Graduate Fellowships in Natural Resources, Engineering and Energy Poverty

We are recruiting 3 Ph.D. students and 1 M.S. Student interested in the intersection of energy poverty with natural resources (1 Ph.D. and 1 M.S.) and with energy/environmental engineering (2 Ph.D.).  Students are expected to matriculate either in Fall 2018 or Fall 2019 in order to participate.  Due to the funding source, there is a strong preference for US citizens and permanent residents. The Fellows will become part of an interdisciplinary cohort that will benefit from disciplinary training and scholarship at NCSU (in Natural Resources or Engineering) and at UNC-CH (Anthropology, Environment and Ecology, Geography, Public Policy, or Sociology) and mentoring in diverse research and teaching methods. In addition there is a wider partnership with other institutions in North Carolina, and University partners in Southern Africa.

Expectations for Fellows

  • Completion of all required coursework in home department; in this case Forestry and Environmental Resources, or Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. Additional opportunities are offered for a minor in Forest Biomaterials.
  • Participation in bi-weekly Energy Poverty Graduate Seminar (1 credit) for 4 years (2 years for MS)
  • Completion of Graduate Certificate in Impact Evaluation
  • Participation in international fieldwork preparation short courses
  • Intensive language training (Chichewa, Bemba, or Shona)
  • Conduct research in Southern Africa
  • Completion of Annual Progress Reports
  • Serve as a Teaching Assistant in your ‘home’ department for 2-4 semesters

Participating Departments/Faculty

The following are the faculty and Departments that are recruiting Fellows. Students will have one of these faculty as their primary faculty advisor.

Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering (Dr. Andrew Grieshop)

Forestry and Environmental Resources (Dr. Erin Sills )

Forest Biomaterials (Dr. Steve Kelley)

Financial and Other Support

Financial support will come from the National Science Foundation and NCSU. Fellows will receive the following benefits:

  • Graduate stipend of $27,500/year (12 months) for up to 4 years for PhD, and 2 years with a stipend of $22,500/year for MS (contingent upon satisfactory progress)
  • Tuition, Fees, Health Insurance
  • Travel funds in 2 of 4 years for PhD and 1 of 2 years for MS to participate in EPPSA research in Southern Africa (airfare, per diem, visa fees, incidental expenses)
  • Access to competitive conference travel fund

Application Process for Prospective Students

Interested students must first apply for admission to the graduate program in one of the participating departments:  Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, or Forestry and Environmental Resources. Admission to one of those departments is a requirement for becoming a Fellow.  Prospective students should signal an interest in becoming a Fellow by contacting Dr. Grieshop, Dr. Kelley, or Dr. Sills directly. In addition, students should also provide a 2-page Statement of Interest specifically addressing their research interest in energy poverty in developing countries by January 15, 2018.

Application Process for Matriculated Students

Already matriculated students in their first year of graduate study in one of the participating departments may also apply. In this case please send your 2-page statement articulating your interest in energy poverty in developing countries, relevant coursework and experience, your GRE scores, and citizenship/residency status to Dr. Grieshop, Dr. Kelley, or Dr. Sills.

 

If you have questions, please email eppsa@unc.edu.