Graduate students pursuing careers focused on environmental improvement can apply for the 2027 Switzer Fellowship, a one-year opportunity offering an $18,000 cash award, leadership development, career support and access to a professional network of more than 800 environmental leaders.
The fellowship is designed for graduate students enrolled at accredited institutions in the United States or U.S. territories who are working toward environmental solutions while demonstrating a strong commitment to social equity. Applications for the 2027 fellowship cycle are scheduled to open in September 2026.
The Switzer Fellowship is a one-year fellowship supporting graduate students whose academic and career goals are centered on environmental improvement. The program brings together emerging environmental and social change leaders working across disciplines including science, policy, justice, health, economics, advocacy, planning, business and law.
The fellowship places particular emphasis on leadership, interdisciplinary approaches, applied environmental problem-solving and social equity. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate how their environmental work can contribute to positive outcomes for human communities.
The program has selected fellows since 1986 and has developed a network of more than 800 alumni working across different environmental and professional fields.
What does the Switzer Fellowship offer?
Selected fellows receive financial and professional support throughout their fellowship year.
Key benefits include:
- $18,000 unrestricted cash award, paid in two installments.
- Two multi-day, in-person retreats focused on leadership development, networking and cohort building.
- Career coaching and leadership guidance.
- Access to the Switzer Network of more than 800 fellows.
- Professional networking opportunities and career connections.
- Access to webinars, training sessions and other network activities.
- Eligibility for additional leadership and professional development grant programs after the fellowship year.
- Opportunities to build long-term relationships with environmental leaders across sectors.
The $18,000 award can be used toward tuition, university fees, living expenses and education- or research-related costs. Applicants should note that funds not used for eligible purposes may be considered taxable income.
Who can apply for the Switzer Fellowship?
The 2027 Switzer Fellowship is intended for graduate students based at accredited institutions in the United States and U.S. territories.
Applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements, including:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, DACA recipient, refugee or asylee as defined by the applicable U.S. requirements.
- Be enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in the United States or U.S. territories.
- Plan to remain enrolled throughout the 2027–2028 academic year.
- Have strong academic qualifications and academic and career goals focused on environmental improvement.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to environmental problem-solving.
International students who do not meet the specified U.S. eligibility categories are not eligible to apply. Students enrolled exclusively in online programs are also not eligible.
Master’s degree candidates, including J.D. students, must have completed at least one semester or quarter of coursework by the end of 2026 and must be pursuing the master’s degree as their terminal degree. Ph.D. candidates must have completed their qualifying examinations by the time of application.
Mid-career students enrolled in graduate programs are also encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate how their studies will strengthen their effectiveness as environmental leaders.
What does the selection committee look for?
The Switzer Fellowship is not limited to a single environmental discipline. Instead, the selection process considers applicants’ ability to connect academic work with practical environmental challenges and positive community outcomes.
Applications are evaluated according to several criteria, including:
- Environmental commitment
- Applied focus
- Innovative problem-solving
- Leadership potential
- Collaboration and engagement
- Social equity awareness and experience
- Communication skills
Ph.D. applicants are expected to have a clearly defined research focus and explain how their academic objectives can contribute to solving applied environmental problems.
Black, Indigenous and students of color, first-generation college students and individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in environmental graduate programs are particularly encouraged to apply.
Switzer Fellowship 2027 Application Deadline
Application deadline: Monday, December 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Applications are scheduled to begin being accepted in mid-September 2026. Interviews will be conducted virtually in early May, with award notifications expected in June.
The fellowship selects approximately 20 fellows each year from hundreds of applicants, making the opportunity competitive. Applications undergo an initial eligibility review followed by three rounds of assessment involving Switzer Fellowship alumni.
Fellowship expectations
Successful applicants must participate actively in the fellowship community. Awardees are required to attend two multi-day, in-person retreats held during the fellowship year, one in September and another in April.
Fellows are also expected to remain active members of the Switzer Network during and after their fellowship. Activities may include networking events, supporting earlier-career fellows, participating in advisory activities and contributing to the selection of future fellows.
At the end of the fellowship year, fellows must submit a brief written report describing their fellowship experience and activities.
How to apply for the Switzer Fellowship 2027
Eligible graduate students interested in the Switzer Fellowship should prepare their application materials in advance of the September 2026 opening period.
Applicants should review the official fellowship requirements, eligibility conditions and application guidance before submitting an application. The official program provides a dedicated How to Apply resource for prospective fellows.
With its combination of financial support, leadership training, professional development and long-term networking, the Switzer Fellowship provides an opportunity for emerging environmental leaders to strengthen their academic work while preparing for careers focused on environmental and social change.
