The M. Hildred Blewett Fellowship is offered to female students to enable women to return to physics research careers after having had to interrupt those careers. The fellowship consists of a one-year award. Allowed expenses include dependent care (limited to 50% of the award), salary, travel, equipment, and tuition and fees. Overhead charges by the institution are not allowed. To be eligible, applicants must: have completed work toward a Ph.D.; provide written proof from a U.S. or Canadian institution that the applicant will have institutional affiliation during the tenure of the grant; and be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal resident, or resident alien eligible to work in the United States or Canada.
In selecting fellowship recipients, the following criteria will be considered: qualifications of the applicant; the status of career before their break; steps the applicant has taken to return to physics research; the relationship of the applicant to the research community; the relationship of the project and award to future plans; scholarly significance of the project; and the quality and feasibility of the project design and timeline. In addition to completing the application, applicants must also arrange for 1-3 recommendation letters (one of which may be from a designated mentor, must be uploaded through the application portal by person coordinating recommendation letter), and a letter of institutional support during the tenure of the grant.