The Morrison Fellowship is based on a 1928 bequest from Mrs. Alexander F. (May T.) Morrison
for “the promotion of research associateship activities of the Lick Observatory, University of
California.”
The Letter of Gift (as amended in 1936) states that it is to be awarded to an astronomer “either of
wide and admirable repute by virtue of contributions of great value which the proposed holder
has made to the science of astronomy, or a younger scientist who has recently received his
doctoral degree and who, in the judgment of the Director of Lick Observatory, is of
extraordinary promise and ability in astronomy.”
The Letter also states that the Fellow undertakes "to serve, in effect, as a member or guest
member-in-residence of the staff of Lick Observatory.” The original Letter of Gift implied that
the Fellow was required to live on Mount Hamilton; it was modified by the UC Regents in 1971
to include residency at the UC Santa Cruz campus.
Award of the Morrison Fellowship is under the discretion of the Director of UC Observatories. Current Morrison Postdoctoral Fellow: Dr. Henriette Schwarz 2017-2019.