Students seeking an environmental fellowship will need to research all requirements from the individual program that he or she is interested in. Eligibility guidelines will differ depending on the program and location, but most environmental fellowship programs have a minimal degree and experience requirement. In addition to education, students will have to express his or her desire to make a long lasting impact on environmental issues, and field related experience is generally preferred. There are only a certain number of opportunities available, and students are chosen based on academic excellence, commitment to environmental change, and perseverance.
A bachelor's degree is generally required, and most environmental fellowship programs suggest that students in graduate school should not apply until at least one semester of graduate coursework is completed and he or she is in a degree program. Doctorate candidates are often required to have at least three years of his or her program completed before applying. This level of the program is the most competitive, and students should have his or her career focus and research proposal fully prepared. Students should be well organized and equipped to respond verbally to all questions pertaining to his or her research in environmental studies.
All academic transcripts and previous experience will be required along with an extensive application that usually covers personal, education, experience, and training backgrounds. Many environmental fellowship programs will require the student to write an original essay, which usually must refer to the student's motivation to enter an environmental field as well as his or her plans for the future. At least two professional recommendation letters should be sent along with a recent copy of his or her resume. Some programs may request official transcripts, whereas others may only require copies. Students should inquire about this early on due to the amount of time it may take a school to send out official transcripts.
A team of consultants usually reviews all applications to determine which candidates are best suited for the environmental fellowship. Some of the traits that consultants are looking for may include communication skills, critical thinking, career commitment, leadership experience or potential, and applied focus. After qualifying, students are typically invited to interview with program professionals. Students may receive an acceptance letter and a package that will prepare him or her for the interview process. Denial from one program does not necessarily mean that students will not qualify for other environmental fellowship programs, and the next application should be much easier because the student will be familiarized with the process.
