The Global Sustainability Scholars program brings together talented undergraduates for a paid summer immersive experience, where students travel abroad, conduct research, and build their professional network in real-world sustainability issues.  

Each year we select undergraduates to join a GSS cohort and the larger international sustainability solutions community. Scholars get paid over two summers while focusing their training and research on a theme within Sustainability. The 2022 cohort will focus on Ocean Sustainability. 

GSS Scholars must be in their third year of study (Juniors) of undergraduate studies, currently enrolled, in good standing academically, and working toward their first undergraduate degree in sustainability sciences or related fields.

GSS Schoars must be U.S. citizens and have the proper legal documentation to travel abroad (passport).

Q&A

Who can apply?

Applicants should be currently enrolled in their third year of college or the equivalence of Junior year at an accredited four-year college or university. Community college students will be considered if the applicant can show official acceptance and plan to attend an accredited four-year college the following year.

As stated in our mission, we are interested in training a new generation of diverse and inclusive sustainability scientists. To that end, for U.S. applicants we are looking for scholars who are historically underrepresented in STEM fields, including but not limited to students who identify as Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hispanic or Latinx, female, first generation college students.

GSS also welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender students; students who have experienced, and worked to overcome, educational or economic disadvantage and/or have personal or family circumstances that may complicate their continued progress in research careers.

No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status. 

 I Understand That the Program Pays a Stipend, but What Are the Costs That the Students Are Directly Responsible For?

The Global Sustainability Scholars program for undergraduates pays for one round-trip ticket from your home to the program and all air travel to and from the program site, plus on-site lodging during the first 10-week summer experience. The second summer internships will have a very similar setup – Travel to the site, stipend for participation and depending on the location of where they will be interning, lodging will be completely paid for.  Students will be responsible for luggage fees at the airport as well as their own incidentals including toiletries, snacks, souvenirs, and other personal purchases.

When Will the Program Start and End?

The program dates are May 23, 2022, through July 29th, 2022. The dates for the second summer will be similar, but to be confirmed.