U-RISE Graduate School Opportunities
Undergraduate Research

Funded graduate student opportunities at the Food-Energy-Water Nexus, University of Montana, encourage native applicants

American Indian or Alaska Native applicants with interest in pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) graduate degrees are strongly encouraged to apply to participate in a graduate traineeship at the University of Montana. The NSF-funded program, UM BRIDGES: Bridging Divides across the Food, Energy, and Water Nexus, trains the next generation of leaders and researchers working to solve complex food, energy, and water problems and prepares graduate students to succeed in a range of science and science-related jobs through an interdisciplinary training program.

Fellowships are available for PhD and MS students in STEM disciplines, including in the Departments of Ecosystem & Conservation Sciences, Geosciences, Economics, Environmental Studies, Forest Management, and Society & Conservation. Fellows will receive 1-3 years of a living stipend ($34K/year), tuition scholarship, and research support (travel, supplies); take coursework on the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus and workshops to develop professional and research skills; participate in other traineeship activities; be engaged with an intellectual community and cohort of other graduate students interested in the FEW nexus, and conduct disciplinary and interdisciplinary research related to the FEW nexus in consultation with their graduate advisor.

Example research themes include, but are in no way limited to: FEW issues and trade-offs in river and rangeland systems; energy transitions and implications for agriculture and water; drought management in the face of climate change uncertainty; and tribal and indigenous issues at the FEW nexus.

Students will apply to and be based in participating graduate program departments, and interested students should contact participating UM BRIDGES Faculty 6-12 months before they hope to enroll at UM. Additional information, including contact information for participating faculty, eligibility requirements, and application procedures, can be found at http://www.umt.edu/bridges/. The University of Montana is regarded as a top research university for native students and encourages applicants from all underrepresented groups in STEM fields. 

Source: UM-Bridges Marketing Materials