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Fellowships

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowships

The AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships program is designed to provide an opportunity for scientists, mathematicians and engineers with doctoral level degree (PhD, ScD, MD, DVM, etc.) to

  • learn first-hand how scientific and technological information is used in environmental policy-making;
  • provide a unique public policy learning experience;
  • demonstrate the value of science, technology, and economics in addressing societal problems; and
  • make practical contributions to the more effective use of scientific and technical knowledge in the programs of the U.S. government.

Potential fellows apply to the AAAS Fellowships Energy, Environment, Agriculture Program. Fellows work in offices throughout the EPA on projects of mutual interest to the fellows and the hosting offices. Applications are accepted by AAAS in the fall of each year.

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Association of Schools of Public Health/EPA Fellowship Program

To enhance the training of highly qualified and motivated public health professionals, EPA has partnered with the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) to offer a professional development program for professionals who have graduated within the past five years from a U.S. school of public health that is an ASPH member and is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. Graduates apply to ASPH in December or January for one-year placements in EPA laboratories or offices to work on high-priority, environmental, public health issues. Fellows work with technical mentors to design projects that capitalize on their individual skills and interests while addressing important environmental public health goals.

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EPA Office of Research and Development Post-Doctoral Research Program

EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) seeks postdoctoral scientists and engineers to fill up to four-year research positions. Positions focus on the exposure and effects of environmental contaminants on human health and the environment. Preferred candidates will have earned a Ph.D. within the last five years or will have it awarded prior to their federal employment start date. The location is based on the particular disciplinary focus of the candidate and the overall requirements of the program. Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents. Inquiries can be addressed to ordpostdocapps@epa.gov.

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Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Undergraduate Fellowships

The GRO fellowship program helps build capacity in universities with limited funding for research by awarding fellowships in environmental fields to students entering their last two years of full time study before obtaining their first bachelor’s degree (i.e. college sophomores). Students must be pursuing a bachelor's degree in an environmentally-related field, such as physics, biology, health, the social sciences, and engineering. The purpose of the fellowship program is to encourage promising students to obtain advanced degrees and pursue careers in environmental fields. Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility during the summer between their junior and senior years. Applications for fellowships offered for a particular year generally are announced in August of the previous year and must be submitted by December of the previous year.

Information about the most recent (2012) GRO fellowships:

(Note that applications are now closed for 2012. The information below is provided only for reference; information for future GRO fellowships may differ.)

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National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Fellowships

This government-wide program enables post-doctoral and mid-career technical professionals to work as visiting scientists at federal laboratories, including EPA, for periods of up to three years. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent.

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National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS)

A comprehensive fellowship program designed to provide undergraduate and graduate students pursuing educational programs directly related to pollution control or environmental protection with practical research opportunities and experiences. The projects are narrow in scope to allow students to complete the research by working full-time during the summer and/or part-time during the school year. Research fellowships are available in:

  • Environmental policy, regulation, and law;
  • Environmental management and administration;
  • Environmental science; and
  • Public relations and communications.

NNEMS fellows receive a stipend at a level determined by the student's level of education and the duration and location of the research project. Fellowships are offered to undergraduate and graduate students. Students must meet certain eligibility criteria. The application deadline for the NNEMS Program is in the winter of each year with all projects beginning the following summer. Complete application information and materials can be obtained in the college career service centers and on the NNEMS Web site.

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Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Internships, Scholarships and Fellowships

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) administer internships and research project training opportunities funded by EPA offices and laboratories and by other government and private sector organizations. These oppportunities are available year-round to science and engineering undergrads, grad students, recent grads and post-docs.

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Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)

The PMF Program is a flagship leadership development program for outstanding advanced degree candidates or grad school graduates who want a career in public service or elsewhere. Eligible candidates apply and participate in a rigorous assessment process. Those ultimately selected as finalists seek appointments as PMFs (Fellows). In addition to salary and benefits, your two-year appointment as a PMF will provide a fast-paced opportunity to gain experience and develop your talents. PMFs perform valuable service to the American people while jump-starting their careers, and get challenging assignments, formal professional training, rotations to other agencies, feedback on their work plus an opportunity to make government run more efficiently.

As a PMF, you are hired as a federal employee, with the additional responsibilities of a Presidential Management Fellow for the first two years of employment. Some fellows may switch offices, but at the conclusion of your fellowship, assuming your manager has a vacancy available, you are typically converted to the same position within the office you first joined as a PMF. This "noncompetitive conversion" means that your manager can simply fill out some paperwork and change your status to a career or career-conditional appointment, without having to advertise the position in USAJobs.

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Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study

EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program funds research grants and graduate fellowships in numerous environmental science and engineering disciplines through a competitive solicitation process and independent peer review. The program engages the nation’s best scientists and engineers in targeted research that complements EPA’s own outstanding intramural research program and those of our partners in other federal agencies.

This program awards graduate education fellowships for master's and doctoral level candidates in environmentally related fields of study, including both traditionally recognized environmental disciplines, and other fields such as social anthropology, urban and regional planning, and decision sciences. The purpose of the fellowship program is to encourage promising students to obtain advanced degrees and pursue careers in environmental fields. Master's level students may receive support for a maximum of two years. Doctoral students may be supported for a maximum of three years with funding available, under certain circumstances, over a period of four years. The application period usually starts in the late summer and remains open for two to three months.

Information about the most recent (Fall 2012) STAR fellowships:

(Note that applications are now closed for 2012. The information below is provided only for reference; information for future STAR fellowships may differ.)

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Scholarships

Marshall Scholarships

In recognition of the global nature of environmental challenges and the need to pool the resources of many nations to solve environmental problems, EPA has joined with the United Kingdom's Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, which has been administering the esteemed Marshall Scholarships since 1953. Through an EPA Marshall Scholarship, up to three talented college graduates with strong backgrounds in environmentally relevant sciences are selected each year to receive up to five years of graduate education assistance. The first two years are supported by the United Kingdom, through a Marshall Scholarship to a university in Great Britain. Successful candidates may receive up to three additional years of support towards a doctoral degree, either in England or in the U.S.

To be eligible for the EPA Marshall Scholarship, applicants must first be selected as Marshall Scholars, applying in the usual way, and must be pursuing a graduate degree in one of the following areas:

  • Physical, life or systematic sciences
  • Engineering and technology
  • Economics
  • Social and behavioral sciences
  • Urban and regional planning
  • Communication science
The proposed program of study must be demonstrably relevant to environmental protection, restoration or stewardship; environmental public health; or ecosystem health. Applicants whose work emphasizes the study of global environmental problems, international collaborative approaches to environmental problem solving, technology exchange programs or research to improve international dialog regarding the environment will be given first consideration. Applications are due each year on October 1.

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Contact the EPA Recruitment Team with any questions you might have about EPA careers or employment opportunities at EPA.

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