Diversity Fellowship (PhD Assistantship related to Global Change)
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
| Job Type | Student / postdoc |
| Salary Details | $33,720 |
| Deadline | Mar 01, 2024 |
| Required Experience | 2 - 6 years |
Learn more at: https://globalchange.vt.edu/graduate/graduate-funding-opportunities/diversity-fellowship.html
During the 2024-25 academic year, the Global Change Center (GCC) will award two graduate assistantships to new Ph.D. students from underrepresented groups focusing on the social and/or environmental challenges associated with rapid global changes such as pollution, invasive species, climate change, and habitat loss. Award funds will be used to support interdisciplinary training between August 2024 and August 2025.
Assistantships are valued at approximately $50,000+, including 12 months of graduate stipend (GRA Step 17, FY23=$33,720) paid by the Fralin Life Sciences Institute (FLSI), and in-state tuition, technology fee, library fee and mandatory program fees paid for by the Virginia Tech Graduate School. Graduate students who sign up for health insurance through the university are eligible for an additional health insurance subsidy of 88%, currently valued at ~$2,880. Comprehensive fees, research, travel, and associated expenses will remain the responsibility of the student and mentor.
Eligibility: Incoming first-year PhD student (to begin in the Fall 2024 term) from underrepresented groups are eligible to apply if a) they have identified a faculty mentor, preferably a GCC affiliated faculty member, to supervise and financially support their graduate studies, b) have applied for admission to the Virginia Tech Graduate School and to their faculty mentor’s home department and, c) intend to fully participate in the Interfaces of Global Change Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program (IGC IGEP) upon arrival at Virginia Tech.
**Acceptance of a Diversity Fellowship will result in automatic acceptance into the IGC IGEP upon admission to Virginia Tech.**
Deadline for applications is 5 pm EST on March 1st, 2024. Incomplete, late, or incorrectly formatted applications will not be considered. Notification of awards will be made by the end of March.
Application procedure: All applications must include (in this order):
1. Student Materials:
- The one-page Cover Sheet (see below)
- The applicant’s CV, including undergraduate GPA (and past graduate GPA if relevant)
- An application letter, not to exceed 1 page (11-point font), that is divided into 2 sections that address these topics:
- Personal Statement: Description of your personal and professional background, professional aspirations, and why a diversity fellowship and admission to the IGC IGEP will advance your professional goals.
- Interdisciplinary Research Statement: Describe how your research interests are related to global change, interdisciplinary in nature, and how you see your research benefitting society and/or underserved communities.
2. A letter of support from the applicant’s graduate mentor, not to exceed 1 page, that explains:
- The applicant’s suitability for a diversity fellowship and admission to the IGC IGEP, to include any notable past accomplishments that suggest they will succeed in a Ph.D. program.
- A clear description of a multi-year funding plan for the student beyond the first year of support provided by the diversity fellowship. Students are not eligible for the fellowship or admission into the IGC IGEP without a clear funding plan. If departmental support (e.g., Graduate teaching assistantships) is part of the applicant’s funding plan, the letter must be co-signed by an appropriate departmental representative (dept. head or graduate coordinator).
The letter of support should be sent as a PDF file directly to the GCC Program Coordinator, Bri Wills; E-mail address: bmwills@vt.edu.
The student’s application (Items 1-3 above) should be submitted as a single pdf file by e-mail to GCC Program Coordinator, Bri Wills; E-mail address: bmwills@vt.edu.
Label files as LAST NAME_DiversityFellowshipApplication_2024.
When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.
| Category | General / Stewardship |
| Tags | Climate Change |
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