Fellows Program

ESDRI's fellows are engaged undergraduate scholars interested in research and creative activities relating to the environment and sustainability. They come from diverse backgrounds and have many different majors, building a collaborative community together. Our fellows typically meet a few times per year, with opportunities for extracurricular events too, such as community engagement or service projects. Fellows foster change by engaging in meaningful experiences that connect them to each other and the world around them.

Benefits:

• Building interest in and connections to research and creative activities
• Assistance with research or creative activity placement
• Research and/or professional advising
• Eligibility for research or creative activity funding
• Meet other like-minded students and faculty
• Stay in the loop with environmentally focused information
• Add this fellowship and the skills you build to your resumé

Expectations for fellows:

• Attend the Fellows Program meetings (hosted once per fall and spring term).
• Participate in at least one other ESDRI event per semester; summer term is optional.
• If conducting projects, share your research or creative activities with fellows. 
• If funding is received, present ESDRI-funded research or creative activities at a university symposium or conference.
• Maintain communication with ESDRI staff.

Open to:

Any current undergraduate student at Kent State University, except during graduating semester. We enjoy working with students across the campuses and all majors/minors.

Application details:

• Accepted year-round
• Approximately 10 minutes to complete

application for fellowship

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.  

• You should receive a response from esdri@kent.edu 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, we will reach out to you to schedule a conversation about your interests. We would like to get to know you better and offer our help connecting you to campus resources.
• Remember, there are a few expectations for maintaining your fellowship (listed above).  
  • If you are not meeting these expectations you will be placed on an "inactive" status. If you are still inactive after one semester, you will be removed from the Fellows Program.
• Provided you remain active, you can continue your fellowship until you graduate. You may also choose to leave the program at any time.

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, congratulations! 
If and when you have an ESDRI-affiliated faculty mentor, you are now eligible for funding related to your research or creative activities!

Helpful reminders:

• You must be an active fellow. Continue to meet the program's expectations (see above) to remain eligible. 
• If conducting research or creative activities and applying for funding, you must identify an ESDRI-affiliated KSU faculty who will oversee it. Give them a heads up that you are requesting funding because they will need to submit a letter of recommendation for the project.  
• You are encouraged to research out to ESDRI staff prior to submitting for extra guidance. 

Preview application form:
View the application for funding
Submit application:
Begin the application for funding