Switzer Fellowship

United States and U.S. territories: accredited in-person graduate study throughout 2027–2028 plus U.S. citizenship, permanent residence, DACA, refugee or asylee status. International students are ineligible; living or studying in the U.S. alone is insufficient. The programme now covers the whole country, not only New England and California.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, refugees or asylees, enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in the United States or U.S. territories for the entire 2027–2028 academic year. International students and online programmes are ineligible. Candidates need strong academic qualifications, an applied environmental-improvement focus, leadership potential and commitment to social equity. Master’s/J.D. candidates must seek a master’s as their terminal degree and complete at least one semester or quarter by the end of 2026. The exception for one-year master’s programmes allows applying before enrolment, but formal admission is required before the May interview. PhD applicants must have passed qualifying or equivalent exams and advanced to candidacy by 14 December 2026. Mid-career students may apply if the programme strengthens their environmental leadership. Employees, trustees and their family members are excluded. Awardees must attend both multi-day in-person retreats, engage with the network and submit a final written report. Partial-year enrolment does not qualify.

1. Submit through the official Switzer grant portal by 14 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. PST. All materials, including recommendations, must be received on time; no exceptions are allowed.
2. Answer three narrative questions, each limited to 1,000 characters. Provide an original leadership essay limited to 7,000 characters, approximately two single-spaced pages in 12-point font. Address environmental goals, engagement with affected communities, network contributions and specific leadership examples.
3. Provide highlights of your five most relevant academic, work/volunteer and honours experiences; omit publications and presentations. Upload current graduate transcripts in PDF or JPEG; unofficial transcripts are acceptable if official copies cannot be obtained in time. Undergraduate transcripts are needed only for one-year master’s applicants without other graduate experience.
4. Name exactly two professional recommenders. Each submits their own letter directly through the unique portal link by the same deadline, in PDF and no more than two pages. Share the complete current Recommendation Instructions, including leadership, applied problem-solving, collaboration and equity questions. An academic recommender is particularly helpful for PhD applicants. The foundation recommends authentic personal-voice letters and advises against AI-written recommendations.
5. Optional help connecting with a former fellow must be requested by 16 November; this is not the application deadline. Virtual interviews are in May and award notifications in June.
6. Awardees attend the September and April in-person retreats, participate in the network and submit a final report; the January interim report is optional. Applicants must plan to remain enrolled throughout 2027–2028 and cannot seek partial-year support.