Smithsonian’s Life on a Sustainable Planet: Advancing Global Solutions Through In-Residence Fellowships

The Smithsonian Institution remains deeply committed to advancing global engagement and environmental stewardship. In 2022, we introduced the Life on a Sustainable Planet initiative to create meaningful dialogue between scientists, students, policymakers, and communities about the most critical environmental challenges facing the planet today.

Key aspects of the Smithsonian’s environmental mission include:

– Broad Scientific Focus: Our research spans across various fields, with over 800 esteemed scientists studying a wide range of topics. From uncovering the mysteries of the universe to addressing complex questions of ecosystem resilience, we aim to develop solutions for environmental issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.

– Collaborative Efforts: By connecting science, education, and public engagement, the Smithsonian is playing a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future. Our work involves preserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable practices, and providing strategies to mitigate the effects of a changing climate.

– Fellowship Opportunities: To support emerging leaders in environmental research, we offer three in-residence fellowship programs as part of the Life on a Sustainable Planet initiative:

1. Smithsonian Climate Change Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
2. Smithsonian Environmental Justice Fellowship
3. Resilience and Sustainability Science Postdoctoral Fellowship

These fellowships provide scholars with the opportunity to conduct independent research utilizing Smithsonian resources, such as data, facilities, and expert support. Each program runs for 24 months and provides an annual stipend of $62,000, with additional research allowances. Fellows are encouraged to pursue projects that can deliver rapid results and make a significant impact.

– Eligibility and Criteria: The fellowships are open to researchers who are not current Smithsonian employees or contractors. Projects should make substantial use of Smithsonian collections, data, or labs, and fellows are expected to spend a significant amount of time in residency at Smithsonian locations. Selection is based on the merit of the research proposal, the applicant’s qualifications, and the potential for the Smithsonian to contribute meaningfully to the research.

– Key Dates:
– Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
– Notification: Fall 2024

More info here.