Apply for Summer 2025
Applications are currently being accepted for summer 2025. The deadline to apply is March 21.
The Graduate Student Summer Fellows program at the Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS) offers graduate students from across BU the opportunity for capacity building, mentoring, and interdisciplinary analysis to support their independent research projects in planetary health and human well-being, the governance and politics of sustainability transitions, and energy systems of the future.
The program encourages:
- Diverse methodological approaches that span robust data analysis and rigorous mixed methods
- An emphasis on social justice and equity
- Translation of research into policy impact, industry engagement, and social action
2025 Program Overview
The Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability invites applications for the 2025 IGS Summer Fellows Program. The 10-week (May 22, 2025–July 24, 2025) fellowship includes a financial stipend (or research budget) towards your summer work, 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, which includes a “green bag” lunch with faculty presentations on diverse research topics and professional development skills. The 2025 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. First-year master’s and early- to mid-stage doctoral students are especially encouraged to apply (students completing degrees in May 2025 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
All doctoral students are guaranteed summer funding as per the BUGWU contract. IGS will provide $5,000 of the guaranteed summer funding to the summer fellows. We will coordinate with your home schools and colleges to set this up. Please note that as per the rules of the BUGWU contract, the IGS Summer Fellows stipend is part of doctoral students’ summer salary and NOT in addition to it.
All master’s degree students will receive a total of $5k as a stipend for their participation in this fellowship program.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via Google Form by 5 pm on Friday, March 21, 2025 with:
- Your CV
- 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 250-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.
- A copy of your unofficial transcript
- Letter of support from supervisor:
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 2025.
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 (or are not allowed due to your current funding) a stipend you can still be selected as a fellow and participate in the program.
When are applications due, and when will candidates find out if they have been selected?
The application due date is 5 pm on Friday, March 21, 2025. Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their applications by early April.
What are the dates of the program?
The program starts on Thursday, May 22, and ends on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
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 early April. Applications are evaluated based on the selection rubric (Word document).
Can I apply for a 2025 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.
