Opportunities for Students
IFS is committed to training and supporting the next generation of researchers in sustainability. To this end, we provide a number of support opportunities, several of these resources are outlined below. Additional opportunities may be shared via our newsletter, listservs, and on social media. Sign up for our mailing lists by completing this questionnaire and be sure to check out our events page for upcoming seminars and other professional development opportunities.
Interested in more? Check out our list of graduate level courses examining facets of sustainability research taught by ISF faculty affiliates.
ISF Graduate Student Fellowships
ISF is pleased to announce the 2024 ISF Graduate Fellowship competition. For the 2024-2025 academic year, ISF will award two 1-year fellowships. Nominations for these fellowships must be submitted by ISF active faculty affiliates. The review of applications will begin February 5, 2024, and will continue until both fellowships have been successfully awarded. More information is available here. The complete description and submission requirements can be accessed here. Research relevance to current areas of ISF research and the active participation of faculty member in ISF activities will be considered in evaluating applications.
Miriam Stevens (EEE) and Wagner Tamagno Sr. (Toxicology) were selected as the recipients of the (inaugural) 2023-2024 ISF Graduate Fellowships. Miriam Stevens is a 4th year PhD student in Environmental and Ecological Engineering whose research focuses on circular economy development and supply chain analysis of critical materials. Wagner Tamagno is a 1st year PhD student in toxicology researching neurotoxicity. Read about their research, and these fellowships in our featured news. ISF is committed to training of the next generation of researchers in sustainability. We anticipate offering ISF Graduate Fellowships in future years as well. Questions can be directed to ISF Operations Manager Karan Hustedt-Warren.
ISF Graduate Student & Post-Doc Travel or Research Grants
Travel and research grants provide financial support to graduate students and post-doctoral researchers mentored by ISF faculty affiliates, to defray costs for graduate student/post-doctoral researchers to conduct small research projects or to travel and present their research. Conference travel or research project costs undertaken between January 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024 are eligible for Spring 2024 awards. The application portal for Spring 2024 is currently open and will close on April 27, 2024. Additional information, including eligibility requirements and application process can be found here. A direct link to the online application is available here. Questions can be directed to ISF Operations Manager Karan Hustedt-Warren.
ISF-DUIRI Undergraduate Research Internships
Purdue’s Institute for a Sustainable Future (ISF) works in collaboration with the Discovery Undergraduate Research Internship (DUIRI) program to support undergraduate research in areas related to global sustainability. These interdisciplinary projects are overseen by at least two ISF faculty affiliates. By partnering with ISF, mentors and students receive additional support and resources including professional development activities, peer networking opportunities, and poster presentation resources. Students share by biweekly updates to ISF and their mentors regarding their progress throughout the semester.
The application window for Summer 2024 ISF-DUIRI Internships is now open. During the summer, student teams will be responsible for pursuing their research projects, culminating with a poster presentation and one-page abstract/summary of their results. Assuming all requirements are met, each participating student will earn a $5,000 summer term scholarship. For more information, and to apply to an ISF-DUIRI project, please visit the DUIRI website. Additional questions regarding ISF-DUIRI projects and applications can be directed to ISF Operations Manager, Karan Hustedt-Warren.
ISF Annual Research Expo
ISF’s second annual research expo and reception was held October 25, 2023 from 1-5p in the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom. The poster session was held from 1:00-3:00p, followed by a reception. To culminate the event, the water challenges research community led a toast to the new water year.
For a list of Fall 2023 registered posters, click here.
For the Fall 2023 ISF research expo abstract booklet, click here.
The ISF research expo is held annually in the fall semester. Faculty, post-docs, grads and undergraduate students are all welcome to present posters in any area of sustainability research, which broadly speaking, align with one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Those that have received funding through ISF during the prior year are expected to present research posters at the annual expo. The expo provides a great opportunity for networking and to showcase research in sustainability happening across Purdue's campus.
Presentation Resources
Preparing a poster? Presenting at a conference? ISF branded templates and other resources are available on our research presentation resources page.