Program Information

2021 Great Lakes Summer Fellows Program

The Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) announces the 2021 Great Lakes Summer Fellows Program, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL). The Great Lakes Summer Fellows Program exposes students to a broad range of disciplines and provides an exciting opportunity for students to conduct research in the Great Lakes region under the mentorship of a CIGLR or GLERL scientist. We seek to use these fellowships to increase diversity in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and math) and strongly encourage applications from students who identify with groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in government and academic workforces.

Description:

  • We are offering eight (8) full-time, twelve-week positions.
  • The fellowship program will be conducted virtually to ensure health and safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. CIGLR will ensure that all students have the computing resources needed to carry out their work.
  • If local conditions and safety guidelines issued by NOAA and the University of Michigan allow, students may petition CIGLR to work in person. Students working in person will be located at the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), 4840 South State Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, about 4 miles south of the University of Michigan central campus. The fellow accepted to Project 8 may choose in-person work at The Ohio State University or NOAA GLERL.
  • Fellowships will begin on May 17 and end on August 6.
  • Each student will receive a $10,000 stipend, paid in four monthly installments of $2,500. Stipend pay dates will be: 5/17/21, 6/14/21, 7/12/21, and 8/19/21.
  • Each student will receive financial support for travel to and from Ann Arbor, if in-person work or a short-term visit to NOAA GLERL is possible.
  • We will provide assistance to students in need of local transportation to/from the work site while in Ann Arbor (if applicable).
  • Click here for 2021 Summer Fellows position descriptions

Eligibility:

  • The program is limited to currently-enrolled undergraduate (juniors and seniors as of Fall 2021) and graduate students (Master’s and Ph.D). We will also consider post-baccalaureate or post-masters students who have graduated within the past 12 months of the fellowship (i.e., May 2020 or after), if the position fits directly within a student’s career or academic goals.
  • You must be either a U.S. citizen or a foreign national who is residing in the U.S. on a current Student Visa.
  • Immediate relatives of any CIGLR or NOAA GLERL employees are not eligible to participate in this program, consistent with NOAA guidelines.

Other Requirements:

  • Fellows are required to give a 15-minute presentation at the end of the fellowship period.
  • Fellows are responsible for securing and paying the costs of housing for the duration of the fellowship. Housing costs are figured into the stipend amount. 

Application Process:

  • Applications are submitted through an online application process. Visit the Position Description page for the application link.
  • The following materials must be uploaded along with the application:
    1. Cover letter
    2. Résumé
    3. Unofficial transcript
    4. Essay (max. 400 words) describing an obstacle you have had to overcome
    5. Names and contact information for two (2) references
    6. One (1) letter of recommendation*
      *Note: Letters can also be sent directly to Mary Ogdahl ([email protected]) if that is preferred by the letter writer.
  • Applicants will be asked to identify and rank up to three (3) projects to which they would like to apply.
  • Project mentors will review the applications once they are submitted. After an initial review, the project mentor will conduct phone interviews with the top candidates to discuss the project in more detail and ensure match in interest and skills.
  • For specific questions about each opportunity, please contact the position mentors directly. Email addresses are provided with the position descriptions.
  • Applicants will be notified of their status by 26 March 2021.

Deadline:
Applications must be submitted by 19 February 2021 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Time).

Have questions? Check out the FAQ page

Contact Information:
Mary Ogdahl, Program Manager
Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research
University of Michigan
440 Church Street, G110 Dana Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1041
Ph: 734-763-3010 | Email: [email protected]

 The University of Michigan is a non-discriminatory/affirmative action employer.