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Applications open for 2025-26 Global Change Research Fellows

November 12, 2024
Group photo of the 2024-25 Global Change Research Fellows

Sponsored by the USGS Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC) and NC State University, the Global Change Research Fellows program is designed to provide financial, scientific, and professional-development support for graduate students who are incoming or currently enrolled at a Consortium university of SE CASC or a citizen of a USET member Tribal Nation in the Southeast.

The mission of the SE CASC is to provide science and tools to help fish, wildlife, water, lands, and people adapt to changing climate and land use. We invite applications from students who are interested in interdisciplinary research related to climate and global change (the various changes connected to the rapid increase in human activities which started around the mid-20th century), and especially those students who seek to do work that informs or directly addresses challenges associated with global change.

We believe in making climate adaptation science more just and inclusive of all voices and interests within the SE CASC footprint and value diversity of thought and experience which leads to better decision-making and more effective adaptation strategies. 

Scientific and Professional Development

Recipients will join a diverse, interdisciplinary community of graduate students and faculty with interests in global environmental change.

Global Change Research Fellows will be required to participate in:

  1. An expenses-paid, one-week-long Climate Adaptation Science Field Intensive to be held in January 2026, focused on principles of SE CASC mission and climate adaptation challenges and strategies of resource managers. The January 2026 field intensive is scheduled for the US Caribbean. 
  2. Regularly scheduled (weekly) virtual cohort meetings and skill-building workshops. Fellows will meet in Fall and Spring semesters on Tuesdays from 10:15-11:30 ET (all fellows must have this time free in their schedules to participate in the program).
  3. A Team Science Synthesis Project, SE CASC-funded Working Group, or SE CASC Communications Project as a research assistant.
  4. Implementing at least two convenings related to the mission of the SE CASC within the academic year of 2025-26. These could be seminars, coffee hours, or panel discussions.  
  5. Developing a Researcher Spotlight highlighting their research and experience in the program.
  6. Other professional development opportunities throughout the year.

Financial Support

We expect to fund 10 to 14 students for the 2025-26 academic year. Stipends (in the form of Research Assistantships) will be paid at a rate determined based on their university and college affiliation or set by NC State University, approximately $28,114-$32,000 stipend plus tuition and health insurance for the period August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026. Consortium student support will be provided as a subaward to their Consortium university, to their Tribal Nation, or to USET. 

Support after the Fellows program year of funding is the responsibility of the student’s advisor and/or graduate program, and the faculty advisor must demonstrate commitment to fully supporting the remaining graduate program for accepted students. This commitment should be expressed in the faculty member’s letter of recommendation. Students will be responsible for paying any student fees. Some additional funds may be available for student travel and professional development opportunities.

Faculty Involvement

Applicants should request a letter of recommendation from a SE CASC Research Affiliate who is or will serve as their faculty advisor. SE CASC accepts on a rolling basis requests from faculty who would like to be listed as Research Affiliates.

Faculty advisors are expected to actively participate in the Global Change Research Fellows program by participating in SE CASC activities such as seminars, mentoring graduate students in their research programs, encouraging student participation in Fellows activities, and guiding Fellows projects in cooperation with other faculty, SE CASC leadership, and partners. Letters of recommendation are submitted separately from student application uploads. Guidelines and directions for upload are available here.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled in or entering a PhD or Masters degree program at a SE CASC Consortium university or must be a citizen of a USET member Tribal Nation in the Southeast who is enrolled in or entering a Masters or PhD degree program.

For PhD students, preference will be given to students who are in years 1 through 4 of their PhD program during the Fellows program year.

Application and Selection Process

Full applications must be submitted by January 6, 2025 via this Google form, providing general information about the student applicant and supplying these documents:

  1. Statement of Interest formatted according to the provided template: 2025-26 GCRF Statement of Interest Template.pdf
  2. Applicant’s curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum; we suggest using the following resource in developing a CV)
  3. A copy of applicant’s unofficial transcript
  4. Name and contact information for the faculty advisor who will be submitting a confidential letter of recommendation.

Letters of recommendation should be uploaded directly by the faculty advisor by the application deadline via this Google form: 2025-26 SE CASC Global Change Research Fellow Letters of Recommendation, following provided guidelines. 

Incomplete application packages will not receive full consideration. Recipients will be notified by approximately February 15, 2025. Questions about the program should be directed to SE CASC Assistant Consortium Director, Cari Furiness (csf@ncsu.edu).

Apply here

Informational Webinar

Have questions? Join an informational webinar to learn more about the Global Change Research Fellows program and application process on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 11 am ET. Register here.

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