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Applications for summer 2026 have now closed. 

The Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability invites applications for the 2026 IGS Summer Fellows Program! The 10-week (May 14, 2026–July 16, 2026) fellowship includes a $2,000 research fund, structured interaction with IGS core and affiliated faculty, and a collegial atmosphere that fosters peer support and intellectual growth.

Program Requirements
Summer Fellows are expected to conduct independent research that is geared toward an academic audience and could be published in the future. Summer Fellows must participate in all weekly sessions in person, Thursdays 11 am–2 pm. These sessions include a lunch with faculty presentations on diverse research topics and professional development skills. 

The 2026 summer program will be held in person at the IGS offices on the Charles River Campus at 111 Cummington Mall. At the end of the program, Summer Fellows will record long-form and short-form video presentations of their research results which will be published on the IGS website.

Eligibility
The program is open to Boston University full-time graduate students from all Schools and Colleges. Early- to mid-stage doctoral students are especially encouraged to apply (students completing degrees in May 2026 are not eligible). Previous IGS Summer Fellows are not eligible to apply. 

Research proposals that link directly to the student’s own and/or BU faculty’s ongoing research are eligible, as are new projects aligned with ongoing IGS research areas. Projects must be closely supervised by a BU faculty member, typically your faculty advisor.

Project Focus
In addition to students’ own research proposals, we encourage applications in the following areas that align with existing IGS projects:

• Visualizing Energy
  • A data-driven, online resource that communicates scientific information about the link between sustainable energy and human well-being to decision-makers, media, companies, advocates, educators, and the public.
• Possible topic areas:
  • Climate, environmental and energy justice, health and well-being, policy, climate change/emissions

Compensation
IGS will provide each summer fellow with a $2,000 research fund available to them for two years (through May 31, 2028*) to support and promote their research experience. This fund can support, but is not limited to, conference and/or research travel and research supplies. *Please note that if you graduate before May 31, 2028, your funds will need to be spent before your graduation.

Applications should include:

1. Your CV
2. A research proposal that follows our application template (Word document):
   • A 1,500-word (maximum) proposal for your research, including how the topic relates to the IGS research agenda and your own research interests.
   • A 150-word abstract at the beginning of the proposal, written for a general, interdisciplinary audience (this is in addition to the 1,500-word limit).
   • A proposed timeline for project completion over the summer (this is in addition to the 1,500-word limit).
     Please make sure your proposal has a title and page numbers.
3. A copy of your unofficial transcript

Additionally, one letter of support from a Boston University faculty member familiar with your research proposal concept and goals should be submitted directly from the faculty member to igssfp@bu.edu by the application deadline with your name in the email subject line. The letter of support should be from the faculty member advising your project, typically your supervisor, and should address faculty engagement and involvement in the project. Only one student is allowed to apply per faculty member.

If you require IRB approval for your study, you will need to have IRB approval prior to the start of the Fellows Program. Only one student is allowed to apply per faculty member.

We encourage applicants from all disciplines including STEM, the social sciences, arts, and humanities, especially related to equity and justice.

For more information on the IGS Graduate Student Summer Fellows program, please read the FAQs or email igssfp@bu.edu.

Who is eligible to apply?
Any graduate student who is currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at Boston University, except those completing degrees in May 2026.

If I am graduating in May, can I apply for the summer right after my graduation?
No. A student must have an active enrollment status with the University.

If I am an “ABD” doctoral candidate, am I still eligible?
Yes. Doctoral candidates may apply to the program after their coursework and qualifying exams are complete if they have active enrollment status with the University through the end of the summer.

If I do not need the funding but would still like to be a fellow, can I apply?
Yes, if you do not need funding, you can still be selected as a fellow and participate in the program. Please note that awarded research funds will only be available to you until you graduate or May 31, 2028, whichever occurs first. 

When are applications due, and when will candidates find out if they have been selected?
 The application due date is 5 pm on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their applications by late March.

What are the dates of the program?
 The program starts on Thursday, May 14 and ends on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

If I have a fieldwork requirement or another summer commitment that overlaps with a few weeks of the program, may I still apply?
Regretfully, no. Interaction with faculty and student peers and participation in IGS events are essential components of the summer fellow experience.

Can I still be a fellow if I need to miss one week of the 10-week session?
Yes, if you will be unavailable for one week of the 10-week session, you can still be a fellow. If your absence would be more than one week, please reach out to igssfp@bu.edu to discuss the situation.

What activities do the Summer Fellows participate in?
Summer Fellows participate in informal group discussions with IGS affiliated faculty about research areas and professional development skills; presentations about their research projects; and other social events.

How are the Summer Fellows selected?
IGS Associate Directors review applications and may interview some applicants. Students will be notified about the outcome of their applications by late March. Applications are evaluated based on the selection rubric (Word document).

Can I apply for a 2026 Summer Fellowship if I was funded for a past IGS summer fellowship?
Unfortunately, no. You may only receive funding as an IGS summer fellow for one summer.

If you have additional questions or would like further clarification, please email igssfp@bu.edu.