Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in the USA | Fully Funded Sustainability Research Fellowship

Applications are now open for the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability 2027, a prestigious fully funded three-year postdoctoral fellowship hosted by the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability at Cornell University, USA. The fellowship supports outstanding early-career researchers committed to developing innovative solutions to global sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary research and real-world collaboration.

Unlike many traditional postdoctoral positions, Cornell Atkinson Fellows work closely with both a Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner organization, enabling them to bridge academic research with practical impact. Fellows also participate in the Sustainability Leadership Program, which provides training in science communication, collaborative leadership, and career development.

Fellowship Overview

• Host Country: United States
• Host Institution: Cornell University
• Host Center: Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
• Programme: Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability
• Fellowship Type: Fully Funded
• Duration: Three years
• Study Level: Postdoctoral Research
• Number of Fellowships: Up to four fellows selected annually
• Research Start Date: Between 1 June and 1 September 2027
• Application Deadline: 20 October 2026 (5:00 p.m. ET)

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• Annual salary of USD 65,000
• Full Cornell University employee benefits
• USD 12,000 per year for research and travel expenses
• Three-year postdoctoral appointment (subject to satisfactory annual progress)
• Professional development through the Sustainability Leadership Program
• Career strategy and science communication training
• Collaborative leadership workshops
• Access to Cornell University’s world-class research facilities
• Opportunities to work with leading sustainability experts and partner organizations.

Research Areas

Applicants may propose projects aligned with Cornell Atkinson’s major sustainability priorities, including topics such as:

• Climate change
• Biodiversity and ecosystems
• Food systems
• Energy transitions
• Water resources
• Sustainable agriculture
• Environmental health
• Natural resource management
• Circular economy
• Sustainability policy

Interdisciplinary and solution-oriented research is strongly encouraged.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD or expect to receive one within two years prior to the fellowship start date.
• Be an early-career researcher with outstanding academic achievements.
• Secure one PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor before applying.
• Secure one external partner organization willing to collaborate on the proposed research.
• Demonstrate strong potential for interdisciplinary sustainability research.

Please note: The fellowship is not open to current Cornell postdoctoral researchers or Cornell PhD graduates, as the programme is intended to attract exceptional scholars from outside Cornell University.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Online application form
• Project abstract (250 words)
• Applicant background and career goals statement
• Research proposal (maximum 1,000 words)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• One letter of support from the Cornell faculty mentor
• One letter from the external partner organization
• Two additional recommendation letters (including one from the doctoral advisor, unless an exception is approved).

Sustainability Leadership Program

In addition to conducting research, fellows participate in Cornell’s Sustainability Leadership Program (SLP), which includes:

• Science communication training
• Collaborative leadership workshops
• Professional networking
• Career planning
• Public engagement strategies
• Interdisciplinary collaboration

Participants complete multiple in-person and online workshops each year to strengthen leadership and research impact.

Residency Requirement

Fellows are expected to:

• Be based primarily in Ithaca, New York
• Spend the majority of their time on the Cornell campus
• Participate actively in Cornell Atkinson research activities, seminars, and community events
• Conduct fieldwork and partner visits as required by their research projects.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Academic excellence
• Research originality
• Potential for real-world sustainability impact
• Strength of the Cornell faculty mentorship
• Quality of collaboration with the external partner
• Interdisciplinary approach
• Leadership potential.

Application Timeline

How to Apply

1. Identify a Cornell faculty member willing to serve as your mentor.
2. Secure an external partner organization for your proposed project.
3. Prepare your research proposal and supporting documents.
4. Complete the online application form.
5. Arrange for all recommendation letters to be submitted before the deadline.
6. Submit your application by 20 October 2026 (5:00 p.m. ET).

   The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 offers an exceptional opportunity for emerging researchers to advance high-impact sustainability research at one of the world’s leading universities. With a competitive salary, dedicated research funding, professional leadership training, and the unique opportunity to collaborate with both academic and external partners, the fellowship prepares scholars to translate research into meaningful environmental and societal solutions. If you are passionate about interdisciplinary sustainability research and creating real-world impact, this prestigious three-year fellowship at Cornell University is an opportunity worth pursuing.