Grant opportunity
Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability 2027
Cornell Atkinson is accepting applications for its 2027 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability, supporting early-career scholars who pair rigorous academic research with an external partnership for real-world sustainability impact.
- Funder
- Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
- Applications and recommendation letters due by 20 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
- Applications and recommendation letters due by 20 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET: Oct 20, 2026
- Award
- Three-year appointment; USD 65,000 salary per year, Cornell employee benefits, and USD 12,000 per year for research and travel expenses
- Applicant
- Early-career scholars with a PhD in a field relevant to the proposed sustainability research by the fellowship start date and normally no earlier than May 1, 2025; applicants must secure a PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner.
- Discipline
- Environment, Climate and Natural Resources
- Region
- United States / Global
- Posted
- Jul 9, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability supports a cohort of creative early-career scholars whose research contributes directly to solving major sustainability challenges. Fellows work with a Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner organisation.
Who can apply
Applicants must have, or expect to have, a PhD in a field relevant to the proposed research by the fellowship start date and no earlier than May 1, 2025 for this cycle. Each applicant must secure one PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor and one external partner at the time of application.
What it supports
- Sustainability research
- External partner collaboration
- Cornell faculty mentorship
- Three-year full-time postdoctoral appointment
Funding and duration
- The fellowship provides USD 65,000 per year in salary, full Cornell employee benefits, and USD 12,000 per year for research and travel expenses. Second- and third-year support depends on satisfactory progress and availability of funding.
Applications and recommendation letters due by 20 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Applications and recommendation letters due by 20 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET: Oct 20, 2026
How to apply
Submit the online application form and ensure all recommendation letters are received by 20 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Call details
Source-based overview
Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowships support early-career scholars committed to discovery that contributes directly to sustainability solutions. Fellows work with a Cornell faculty mentor and an external organisation and join a cohort receiving professional development in science communication, career strategy and collaborative leadership. The 2027 cycle closes on 20 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Eligibility
Applicants must have, or expect to have, a PhD in a field relevant to the proposed research by the fellowship start date and no earlier than May 1, 2025 for this cycle. Each applicant must secure one PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor and one external partner at the time of application.
Funding and benefits
The fellowship provides USD 65,000 per year in salary, full Cornell employee benefits, and USD 12,000 per year for research and travel expenses. Second- and third-year support depends on satisfactory progress and availability of funding.
Themes and supported activities
Sustainability research
External partner collaboration
Cornell faculty mentorship
Three-year full-time postdoctoral appointment
Deadline and timeline
Applications and recommendation letters due by 20 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET: Applications and recommendation letters due by 20 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET: Oct 20, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Submit the online application form and ensure all recommendation letters are received by 20 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.