Applications are open for the 2027 Switzer Fellowship, a prestigious one-year programme supporting graduate students committed to environmental improvement, social equity, and practical solutions to environmental challenges. Selected fellows receive an unrestricted $18,000 cash award, leadership training, career development support, and access to a professional network of more than 800 environmental leaders.
The fellowship is offered by the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation and is designed for master’s and PhD students who want to translate their academic expertise into meaningful environmental and social change. Applicants from diverse academic disciplines and personal backgrounds are encouraged to apply, particularly those whose work connects environmental sustainability with the needs of human communities.
Applications close on December 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST).
About the Switzer Fellowship
The Switzer Fellowship supports emerging and established environmental leaders working across fields such as environmental science, policy, public health, economics, advocacy, planning, business, law, and environmental justice.
The programme emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration, applied problem-solving, leadership, and social equity. Successful applicants demonstrate a clear commitment to environmental improvement and the ability to connect their academic or professional work with practical challenges affecting communities.
Since 1986, the Switzer Foundation has selected fellows who contribute to environmental progress through research, public policy, community engagement, and professional practice.
The fellowship is open to eligible graduate students across the United States and U.S. territories, following the programme’s expansion beyond its former geographic focus on New England and California.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected candidates receive financial and professional support throughout the fellowship year.
Key benefits include:
- $18,000 cash award: An unrestricted grant paid in two instalments, scheduled for January and June.
- Leadership development: Two multi-day, in-person retreats focused on leadership skills, networking, collaboration, and equity-centred environmental problem-solving.
- Professional development: Access to career coaching, leadership guidance, and opportunities to strengthen professional skills.
- Networking opportunities: Membership in the Switzer Network, a community of more than 800 fellows selected since 1986.
- Additional grant opportunities: Access to eligible leadership and professional development grants after the fellowship year.
The award may be used for tuition, university fees, living expenses, and education- or research-related costs. Fellows must comply with the foundation’s funding and reporting requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
The Switzer Fellowship is intended for graduate students whose academic and career objectives focus on environmental improvement.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, or an eligible refugee or asylee under the stated U.S. government definition. International students who do not meet these categories are ineligible.
- Be enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in the United States or a U.S. territory. Students enrolled in online programmes are not eligible.
- Plan to remain enrolled throughout the 2027–2028 academic year.
- Demonstrate strong academic qualifications and clear environmental career goals.
Additional degree-specific requirements apply.
Master’s degree candidates, including Juris Doctor (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. Master’s students intending to pursue a PhD are advised to apply once enrolled in their doctoral programme.
Applicants entering one-year master’s programmes may apply before beginning their studies, but must have formal admission to be eligible for a fellowship interview.
PhD candidates must have completed their qualifying examinations by the time of application. Mid-career students are also encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate how their academic programme will strengthen their effectiveness as environmental leaders.
Selection Criteria
The foundation selects approximately 20 fellows each year from hundreds of applications. Candidates are assessed through a competitive, multi-stage review process involving Switzer Fellowship alumni.
Applications are evaluated against several criteria, including:
- Environmental commitment and a clear focus on practical environmental challenges.
- Applied problem-solving and innovative approaches.
- Leadership potential and collaborative engagement.
- Commitment to social equity and understanding of how environmental issues affect communities.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to articulate achievable goals.
Black, Indigenous, and other students of colour, first-generation college students, and individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in environmental graduate programmes are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should demonstrate not only academic excellence but also a clear vision of how their research, experience, and leadership can contribute to measurable environmental improvements.
Application Deadline and Important Dates
Applications for the 2027 Switzer Fellowship are open, with the following key dates:
- Application deadline: December 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.
- Fellowship interviews: Early May 2027, conducted virtually.
- Award notifications: June 2027.
- Fellowship year: 2027–2028.
Successful applicants must attend two in-person retreats during the fellowship year, scheduled for September and April, and remain active members of the Switzer Network.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates should visit the official Switzer Foundation website to review the application instructions, selection criteria, and supporting documentation requirements.
Applicants should prepare their materials carefully, explain their environmental leadership goals, and demonstrate how their academic work addresses practical challenges and advances social equity.
Official fellowship information: https://www.switzernetwork.org/fellowship/become-fellow
Application guidance: https://www.switzernetwork.org/how-apply
Prospective applicants should confirm all eligibility requirements before submitting their applications. The fellowship is restricted to applicants who meet the specified U.S. citizenship or immigration-status criteria and graduate-enrolment conditions.
