Research Fellowships and Scholarships
NOTE: EPA resources for the Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Undergraduate Fellowships and Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study are no longer available. For historical information, please search for the GRO and STAR Fellowship page in the EPA Web Archive.
On this page:
Fellowships
On this page:
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowships
- Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)/EPA Environmental Health Fellowship Program
- National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Resident Research Associateship Program
- National Science Foundation Internship Opportunities at EPA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellowships
- Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program
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
- Environmental management and administration;
- Environmental science; and
- Public relations and communications.
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.
Learn more about AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)/EPA Environmental Health Fellowship Program
EPA and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), formerly the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), sponsor the ASPPH Environmental Health Fellowship Program, a professional development program to provide training and opportunities for early career public health professionals by enabling them to work in EPA on current and emerging environmental public health needs. The program is open to professionals who have graduated within the past five years from a U.S. school of public health that is an ASPPH member. These placements will be for one year, with a possible one-year extension. ASPPH/EPA fellows work closely with nationally recognized experts who work to protect the environment. Applications are accepted by ASPPH from December through January of each year.
Learn more about ASPPH/EPA Environmental Health Fellowship Program.
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.
National Science Foundation Internship Opportunities at EPA
The National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Graduate Research Internship Program (GRIP) in partnership with federal agencies to provide professional development and career preparation for NSF Graduate Research Fellows. NSF also supports federal student internships through the “Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity”. NSF research grantees may collaborate with federal agencies to develop an internship for graduate students.
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) - Graduate Research Internship Program (GRIP)
- NSF Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity
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 opportunities are available year-round to science and engineering undergrads, grad students, recent grads and post-docs.
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education ORISE Internship/Research Participation Programs at EPA
- List of all current ORISE research opportunities at EPA
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.
Scholarships
Tribal Lands Environmental Science Scholarship Program
The Tribal Lands program enables Native Americans to work for the environmental protection of tribal lands by assisting them in their pursuit of environmental science degrees. Full-time junior, senior, and graduate students majoring in an environmental discipline are eligible to compete for the scholarships. Students compete based on grade-point average, knowledge of Indian culture, commitment to environmental protection, character and leadership ability, level of study, and work experience.
EPA works with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) to select the scholarship winners. Students wishing to apply should do so through AISES, which has chapters on many college campuses. Applications must be postmarked by June 15th each year.