Competition for the Switzer Fellowships is intense. There are typically over 150 applicants for the ten fellowships in each region. Please make sure you meet all of the Fellowship eligibility requirements and carefully follow the application procedures below. An applicant for a Switzer Environmental Fellowship must:
- be a US citizen;
- be enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in California or New England;
- have strong academic qualifications; and
- have academic and career goals focused on environmental improvement, regardless of the school, major or program in which they are enrolled.
In addition:
- The applicant must plan to be enrolled as a full time student for the entire ’11-’12 academic year in order to be considered.
- Master’s degree candidates must have completed at least one semester of course work to apply and be seeking the Master’s as a terminal degree. Master’s degree students planning to pursue a PhD are advised to wait until they are in their PhD program to apply.
- Individuals enrolled in one-year Master’s degree programs may apply prior to enrollment, but must be formally accepted into their program to be eligible for a Fellowship interview. Interviews take place in May.
- Applicants at the PhD level must plan to have completed at least three years of Doctoral work by July 1, 2011, or plan to have passed their qualifying exams by May 1, 2011. Please note that PhD candidates with a clear research and career focus are more competitive than individuals who are still undecided or early in their academic program.
- Mid-Career students may apply and must demonstrate how their academic program will enhance their effectiveness as an environmental professional.
- All applicants and recommenders should be aware that the Switzer Environmental Fellowship looks for environmental leadership potential as well as research topic of the applicant.
