Funding
MS and PhD students are funded by a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships that cover a stipend, health insurance, and graduate tuition and fees. Financial support is not available for MPS students.
It is important to recognize that financial support for MS and PhD students in the Field of Natural Resources often depends on whether the student’s faculty advisor has financial support for a research assistantship. Each assistantship and fellowship may differ in the amount and duration of support (e.g., whether or not summer funding is included). In addition, some types of funding directly support the student’s research whereas other financial support may require work on a different research project or serving as a teaching assistant. Eligible students should apply for government (e.g., NSF for US students, Fulbright for international students), private, and Cornell fellowships, and be sure to discuss funding with a prospective advisor. Once you are admitted, we will provide details about your funding package for the predicted duration of your graduate studies.
Funding Categories
Research Assistantships (RAs): RAs perform non-thesis research on a faculty’s research project.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs): GRAs perform research directly related to their thesis or dissertation.
RAs and GRAs are awarded to students by individual faculty members, usually their advisor (also referred to as chair of their special committee). Funding for these research assistantships is typically provided by a research grant to the faculty member, and the graduate student participates as part of the research team. RAs and GRAs are available to MS and PhD students only.
RA and GRA assignments follow the university calendar rather than the academic year calendar. When the university is closed for official university holidays, RAs and GRAs are not expected to perform assistantship duties. In situations where students are required to perform duties on university holidays, the faculty supervisor and student should make arrangements for other time off. If a student needs time away from his/her duties, he/she should confer with the faculty supervisor to establish a schedule to make up the time. Summer assistantships carry a 10-week assignment with 13-week pay period. For more detailed information, see the Graduate Student Assistantships policy website.
Teaching Assistantships (TAs): TAs help a faculty member teach a course.
Teaching Assistantships in Natural Resources and the Environment are awarded to students by the Department Chair, based on requests by faculty for support for their graduate students and on the needs of specific courses. Graduate students interested in a TA should discuss available options with the chair of their special committee during the Spring semester prior to the academic year when support is needed. Some graduate students serve as TAs for courses in other departments (e.g., Introductory Biology courses). Graduate students interested in TA positions in other Departments should contact the relevant department.
Fellowships
Fellowships are designated for specific categories of students and are awarded competitively. Most fellowships are provided by a government agency or non-profit organization, although several fellowships are awarded through Cornell University. Requirements for these fellowships vary depending on the source of funding. Following are some internal and external fellowships that have provided support for Natural Resources and the Environment graduate students:
Cornell University Graduate Fellowship: One academic year fellowship for an entering PhD student with superior academic credentials. No work requirement. During the admission process, students are nominated by their prospective graduate advisor.
Presidential Life Science Fellowships: The Presidential Life Fellowship (PLSF) promotes broad and integrative inquiry by providing a novel platform for first year graduate students to launch an integrated system for research and education that brings together the field of organismal biology, molecular biology, computational sciences, physical sciences/engineering, and social sciences into a common and highly interactive network. The Director of Graduate Studies may nominate outstanding applicants to be considered for this fellowship. Preference is given to interdisciplinary nominees, and there is an expectation of outstanding grades, GRE scores, statements of purpose, and letters of recommendation. The PLSF covers the first two semesters of PhD work and the minimum stipend for the first summer. Awardees are required to rotate in three labs on campus, at least one of which must be outside the anticipated home Field.
Cornell Fellowships in Support of Diversity. Several state and university funded fellowships provide support for US students who are underrepresented in our student body. See the Graduate School webpage.
More information on fellowships can be found on the Graduate School website.
External fellowships. National Science Foundation Fellowships for beginning US PhD students and other external fellowships information can be found here. Limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Additional fellowship opportunities can be found on the Gradate School page or at the UCLA Fellowship Database.