Last updated May 8, 2022
Next in my series on How to Fully Fund Your PhD, I provide a list of universities that offer full funding for PhD programs in Environmental Conservation fields. This field focuses on ways to protect the natural environment through individuals, organizations, and governments. After obtaining a PhD in Environmental Conservation, you can pursue work in academia, consulting, or nonprofits with an environmental focus.
“Full funding” is a financial aid package for full-time students that includes tuition remission and an annual stipend or salary for the 3-6 year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Funding is typically offered in exchange for graduate teaching and research work that is complementary to your studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, which is why I recommend researching the financial aid offerings of all the potential Ph.D. programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.
You can also find several external fellowships in the ProFellow database for graduate and doctoral study, as well as dissertation research, fieldwork, language study, and summer work experience.
Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards!
Boston University, Graduate School of Arts and Science (Boston, MA): The Graduate School of Arts & Science guarantees five years of full funding for Ph.D. students. Funding is met through a combination of research assistantships, teaching fellowships, and other internal and external graduate scholarships. Funding consists of full coverage of tuition, a living stipend, and basic health insurance.
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs (New York, NY): Full-tuition fellowships with stipends are available for all admitted students who are not already sponsored by their governments, employers, or a foundation.
The University of California – Irvine (Irvine, CA): Students who are admitted into the PhD Programs in Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy are offered a commitment of funding support for years 1-5, composed of a combination of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships to provide graduate student tuition, most fees*, and a stipend.
The University of California – Los Angeles, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (Los Angeles, CA): All students making satisfactory progress in the program will be fully funded for the duration of their studies. Funding through a variety of sources including faculty research grants, fellowships, teaching assistantships, or other sources.
The University of California – San Diego, Scripps Institute of Oceanography (San Diego, CA): Scripps typically offers a five-year guaranteed financial package that includes stipend/salary, tuition, and nonresident supplemental tuition. US citizens and permanent residents who are not California residents are typically awarded one year of nonresident supplemental tuition, after which they are then expected to become California residents.
Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (New Haven, CT): Doctoral students at YSE receive five years of guaranteed funding, independent of any faculty research grants, allowing doctoral students the intellectual freedom to explore the environmental issues that most inspire them. Funding packages consist of a stipend ($32,700 for the 2020-2021 academic year), full tuition coverage, and health insurance.
Need some tips for the application process? See my article How To Get Into a Fully Funded PhD Program: Contacting Potential PhD Advisors.
Also, sign up to discover and bookmark more than 1700 professional and academic fellowships in the ProFellow database.
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