Environmental Studies Internships

2009 Grant Application

One of the major requirements for a B.A. in Environmental Studies is completion of an environmental studies related internship or field study (hereafter "internships"). This experience is intended to help students develop their academic focus, in many cases providing material for a BA thesis, and to provide skills relevant to post-graduation employment. A modest grant is available to students who provide a cogent, credible internship proposal that speaks to their academic and professional trajectory. The deadline for applications is Monday, April 6, 2009 at 4:00 PM.

Eligibility: Students in the College who are declared majors or minors in Environmental Studies, with preference given, in order, to third year majors, second year majors, and minors in either year. Funds are very limited, thus some qualified applicants, especially those who are not third year majors, may not receive funding.

Award amounts: The average stipend will be in the range of $1000-$1,500 although awards of up to $3000 may be made in cases where internship expenses are particularly high (for example, when an international airfare is required). Funds will be awarded based on the quality and relevance of the proposal and on financial need.

  • A clear and specific proposal for an internship project
  • A statement about how this internship will further academic work (BA thesis or otherwise) and/or career goals
  • An itemized budget of necessary internship-related expenses including travel and maintenance
  • Financial need

Application Process: Please submit the following items, except for the recommendation letter, in a single email to pge@uchicago.edu by the deadline above; you can include multiple attachments if necessary. Put "Environmental Studies Internship Grant" in the subject line. Please ensure that your recommender's letter is delivered by the deadline, whether by email, hand delivery, or snail mail (PGE, Pick Hall 101, 5828 S. University Ave. Chicago, IL 60637):

  1. Proposal. Please address the following questions in a single essay of 250-500 words.
    • What is your proposed internship/field study plan? (Be specific, and include information on what potential host organizations do as well as what you would be doing within the organization, for how many hours a week, starting when and for how long. If you have already secured an offer from an organization, include this information. If you are in contact with one or more organizations regarding potential placements, provide information on the status of your arrangements and how you will decide among different opportunities. If you do not yet have a placement or your placement falls through, please explain your contingency plan for securing another placement.)
    • How does this internship fit into your academic and/or professional plans?
  2. A budget of projected internship expenses, including travel and living expenses; sources of support (including both guaranteed support and other fellowships and grants for which you have applied but have not received notification); and the amount you are requesting from PGE. Note that PGE cannot support tuition charges for any course for which credit is offered.
  3. A list of contacts at all organizations listed in the proposal, including web, email, and telephone numbers where available.
  4. A C.V. or resume
  5. An informal copy of your transcript
  6. A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with your academic work, preferably someone affiliated with the Environmental Studies Program

Students will be notified no later than Tuesday, April 28th regarding their Environmental Studies Internship Grant.

Students who are awarded internship grants will be required to undertake the proposed activities. If changes are necessary, they must be explicitly approved by the Environmental Studies Program Director or internship coordinator. Recipients of internship grants will also be required to provide a brief account and evaluation of their internship experience upon returning to campus in the fall.

For questions about the application process, please contact pge@uchicago.edu.

Research Opportunity for ENST Majors & Minors

The aim of this project is to construct a "snapshot of the field" of conservation biology by investigating the composition of conservation research projects. The selected student will be an active co-investigator, responsible for helping to refine and pilot the project design, collect and analyze the data, and present the results to colleagues.

Find out more

Students: DIY Conference!

Pending funding, the Program for the Global Environment and the Environmental Studies program will sponsor an undergraduate organized and run conference during the 2008-09 academic year. The program will provide funding, staffing, and advising for this project. We invite interested undergraduates in any major or concentration to submit preliminary proposals.