The Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy is seeking proposals from UMass Lowell faculty members and students interested in pursuing sustainability-related research, education, or engagement projects for its Fellowship Program.

The Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy brings together the University’s efforts across climate change mitigation, resilience, and energy innovation and formalizes partnerships between the Office of Sustainability, the Climate Change Initiative, and renewable energy engineering. The Institute integrates UML’s research, education, and action on important issues associated with sustainability. It strengthens and coordinates opportunities for students through innovative sustainability education and real-world student-led projects.

Past awarded Fellowships:

Apply for a Rist Institute for Sustainability & Energy Fellowship

This application portal is currently closed. Check back for updates to our 2023 Fellowship Application timelines.

Please select the intended Fellowship position below to review application requirements.

For more information, please email: sustainability@uml.edu.

  • UMass Lowell undergraduate students are invited to submit a brief proposal describing a research, education, or engagement project that furthers sustainability on the UMass Lowell campus and beyond. 

    UMass Lowell is the only public university in Massachusetts with Full Observer Status to the UNFCC Conference of Parties (COP) Climate Negotiations. Increased student and faculty involvement with the COP is essential to our work moving forward. We particularly welcome student applications that present unique and innovative ways of engaging with UN climate negotiations and conference. Examples could include attending the conference to showcase UMass Lowell’s work, reporting back to the UMass Lowell community on the status of the negotiations, or pre/post events on campus or in the community.

    Other proposed project areas include, but are not limited to projects that:

    • Reduce UMass Lowell’s greenhouse gas emissions;
    • Engage the student body with our sustainability-related initiatives;
    • Enhance partnerships between the University and the City of Lowell to move shared sustainability goals forward; or
    • Conduct new sustainability-related research.

    Submissions should include:

    • A project description not to exceed one page;
    • A brief timeline and budget justification (not to exceed an additional page).
    • A brief resume that provides evidence of qualifications needed to execute the proposed project.
    • A letter of support from a faculty mentor who will advise the RISE Undergraduate Fellow throughout the project.

    Rist Institute for Sustainability & Energy Undergraduate Fellows will be awarded $5,000 that can be used for a stipend or to provide financial support for their project.

    Application deadline is Friday, July 15, 2022.

    Please submit application materials through the Fellowship Online Application Form.

    Please email: Sustainability@uml.edu with any questions.

  • UMass Lowell graduate students are invited to submit a brief proposal describing a research, education, or engagement project that furthers sustainability on the UMass Lowell campus and beyond.

    UMass Lowell is the only public university in Massachusetts with Full Observer Status to the UNFCC Conference of Parties (COP) Climate Negotiations. Increased student and faculty involvement with the COP is essential to our work moving forward. We particularly welcome student applications that present unique and innovative ways of engaging with UN climate negotiations and conference. Examples could include attending the conference to showcase UMass Lowell’s work, reporting back to the UMass Lowell community on the status of the negotiations, or pre/post events on campus or in the community.

    Other proposed project areas include, but are not limited to projects that:

    • Reduce UMass Lowell’s greenhouse gas emissions;
    • Engage the student body with our sustainability-related initiatives;
    • Enhance partnerships between the University and the City of Lowell to move shared sustainability goals forward; or
    • Conduct new sustainability-related research.

    Submissions should include:

    • A project description not to exceed one page;
    • A brief timeline and budget justification (not to exceed an additional page).
    • A brief resume that provides evidence of qualifications needed to execute the proposed project; 
    • A letter of support from a faculty mentor who will advise the RISE Graduate Fellow throughout the project.

    Rist Institute for Sustainability & Energy Graduate Fellows will be awarded $12,000 that can be used for a stipend or to provide financial support for their project. 

    Application deadline is Friday, July 15, 2022.

    Please submit application materials through the Fellowship Online Application Form.

    Please email: Sustainability@uml.edu with any questions.

  • UMass Lowell faculty members are invited to submit a brief proposal describing a research, education, or engagement project that furthers sustainability on the UMass Lowell campus and beyond. Proposed project areas include, but are not limited to projects that:

    • We are especially interested in applications that will enhance UMass Lowell’s core climate, energy, and sustainability education offerings. With a new sustainability degree in the development stage, existing sustainability-focused minors and major concentrations, and the Doctoral program in Earth Systems Science, we see significant opportunity and interest in complementary education programs. Examples could include a graduate certificate, fully online minors, or industry/corporate training programs.
    • Develop preliminary research or external funding to bring new sustainability-related research to UMass Lowell or
    • Enhance partnerships with the City of Lowell or Commonwealth that expand research and education-related opportunities for students and faculty.

    Submissions should include:

    • A project description and relevant qualifications not to exceed one page;
    • A brief timeline and budget justification (not to exceed an additional page).

    Rist Institute for Sustainability & Energy Faculty Fellows will receive $15,000 that can be used for a course buy-out or to provide financial support for their proposed project.

    Application deadline is Friday, July 15, 2022.

    Please submit application materials through the Fellowships Online Application Form.

    Please email: Sustainability@uml.edu with any questions.