2026 Environment & Society Graduate Fellowship Program The Climate Assessment for the Southwest (CLIMAS) program at the University of Arizona is now accepting applications for the 2026 Environment & Society Graduate Fellowship Program. This prestigious fellowship offers a unique opportunity for graduate students from any degree-granting program at the University of Arizona to develop expertise in applied environmental research, collaborative outreach, and science communication. Up to four fellowships, each valued at $5,000, will be awarded to support graduate student projects conducted between May 2026 and May 2027. The program is made possible through the collaboration of CLIMAS, the University of Arizona Office of Research and Partnerships, and the Arizona Institute for Resilience. The fellowship is designed to provide graduate students with hands-on experience in environmental science and communication while emphasizing collaborative approaches. Projects should address a clear need expressed by a partner or stakeholder, which may include an organization, community, or individual affected by the research outcomes. Proposals that clearly articulate strategies for engaging with partners or stakeholders are considered highly competitive. Fellowship Objectives The Environment & Society Fellowship aims to support projects in which graduate students: Develop their knowledge and practical skills in applied environmental research Gain experience in collaborative project design and implementation Engage with communities, organizations, or stakeholders to ensure that research outcomes are meaningful and actionable Create research outputs that may take traditional or innovative forms While conventional research outputs such as journal articles, dissertation chapters, or research findings are encouraged, the fellowship also supports non-traditional outputs, including policy briefs, course curricula, multimedia productions (documentaries, videos), artistic projects, and community databases. This flexibility allows Fellows to tailor their work to the needs of their partners and intended audiences. Eligible Projects Projects may fall under one or more of the following categories: Scoping research: Investigative studies aimed at exploring new questions or assessing research feasibility Dissertation/thesis work: Projects directly contributing to a student’s degree requirements Developing a novel research output: Creation of new knowledge, tools, or resources Education and outreach: Activities that translate research into practical applications for communities or stakeholders Fellows are encouraged to design projects that integrate environmental and societal dimensions, addressing real-world challenges and demonstrating the potential impact of their work. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must: Be degree-seeking graduate students at the University of Arizona Be making satisfactory progress toward their degree and enrolled during the spring semester of 2026 Be able to continue with the fellowship through May 2027 Conduct research that incorporates environmental and societal issues Application Requirements Applications should include the following components: Project Description (maximum 2,000 words) detailing: Background and context of the project Fellowship category (scoping research, thesis/dissertation work, novel research output, or education/outreach) Description of partners, stakeholders, or target audiences and how the project benefits them Strategies for engaging with partners or stakeholders Explanation of how a collaborative approach enhances the project and supports career development Proposed Timeline outlining key goals and milestones between May 2026 and May 2027 Curriculum Vitae (CV) including relevant academic and professional experience Letter of Support from the student’s graduate advisor endorsing the project and understanding the collaborative approach. Advisor letters should be emailed directly to Gigi Owen (gigi@arizona.edu) by the application deadline. Applications must be submitted as a single document in .pdf or .docx format via the Google Form by March 2, 2026, 11:59 PM MST. Advisor letters are due the same day. Selection Process A small review committee will evaluate applications and select semi-finalists, who will be invited to present a 5-minute project pitch and participate in a Q&A session on March 26, 2026, from 9:00–10:30 AM MST. Awardees will be notified within three days of the presentation. Funding will be distributed in April 2026. Fellow Responsibilities Selected Fellows are required to: Submit two blog posts for the CLIMAS website: Fall 2026: Introduce themselves and their project Spring 2027: Report findings and outcomes Attend quarterly fellowship meetings to discuss research progress (remote participation allowed) Participate in a podcast discussing the fellowship experience (Spring 2027) Submit a written report or other product detailing results and project outcomes These activities ensure that Fellows contribute to CLIMAS’ outreach efforts while developing communication skills and sharing insights with a wider audience. About CLIMAS The Climate Assessment for the Southwest (CLIMAS) program, housed at the University of Arizona’s Institute of the Environment, is part of the nationwide Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP-RISA) program funded by NOAA. CLIMAS promotes participatory research involving scientists, decision-makers, educators, and resource users to improve understanding of climate variability and change in the southwestern United States. Fellows have the opportunity to engage with interdisciplinary teams, building expertise in applied climate science and resilience research. For more information, visit the CLIMAS website here Questions regarding the fellowship or application process may be directed to Gigi Owen (gigi@arizona.edu). For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this fellowship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.