Applications are now being accepted for DENIN's doctoral fellowship program

1:11 p.m., Feb. 25, 2016--The Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) invites science, engineering and social science doctoral students at the University of Delaware to apply for the DENIN Environmental Fellows Program. 

The 2016 fellowships begin in September and will provide two years of support for up to five students to conduct environmentally relevant research that shows a direct link with societal needs and benefits. 

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

• Doctoral hooding
• Old Swedes
• Summer SAT, ACT prep
• 'Opus 13' pre-sale

“The DENIN Fellows are an inspiring group of future leaders and agents of change,” said Jeanette Miller, associate director of DENIN. “We are excited to select a new group in 2016.” 

DENIN Fellows work together in ways that complement their primary academic programs. Fellows are expected to participate in and lead a select number of events and activities each year, such as symposia or seminar series. DENIN will provide opportunities for professional development and networking with domestic and international scientists and leaders.

“Becoming a DENIN Fellow has broadened my horizons to the academic resources at UD and within DENIN,” said Corie Charpentier, a student in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, who was one of four fellows selected in 2015.

“For instance, participating in last fall’s DENIN Dialogue with Fabio Feldmann was much different than any professional event that I have experienced in graduate school thus far.” 

Feldmann, a United Nations’ Global 500 awardee and a leader in environmental policy from Brazil, visited campus last October for an onstage interview at Mitchell Hall as part of the DENIN Dialogue speaker series. In addition to the public talk, the DENIN Fellows were invited to a small group discussion with Feldmann and his interviewer, Dan Parke, a UD alumnus who now is the director general of Agência Estado, Latin America’s largest real-time news agency.

“I was given the opportunity to participate in an in-depth, environmentally relevant discussion with international politicians, journalists and scientists,” Charpentier said. “What could be more enlightening to a budding environmental scientist?”

The fellowships include a $30,000 annual stipend. A cost-of-education allowance is also permitted; applicants may request up to $6,680 per year to be used for tuition, research supplies or research-related trips. 

Charpentier is looking forward to attending two international conferences this year herself. 

“DENIN will allow me to share my work as well as network with scientists in my field,” she said. “Any chance to travel and meet new people can open doors to new research or career opportunities.”

Fellows will be selected by a committee of internal and external reviewers. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on April 11. For complete application instructions, visit the DENIN Environmental Fellows webpage.

Questions about the fellowships should be directed to Miller at jeanette@udel.edu.

The 2016 DENIN Environmental Fellows Program is supported by Delaware’s National Science Foundation EPSCoR grant, the Unidel Foundation and private philanthropy. 

Article by Tom Aristone

Photo courtesy of Corie Charpentier