NOTE: For Fellowships to be awarded in May 2008, nominations will not be required. Please review the guidelines in their entirety for the new application process.

1. Eligibility Requirements for Fellowship Applicants

Graduate students meeting the eligibility requirements noted below may apply directly to the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation for a Switzer Environmental Fellowship. Competition for these Fellowships is intense. There are typically over 100 applicants for the ten fellowships in each region. If you are an applicant, please make sure you meet all of the Fellowship eligibility requirements and follow the application procedures below.

Applicants for a Switzer Environmental Fellowship must:

• be a US citizen;
• be enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in California or New England;
• have strong academic qualifications;
• have academic and career goals focused on environmental improvement, regardless of the school, major or program in which they are enrolled;

In addition:

• Master's degree candidates must have completed at least one semester of course work to apply and be seeking the Master's as a terminal degree. Master's degree students planning to pursue a PhD are advised to wait until they are in their PhD program to apply.
• Individuals enrolled in one-year Master's degree programs may apply prior to enrollment, but must be formally accepted into their program to be eligible for an interview.
• Applicants at the PhD level must have completed at least two years of Doctoral work or passed their qualifying exams by May 1, 2008. Please note that PhD candidates with a clear research and career focus are more competitive than individuals who are still undecided or early in their academic program.
• Mid-Career students may apply and must demonstrate how their academic program will enhance their effectiveness as an environmental professional.

2. Application Procedure

All students applying for a Switzer Environmental Fellowship must submit the following materials for an application to be considered complete:

• Application Form. An application form may be downloaded from this web site and must be completely filled out.
• A 2-3 page original essay. The essay is a critical component of the application screening process. The essay must offer insights into the personal motivations of the applicant as well as how his/her academic experience will be applied to environmental improvement. The essay may be single or double spaced, but please use at least 11 point type for all text. The essay should address the following:
  1. The applicant’s vision of his/her future role in the environmental field, including influences and experiences shaping that vision.
  2. A description of how the applicant’s background, academic studies, or other experiences will be applied to a career dedicated to effecting positive environmental results.
  3. A brief description of the applicant's academic focus describing how it will have a direct, early and positive impact on environmental quality. A description of the applicant’s academic research may be included as part of the application packet, but should not be the sole emphasis of the essay.
  4. One or more examples of how the applicant has been an agent of change or contributed to solving an environmental issue or problem.
  5. Evidence of leadership ability and experience. Challenges overcome may be described as well as accomplishments.
  
  
  • Two professional letters of recommendation. (See "Recommendation Instructions".)
  • A current resume, including relevant work and volunteer experience.
  • Most recent graduate academic transcripts.
  • A brief outline of the general course of study or research planned.
  • Evidence of financial need where applicable. Financial need may be considered when comparing equally qualified applicants.

  Four complete copies of the application form and four complete copies of all supporting materials must arrive at The Switzer Foundation office no later than 5 p.m. on the due date. Faxes or email applications are not acceptable. See Where and When to Apply for deadlines and contact information.

  
  

  3. Selection Process

  Criteria for Selection
  

  
  Switzer Environmental Fellowship applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Commitment to aggressively pursue and implement effective solutions to improve the quality of our environment;
  • Maximum potential for producing an early impact on environmental quality;
  • Strong leadership, communication and critical thinking skills;
  • Relevant work or volunteer experience in an environmental field;
  • Breadth of skill, creativity and flexibility to effectively bridge the public, private and academic arenas; and
  • Scientific, technical and/or policy background as applied to the applicant’s chosen environmental field.

  Other criteria and qualities considered:

  • Engagement in new approaches to major environmental issues or emerging fields including climate change and energy, green chemistry, environmental health and justice, and others.
  • Evaluation of merit considers professional and academic achievement as well as experience with activist, grassroots and other community-based approaches to environmental change.
  • Individuals who have some professional or work experience between undergraduate and graduate study are often more competitive candidates for Switzer Environmental Fellowships due to their understanding of systems and conditions required for promoting positive environmental change.
  • A diversity of approaches to environmental change is sought, as well as representation of a diversity of schools and fields of study.
  • Applicants who are pursuing an academic career must be able to articulate how they will effect positive environmental change beyond the classroom or research setting.
  • With the support of The Annenberg Foundation and our added focus on southern California in 2008, applicants who are committed to solving the environmental problems unique to that region.

  
  
  

  Application Review and Interview Process

  Applications are reviewed by a team of consultants with New England and California applications reviewed separately. Those students whose applications reflect the greatest career potential for improving the quality of our environment will be invited for an interview on a Saturday in early to mid-May.

  In 2008, we will be conducting interviews separately in southern California for applicants in that region. All other California applicants will be interviewed in San Francisco.

  Interviews are very focused, and brief. Each Fellowship candidate will meet with a team of 3-4 environmental professionals representing different sectors (business, NGO, government, etc.) and Switzer Foundation representatives (including past Fellows). All candidates are asked the same questions, evaluated by the interview team and then the team leaders convene and make the final selection. All candidates interviewed are notified of award decisions in writing shortly after the interviews.

  4. Fellowship Award Requirements

  Fellowship Payments

  The Fellowship is paid in two equal installments, the first in June and the second in late January. The entire grant may be applied to one or more of the following: tuition, matriculation and other university fees, living expenses, education or research related expenses. To the extent that the fellowship is not used for tuition, the Fellow may be liable for income tax on the Fellowship. The Foundation does not file IRS-1099 Forms on the Fellowships. You will, however, be required to submit a report of your expenditures to the Foundation at the end of the Fellowship year. Please consult with your tax advisor for proper treatment of the award.

  Fellowship Retreats

  In late September and early October, annual fall retreats are held in New England and California to welcome new Fellows in each region and provide an opportunity for former Fellows to renew acquaintances. Fellows are expected to attend the retreat the year they are selected. Former Fellows are always welcome and encouraged to attend the retreats. New Fellows will be notified of the exact dates and locations for the annual retreats at the time of their Fellowship award.

  In 2008, we will be holding additional retreats in early spring. The New England spring retreat will take place in March in the Boston area. The California spring retreat will also take place in March, in Los Angeles.

  Progress and Final Reports

  Switzer Fellows are required to submit two written reports during their fellowship year. The first must be received by January 15 and the final report by June 15. Guidelines and requirements for these reports will be provided in advance of each due date. The second grant payment will be released upon receipt of a satisfactory interim report.

  5. Exclusions:

  Employees and Trustees of The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation and their family members are not eligible to apply and the Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin in the selection of Fellows.

  6. Other information:

  For more information, please see Fellowship Benefits and Frequently Asked Questions about Switzer Fellowships. Learn about past Fellows through the Fellowship Network Directory or under Recent Awards.