Objective:
MEM-C aims to support graduate student and postdoc engagement and training in AI -related materials-research activities, particularly in anticipation of future scientific opportunities within the NSF’s MRSEC program which strongly encourages projects that “incorporate autonomous experimentation (AE) where robotics and AI accelerate closed-loop discovery” (NSF 26-500). In keeping with this goal and those of the MEM-C AI Core, the 2026 MEM-Seed program is therefore offering AI Fellowships for eligible graduate students and postdocs to support work that integrates LLM-powered AI agents into the workflows of existing MEM-C projects or shared facilities. MEM-C AI Fellows will develop skills and capabilities that will directly enhance MEM-C research and/or MEM-C shared facilities and will prepare them in concrete ways for future employment in AI-adjacent career tracks. MEM-C AI Fellows will learn to use existing AI-agents developed at PNNL for literature review, experimental planning, data collection, analysis of data, and simulations in the materials science domain. These fellowships will additionally strengthen the Center’s partnership with PNNL experts by supporting collaborative development and deployment of Scientific AI Agents for materials science.
Description:
Phase 1 (Pre-Application & AI Workshop): Those selected from the pre-application phase will be awarded the opportunity to participate in a fully funded, two-day, hands-on workshop on the intersection of MEM-C research and Scientific AI Agents led by Dr. Maxim Ziatdinov. The workshop will be an introduction to scientific AI agents including overviews by PNNL researchers, installation and operating tutorials, a deep dive into agents by working on datasets provided by PNNL and then working with participant’s own data. Tours of the PNNL facility will be included. Advisors will be welcome to attend the workshop.
Phase 2 (AI Fellowship): Those selected as MEM-C AI Fellows will be awarded partial salary funding for up to six months to support their collaboration with PNNL researchers on developing and integrating AI tools into MEM-C research. AI Fellows will be mentored by Dr. Ziatdinov. will receive regular one-on-one feedback and support for their projects and meet as a cohort.
Funding:
Phase 1 (Pre-Application & AI Workshop): MEM-C will cover all travel costs (ground transportation to Richland, WA, two nights’ lodging, and meal per diem) and will coordinate access to PNNL for participants (including the required badging process).
Phase 2 (AI Fellowship): Graduate students selected as Fellows will receive 1/2 coverage (25% appointment) of their RA stipend for up to 6 months (+ benefits + tuition) and postdocs selected as Fellows will receive 1/4 coverage (25% FTE) for up to 6 months (+ benefits). The anticipated number of AI Fellows is four (4).
Eligibility:
Phase 1 (Pre-Application & AI Workshop): Pre-applications are open to all current UW graduate students and postdocs who are interested in participating in the workshop at PNNL for Scientific AI Agents. It is not required for an applicant’s advisor to be a MEM-C participating faculty member; however, those not advised by MEM-C faculty will be asked to identify MEM-C collaborators in the pre-application form.
Phase 2 (AI Fellowship): By completing the Phase 1 workshop, students and postdocs become eligible to apply for Phase 2.
How to Apply:
Phase 1 (Pre-Application & AI Workshop):
- Deadline: April 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST
- Application Components
- Letter of Interest from Applicant (1 page maximum). The primary component of the application is a letter of interest from the applicant. The letter should identify an aspect of a current MEM-C project and/or instrumentation within MEM-C shared facilities that could be elevated using AI tools.
- Statement of Support from Advisor. A statement of support from the applicant’s advisor must be included in the application. The statement should indicate that the advisor has reviewed the letter of interest and is supportive of the applicant submitting the pre-application to participate in the 2-day PNNL workshop with the goal of them being invited to apply for the AI fellowship. Acceptable formats include a signed letter or a pdf print-out of an email. (Note to advisors: this can be brief!)
- Statement of Support from MEM-C Collaborator. A statement of support from a MEM-C collaborator is required if the advisor is not a participating MEM-C faculty member. The statement should indicate that the MEM-C collaborator has reviewed the letter of interest and supports the applicant submitting the pre-application. Acceptable formats include a signed letter or a pdf print-out of an email.
- The complete pre-application package (letter of interest + letter(s) of support) is due by April 7, 2026. The webform for submitting the letters can be found by clicking this link or by entering this URL: https://forms.office.com/r/W4TiCfznv9)
Phase 2 (AI Fellowship Application): This application will include a more fully developed research plan that builds upon the PNNL workshop outcomes. Successful proposals will include scoping and preliminary results. The application will require statements of support from the applicant’s advisor and identified MEM-C collaborators. Awardees will be designated as 2026 MEM-C AI Fellows. Following successful completion of Phase 1, those eligible for Phase 2 will be sent an application form and further information.
Contact for Questions: Kelly Olenyik, MEM-C Grant Manager, olen@uw.edu
