Fellows Program

ESDRI's fellows are an academic and research-minded group of undergraduate students, and -- although we come from diverse backgrounds and have many different majors -- we agree that the environment is the thread that connects all of our interests.  We typically meet a few times per semester, with opportunities for extracurricular events too, such as community engagement or service projects.  The ESDRI fellows at Kent State University constantly strive to lead by example.  One of our goals is to foster change by drawing from robust, well-informed science or extrapolating on the research ourselves.  We shape the future by impressing upon the up-and-coming generation of advocates and connecting them with faculty that are well-versed in environmental topics.  We hope to meet you soon!  

Benefits:

• Eligibility for research funding
• Website and symposium acknowledgement(s)
• Research and/or professional advising
• Meet other like-minded students and faculty
• Assistance with research placement
• Stay in the loop with environmentally focused information
• Add this service to your resumé

Expectations for fellows:

• Participate in at least two ESDRI events and/or environmental community engagements per academic year
• Enroll in at least one environmentally focused course per semester
• For upperclassmen: present research at a university symposium or conference once per academic year
• For upperclassmen: guide underclassmen scholars via mentoring, writing blogs, posting news, etc.

Open to:

Any current undergraduate student at Kent State University

Application details:

• Accepted year-round
• Approximately 10 minutes to complete
• Application link

Thank you for applying to the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute's Fellows Program!  We look forward to supporting you throughout your journey at Kent State University.  Now that you have submitted the online application and are awaiting a response, here are a few things you can still do.

• Keep checking your KSU email for your acceptance.  You will receive a response from esdri@kent.edu -- whether you are accepted or denied -- within one week.
  • Upon submission, you will automatically be added to ESDRI's listserv, which features the institute's latest news, events, and communications.
  • Upon acceptance, you will be asked whether or not you are interested in being connected with an actively researching Kent State faculty member.  This is not a formal commitment.  We offer this service to all fellows.  Please respond to this email if you are interested in being connected with an instructor whose research interests align with yours and/or discussing your options. 
  • If did not respond to the email/did not think you needed to be connected with faculty, and have now changed your mind, please contact us.  We will be happy to assist you.
• If you did not submit a headshot (does not have to be professional) when you applied, feel free to send one to esdri@kent.edu.  This is how you will be featured on our website!
• Plan to attend a meet-and-greet event hosted by ESDRI.  Time and date will be forthcoming.
  • This informal get-together will answer all of your questions, cover how to apply for research funding, allow the Co-Directors to learn more about you, and allow you to meet other fellows.
• Remember, there are a few minimum requirements for maintaining your fellowship (listed above).  It is never too early to begin networking with potential faculty, drafting your funding proposal, or completing the program's requirements.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.  We look forward to welcoming you into the Fellows Program!
 

Have you already received an acceptance letter into the institute's Fellows Program?  If so, that is wonderful, and you are now eligible for funding related to your research, as long as you continue to meet the program's requirements (see above).  We encourage you to open the link and browse what documents you will need to compile beforehand.  Remember: you must identify a KSU-affiliated faculty who will oversee your research.

The application also details what money can be awarded for and how the money will be awarded.  Click here to access the Qualtrics application for funding which is only open to current ESDRI fellows.

The institute wishes you the best as you start your research!