution	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
School	MIT School of Engineering
Fellowship	MathWorks Fellowships
Eligible applicants	Current MIT School of Engineering graduate students
First-year graduate students	Not eligible
Professional master’s students	Not eligible
Preference	Students actively using MATLAB and/or Simulink
Fellows selected annually	About 85
Total fellows supported	540+
Funding	Unrestricted research support
Application route	Through department graduate administrator
Timing	Begin process early in spring semester
Required materials	CV, research statement, advisor recommendation

What Are the MIT MathWorks Fellowships?

The MathWorks Fellowships are graduate research fellowships designed to support ambitious research within MIT engineering.

MIT describes the program as giving graduate students freedom to investigate important questions and pursue ideas that could lead to significant scientific or engineering breakthroughs.

Rather than restricting fellows to one narrow research area, the program supports work across many technical disciplines.

Research may involve:

Advanced computing
Sustainable energy
Manufacturing
Human health
Aerospace
Electrical engineering
Computer science
Materials science
Mechanical engineering
Nuclear science
Biological engineering

The exact research topic depends on the fellow and department.

Why the Fellowship Matters

Many traditional research grants are tied to specific projects or predetermined objectives.

The MathWorks Fellowships are different because MIT highlights:

Unrestricted funding.

This gives fellows greater flexibility to follow promising research directions without the constraints associated with some traditional funding structures.

For graduate researchers, this can be particularly valuable when a project evolves unexpectedly.

Intellectual Freedom

MIT also emphasizes:

Intellectual freedom.

Fellows are encouraged to:

Explore new questions
Test emerging ideas
Investigate new research directions
Pursue important technical problems

This makes the fellowship especially relevant to researchers working on problems where the final outcome may not yet be obvious.

Mentorship and Collaboration

Another major benefit is access to:

MathWorks engineers and experts.

MIT states that fellows can gain:

Real-world insights
Professional networking
Technical collaboration opportunities

For researchers using MATLAB or Simulink, direct access to people with expertise in those tools can also strengthen the practical side of their work.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility is quite specific.

Applicants must be:

Graduate students currently enrolled in the MIT School of Engineering.

This means the fellowship is not an external scholarship open to anyone worldwide.

Who Cannot Apply?

MIT explicitly states that the following students are not eligible:

First-year graduate students
Students in professional master’s programs

Applicants should therefore confirm their degree type and year of study before preparing an application.

Preference for MATLAB and Simulink Users

Preference is given to students who actively use:

MATLAB
Simulink

in their research.

This makes the fellowship particularly relevant for researchers whose work depends on:

Modeling
Simulation
Data analysis
Control systems
Signal processing
Numerical computation
Engineering design

What Is MATLAB?

MATLAB is widely used in engineering and scientific research for:

Numerical computing
Data analysis
Modeling
Visualization
Algorithm development

Researchers in fields such as:

Electrical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Aerospace
Robotics
Control systems

may rely heavily on MATLAB.

What Is Simulink?

Simulink is commonly used for:

System modeling
Simulation
Model-based design
Control systems
Embedded systems

For researchers working on complex engineering systems, experience with Simulink can be especially valuable.

Research Areas Supported

MIT states that MathWorks Fellows pursue transformative solutions across several broad areas.

These include:

Sustainable energy
Advanced computing
New manufacturing
Human health

The current fellows list also shows representation across many departments.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

A significant number of current fellows are listed under:

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Examples include:

Xibi Chen
Fathima Zarin Faizal
Alina Harbuzova
Laura Landon
Mingyang Liu
Amit Rajaraman
Ittai Rubinstein
Jinwoo Sim
Shixin Song
Fan Xue
Waleed Akbar
Sharut Gupta
Abhiram Iyer
Dimple Kochar
Dooyong Koh
Dip Joti Paul
Maxine Perroni-Scharf
Khandoker Nuzhat Rafa Islam
Sarina Sabouri
Xiao Zhan
Khoi Dao

This demonstrates the fellowship’s strong connection to computing and electrical engineering research.

Aeronautics and Astronautics

The program also includes many fellows in:

Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Current fellows listed include:

Frederick Ajisafe
Myrella Cabral
Lilly Etzenbach
Madison Taylor Hobbs
Kyle Horn
Nathanael Jenkins
Youngjae Min
Bria Morse
Daniel Sharp
Anna Wadhwa
Maison Clouâtré

These researchers may work across aerospace systems, propulsion, autonomy, controls and related engineering fields.

Chemical Engineering

MIT also lists several MathWorks Fellows in:

Chemical Engineering.

Current names include:

Marieke De Bock
Daniela Cavazos Elizondo
Jennifer Fang
Gokulnath Ganesan
Jacob Sass
Shakul Pathak
Anish Sukumar
Wallace Tan Gian Yion
Brandon Tapia
Jarrett Turner
Isabella Bowland

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Current fellows also come from:

Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Examples include:

Seamus Frey
Laxman Kafle
Xinling Li
Simone Peter
Michelle S. Zhang

Research in this department can connect to:

Infrastructure
Climate resilience
Environmental systems
Transportation
Sustainability

Materials Science and Engineering

The current fellows list includes several researchers in:

Materials Science and Engineering.

Examples include:

Paul Miller
Juno Nam
Changhwan Oh
Yixuan Song
Seungyeon Woo

Materials research can contribute to:

Energy systems
Semiconductors
Manufacturing
Biomedical technologies
Advanced computing

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering is also strongly represented.

Current fellows include researchers such as:

Kentaro Barhydt
Vermeer Bonhomme
Audrey Cui
Rika Sugimoto Dimitrova
Michael Espinal
Charlotte Folinus
Leila Freitag
Qiyun Gao
Shaoxun Huang
Ahmad Mujtaba Jebran
Delace Jia
Yang Li
Zeyang Li
Krishna Manoj
Diego Quevedo-Moreno
Aditya Karthik Saravanakumar
Julie Shen
Dongchel Shin
Nomi Yu
Qifan Yu
Roger Pallares Lopez
Max Pierce

Nuclear Science and Engineering

The fellowship also includes researchers from:

Nuclear Science and Engineering.

Current fellows include:

Rodrigo Cavalcanti Alvarez
Marco Graffiedi
Takuya Isogawa
Andrew Lanzrath
Thomas Varnish
Zhuo Liu

Biological Engineering

The current fellows list includes representation from:

Biological Engineering

through researchers such as Fiona Yihan Wang.

This highlights how engineering fellowships can also support work at the intersection of engineering and life sciences.

Health Sciences and Technology

Several current fellows are affiliated with the:

Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology.

These include:

Davy Deng
Joshua Marchant
Jacob White

This demonstrates the fellowship’s connection to health-related engineering and biomedical research.

How Many Fellows Are Selected?

MIT reports approximately:

85 MathWorks Fellows selected annually.

The program has supported more than:

540 fellows in total.

This makes it a substantial fellowship initiative within MIT.

How to Apply

The application process begins at the departmental level.

Students interested in applying should:

contact their department’s graduate administrator early in the spring semester.

This means applicants do not simply submit a public external application independently.

Why the Departmental Process Matters

The application route suggests that departments play an important role in:

Identifying eligible students
Managing fellowship submissions
Coordinating deadlines
Supporting nominations

Students should therefore communicate with their graduate administrator well before internal deadlines.

Application Materials

MIT lists three main application materials.

1. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants should prepare a CV highlighting:

Academic achievements
Research experience

A strong academic CV may also include:

Publications
Conferences
Awards
Technical skills
Research projects
Teaching experience

2. Research Statement

Applicants must submit a:

Research statement of no more than two pages.

MIT says the statement should explain:

How MathWorks software has advanced the applicant’s research
How the applicant has contributed to the MathWorks community

This requirement reinforces the importance of MATLAB and Simulink within the fellowship.

3. Letter of Recommendation

Applicants also need:

A letter of recommendation from their research advisor.

The advisor’s recommendation can provide evidence of:

Research ability
Independence
Academic potential
Technical contribution

How to Write a Strong Research Statement

The research statement is likely one of the most important parts of the application.

A strong statement should clearly explain:

The Research Problem

What technical or scientific challenge are you addressing?

Why the Problem Matters

Explain the potential impact.

Your Research Approach

Describe how you are investigating the problem.

Use of MathWorks Software

Show specifically how:

MATLAB
Simulink

support your work.

Your Contribution

Make clear what you personally contributed.

Future Direction

Explain what further research the fellowship could enable.

Why Unrestricted Funding Is Important

Researchers often encounter grant restrictions requiring spending to remain tied to specific objectives.

The MathWorks Fellowship provides greater flexibility.

MIT explicitly describes the funding as:

unrestricted.

That flexibility can allow fellows to:

Explore unexpected results
Shift research directions
Test new ideas
Develop experimental approaches

Engineering and Computing Problems Fellows May Tackle

The program supports broad engineering and scientific challenges.

Potential areas could include:

Artificial intelligence
Robotics
Autonomous systems
Energy systems
Climate technology
Aerospace
Biomedical engineering
Advanced manufacturing
Computational science
Materials engineering

These examples reflect broader fields represented in MIT engineering rather than a complete official list of fellowship topics.

Advanced Computing

MIT specifically identifies:

advanced computing

as one of the areas where fellows pursue transformative solutions.

Research in advanced computing may involve:

AI
Machine learning
Algorithms
Computer architecture
Distributed systems
Simulation

Sustainable Energy

Another major area highlighted is:

sustainable energy.

Researchers may explore problems related to:

Energy storage
Renewable energy
Grid systems
Materials
Electrification

Manufacturing

MIT also highlights:

new manufacturing

as a fellowship research area.

Potential research can involve:

Advanced materials
Automation
Robotics
Digital manufacturing
Process optimization

Human Health

The fellowship also supports work related to:

human health.

Engineering research in this area can involve:

Biomedical devices
Medical imaging
Diagnostics
Computational biology
Biomaterials

Example of Interdisciplinary Research

A past fellow spotlight features:

Ashutosh Kumar, a 2023–24 MathWorks Fellow.

MIT notes that his research involved studying the relationship between bacteria and ovarian cancer, illustrating how engineering expertise can cross into biomedical research.

This is a useful example of the interdisciplinary possibilities supported through the fellowship.

Is the Fellowship Open to International Students?

The supplied source does not state a citizenship or nationality restriction.

However, eligibility is based on being currently enrolled as an eligible graduate student in the MIT School of Engineering.

This means the relevant issue is existing MIT enrollment rather than an external international application.

Prospective students cannot apply to this fellowship as a substitute for applying to MIT graduate school.

Can Applicants Apply From Outside MIT?

No.

The fellowship eligibility requires current enrollment in the MIT School of Engineering.

External students should instead explore:

MIT graduate admissions
External research fellowships
National science fellowships
University-specific funding programs

Can First-Year MIT Graduate Students Apply?

No.

MIT explicitly states that first-year graduate students are not eligible.

Are Professional Master’s Students Eligible?

No.

Students in professional master’s programs are also excluded.

Is There a Public Application Deadline?

The supplied source does not provide one universal public deadline.

Instead, students are told to contact their department’s graduate administrator early in the spring semester.

Individual departments may therefore manage internal timelines.

Is There a Fixed Fellowship Amount?

The source describes unrestricted funding but does not provide a specific dollar amount.

Applicants should not assume a particular stipend, tuition award or research budget unless their department provides that information.

Does the Fellowship Cover Tuition?

The supplied source does not specify the exact financial package.

It confirms unrestricted support but does not separately state:

Tuition amount
Living stipend
Health insurance
Travel funding

Applicants should obtain financial details through their department.

Does the Fellowship Guarantee Research Employment?

No.

This is a fellowship supporting current graduate researchers.

It is not an employment placement program.

How Competitive Is the Fellowship?

MIT selects approximately:

85 fellows annually.

However, the source does not provide:

Number of applicants
Acceptance rate
Department quotas

It would therefore be inaccurate to calculate a competitiveness percentage.

How to Strengthen an Application

Demonstrate Research Impact

Explain why your research matters.

Show Technical Depth

Describe methods, tools and results clearly.

Demonstrate MATLAB or Simulink Use

Because preference is given to active users, explain exactly how these tools contribute to your research.

Build a Strong Advisor Relationship

The required recommendation comes from the research advisor.

Start Early

MIT specifically recommends contacting the department’s graduate administrator early in spring.

Common Application Mistakes

Applying as an External Student

The fellowship is for current MIT School of Engineering graduate students.

Applying in the First Year

First-year graduate students are not eligible.

Applying From a Professional Master’s Program

Professional master’s students are not eligible.

Ignoring MathWorks Tools

Preference is given to researchers using MATLAB or Simulink.

Writing an Overly Long Research Statement

The research statement has a maximum length of two pages.

Forgetting the Advisor Recommendation

A research-advisor recommendation is required.

Waiting Until the Last Minute

Students are advised to contact their department early in spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the MIT MathWorks Fellowships?

They are graduate research fellowships supporting ambitious research within the MIT School of Engineering.

Who can apply?

Current MIT School of Engineering graduate students who meet the program requirements.

Can first-year graduate students apply?

No.

Can professional master’s students apply?

No.

Is the fellowship open worldwide?

It is not an external worldwide fellowship. Applicants must already be eligible MIT School of Engineering graduate students.

How many fellows are selected each year?

Approximately 85.

How many fellows have been supported in total?

More than 540.

What research areas are supported?

MIT highlights areas ranging from sustainable energy and advanced computing to manufacturing and human health.

Is MATLAB required?

The source says preference is given to applicants actively using MATLAB and/or Simulink.

What application documents are required?

A CV, a maximum two-page research statement and a recommendation letter from the research advisor.

How do students apply?

They should contact their department’s graduate administrator early in the spring semester.

Is there a fixed public deadline?

The supplied source does not provide one.

Is there a published fellowship amount?

No specific dollar amount is stated in the supplied source.

Is the funding unrestricted?

Yes.

MIT explicitly describes unrestricted funding as one of the program benefits.

Does the fellowship include mentorship?

Yes.

Fellows can connect with MathWorks engineers and experts.

Can computer science researchers apply?

Yes, provided they are eligible MIT School of Engineering graduate students. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is strongly represented among current fellows.

Can mechanical engineering students apply?

Yes, eligible Mechanical Engineering graduate students are represented among current fellows.

Can aerospace researchers apply?

Yes.

Aeronautics and Astronautics is represented among current fellows.

Can biomedical researchers apply?

Yes, eligible researchers working at the intersection of engineering and health are represented in the program.

Why the MIT MathWorks Fellowship Is Worth Considering

The program combines several features that can be particularly valuable to advanced graduate researchers:

Unrestricted funding
Intellectual freedom
Technical mentorship
Professional networking
Interdisciplinary research
Support for ambitious technical problems

It also reaches across multiple departments, from computer science and aerospace to materials, chemical engineering and human health.

For researchers already enrolled at MIT, this can provide the flexibility to push beyond conventional project boundaries and explore research directions that could lead to future breakthroughs.

Final Thoughts

MIT Fellowships for Scholars Tackling Complex Problems in Engineering and Computing can provide valuable support for graduate researchers working on advanced technical challenges.

The MIT MathWorks Fellowships support research across areas including advanced computing, sustainable energy, manufacturing and human health, while emphasizing intellectual freedom, unrestricted funding and collaboration with MathWorks experts.
MIT reports more than 540 MathWorks Fellows overall, with approximately 85 selected each year.

Eligibility is narrower than the headline may initially suggest. Applicants must already be current MIT School of Engineering graduate students. First-year graduate students and professional master’s students cannot apply, and preference is given to researchers actively using MATLAB or Simulink.

Interested students should contact their department’s graduate administrator early in the spring semester and prepare a CV, a two-page research statement and a recommendation letter from their research advisor.

For eligible researchers seeking greater freedom to pursue complex questions in engineering and computing, the MathWorks Fellowship represents a significant internal MIT research opportunity.

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