2024-25 Research Fellowships

Completed summer 2024, fall 2024, and spring 2025 applications due March 1, 2024. Applications are now closed.!

The Bailey College of the Environment (COE) Research Fellowship Program allows current Wesleyan undergraduate students to undertake research on environmental topics under the guidance of a faculty mentor during summer OR fall or spring semesters. The projects must relate to any of the broad themes covered by environmental studies and the Bailey College of the Environment. The scope of environmental topics is intended to be interpreted broadly; research may be undertaken using techniques, approaches, and paradigms from all majors or major programs. Fellowships are available to all current Wesleyan first-years, sophomores, and juniors, regardless of major or intended major, and may be undertaken at Wesleyan or off-campus. Students must be current Wesleyan undergraduate students for the duration of the opportunity.

Some examples of Bailey COE-supported opportunities might include: studying organic farming in California, conducting research in a science lab at Wesleyan, undertaking an environmental justice art project in Costa Rica, writing an environmental-themed play, or researching the economics of a carbon tax with a professor at Wesleyan. Read about some of our past fellowship recipients!

The Bailey COE summer fellowship program runs for eight weeks from June 3 to July 26, 2024. Full summer research fellows working on campus or in Connecticut are expected to work full time with a half-hour unpaid lunch (37.5 hours/week), at $17.50 per hour, for a total of $5000. Each fellow’s daily schedule should be determined in collaboration with their faculty mentor but cannot exceed the specified hours. Research fellows working out of state or out of the country will receive a stipend, paid in two sums (half in May and half in July) for a total of $5000. Fall and spring semester fellowships run for the duration of the semester and typically involve working with a Wesleyan faculty member or a local organization. Fall and spring semester fellowships are also paid at $17.50 per hour. Total amounts for fall and spring fellowships will vary based upon duration and hours per week spent on research. Fall fellowships may extend into the spring semester but spring fellowships must be completed in the spring semester.

3-Step Application Process: Please note that all three steps must be completed by March 1, 2024, for your application to be considered for a summer 2024, fall 2024 or spring 2025 fellowship:

1. Apply through Handshake with a completed Handshake profile
   
   
2. Complete 2024-25 Bailey COE Fellowship Application here -- now closed
   If you are unable to access the Google form application via the link above, please access the application questions here and email your answers to lkenney01@wesleyan.edu by March 1, 2024.
   
   
3. Submit two letters of recommendation via email
   The student application must include two short letters of recommendation: one from a Wesleyan faculty mentor and one from a second recommender. In addition to recommending the student, the Wesleyan faculty mentor must briefly (1-2 paragraphs) explain the project, its importance and its relevance to her/his research program. Wesleyan faculty mentors can be found across the university and should have expertise in the student's area of study. For example, a student proposing a film project with an environmental focus could reach out to a member of the film faculty. All letters of recommendation must be delivered by March 1, 2024, via email to Laurie Kenney, administrative assistant, Bailey College of the Environment at lkenney01@wesleyan.edu.

The applications, including statements by faculty mentor and second recommender, will be judged by the oversight and awards committee. Decisions will be announced prior to spring break. For further information, please contact Laurie Kenney at lkenney01@wesleyan.edu.