Description

The Switzer Fellowship is a one-year fellowship for graduate students from diverse academic and personal backgrounds in New England and California whose career goals focus on environmental improvement. Switzer Fellows demonstrate leadership in their field, as well as commitment and competency to advance social equity as a fundamental part of their environmental problem-solving.

The fellowship includes a $17,000 cash award, leadership training, and opportunities for professional development and grants throughout fellows’ careers as part of the Switzer Network: a vibrant community of more than 750 fellows selected since 1986.

Requirements

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, or a refugee or asylee according to the definition provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security (international students are ineligible.)
• Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in California or one of the six New England states (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) and plan to be enrolled as for the entire 2026-2027 academic year. Students in online programs are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must have strong academic qualifications, with academic and career goals focused on environmental improvement.
• Master’s degree candidates (including J.D. students) must have completed at least one semester or quarter of course work to apply, and they must be seeking a Master’s as their terminal degree.
• Master’s degree students planning to pursue a Ph.D. are advised to wait until they are in their Ph.D. 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 Switzer Fellowship interview (held in May).
• Ph.D. candidates must have completed at least three years of doctoral work or plan to have passed their qualifying exams by July 1, 2026.
• Mid-career students are encouraged to apply and must demonstrate how their academic program will enhance their effectiveness as an environmental leader.