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Gund PhD Research Fellowships

The Gund Institute for Environment supports outstanding PhD applicants interested in conducting interdisciplinary research on major global environmental challenges.

With Gund PhD Fellowships, students receive attractive funding packages, world-class faculty mentors, real-world experience collaborating with leaders in government and business – and a deep understanding of complex global sustainability issues. 

Gund doctoral students benefit from the Gund Leadership Academy and enrichment funds for conferences and research costs.

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive environment where diverse voices and perspectives are active and welcome. We encourage applicants who bring diverse perspectives to our community.

A person in a straw sunhat is squatting beside a metal piece of scientific equipment in a field. There is blue sky in the background.

Gund PhD Research Fellowships

Gund scholars collaborate widely to understand the interactions among ecological, social, and economic systems. We seek doctoral students working on Gund research themes, and especially the connections among them.

Students receive up to four years of funding at $35,000 per year, plus tuition, and ̽̽’s student health insurance.

Key Dates

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Applications Open: September 9, 2024

Application Deadline: January 5, 2025

Start Date: Fall 2025

Questions?

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Contact Julianna White (julianna.m.white@uvm.edu)

More Information for Prospective Students

Advisors
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Application Instructions
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Gund Institute Research Assistantship candidates should:

  1. Contact potential faculty advisors directly to discuss your interests. This should include a Gund Fellow who can serve as your primary advisor. It is important that you confirm their interest eligibility to serve as your advisor. They must have an appointment in the college you are applying to.
  2. Submit two required applications:
    • Apply via the Graduate College to your advisor's ̽̽ college or school by the deadline (deadlines vary) and no later than the Gund application deadline (even if the program deadline is after the Gund deadline). Indicate in your statement of purpose that you are also applying for a Gund Institute PhD Research Assistantship (the formal name of our Fellowship program). 
    • Submit the separate by the stated deadline.

Applications must include a statement of interest with:

  • How your interests and experience align with the Gund Institute themes, especially any interactions among them.
  • How your background, research, and/or experience would contribute to a diverse and inclusive eԱDzԳԳ.
  • Any initial conversations with potential advisors.
Qualifications
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All applications will be reviewed against five main criteria:

Gund Institute Research Assistantship applicant eligibility:

  • These assistantships are for individuals who have not yet started their PhDs.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously studied at ̽̽ and who already have a Master’s degree, but all qualified candidates will be considered.
Deadlines
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  • Submit the Gund-specific application in by the deadline.
  • Submit your application to a PhD program through ̽̽ colleges/schools. Each program's deadline. Be sure to submit your ̽̽ application before the Gund deadline in January.
  • Gund makes offers: March-April
  • Students accept offers: March-April
  • Start: Fall semester 2025
About the Gund Institute
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The Gund Institute for Environment at the University of Vermont is a research center dedicated to understanding and tackling the world’s most critical environmental challenges. Driven by the belief that research should inspire action, the Institute takes a cross-sector approach to solving environmental issues with stakeholders from government, business, and broader society. The Institute focuses on five interconnected research themes: climate solutions, sustainable agriculture, health and well-being, equity and justice, and resilient communities. With over 250 scholars in Vermont and across the world, the Institute brings together a network of internationally recognized researchers from diverse disciplines, including the natural and social sciences, business, health, technology, engineering, and the humanities.

Diversity and Inclusion
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The Gund Institute for Environment strives to build a diverse and inclusive community of scholars and leaders, because it is essential to our mission and central to our vision for a sustainable world.

We define “diversity” as the full spectrum of cultural and socioeconomic affiliations that characterize individuals within society, and “inclusion” as valuing the contributions of that diversity to our work and community.

A diverse and inclusive institute will enhance the relevance and impact of our work, ensure our solutions represent those most affected by environmental challenges, address environmental injustice, diversify the environmental leadership of the future, and train those leaders to operate in diverse teams and environments. Learn more about diversity and inclusion at the Gund.