Semlitz Family Sustainability Fellows Program
2026-27 Call for Applications
Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the
Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
As the scope, pace, and impact of environmental and social issues increase in scale and complexity, there is a growing need for professionals who are able to understand the underlying science of those issues and how best to factor them into innovation and investment decision-making processes that support communities and ecosystems.
Established through the generosity of Stephen Semlitz (ILR ’75, MBA ‘76) & Cathy Glaser (ILR ‘74), the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business jointly administer the Semlitz Family Sustainability Fellows Program (Semlitz Fellows). The program is designed to bring early-career researchers and graduate business students together to prepare for careers in sustainability leadership. Through a combination of coursework, professional development, and experiential learning, Semlitz Fellows learn to make informed choices about where and how to apply sustainability-related decision-making to impact our most pressing challenges, work across scientific and managerial boundaries to achieve that impact, and build a lasting career that affects our economies, environment, and society.
Applications are now being accepted for the third cohort of Semlitz Fellows for the academic year (AY) 2026-2027. Each cohort includes a combination of MBA students and early career researchers (Ph.D. students and/or Postdoctoral scholars). Together, the cohort will deepen skills necessary for identifying and anticipating opportunities and potential pitfalls in sustainability and business to become more adept at navigating the intersection of the fields of science and business to address sustainability issues.
Timeline
- February 9, 4 p.m. ET: Information Session (Register)
- The session will be recorded and made available afterward
- February 27, 5 p.m. ET: Full Proposals Due (Apply)
- March – April: Application Review & Interviews
- April: Candidate Notification
- Beginning of Fall 2026 semester (August): Program start
- May 2027: Program completion
Eligibility
- MBA students: 2nd year Cornell MBA students (in AY 2026-2027)
- Current Ph.D. students and Postdoctoral scholars who are within two years of completing their Ph.D. from a range of fields related to sustainability and have demonstrated interest in engaging with the business community
Application Materials
- Electronic cover sheet
- Resume/CV
- A statement of interest (maximum of two pages) outlining each of the following elements:
- Why the applicant is interested in the program
- Career goals
- Business experience / background – either formal or informal
- Sustainability science background – either formal or informal
- Short description of interest in business and sustainability (250 word maximum)
- Working title for a capstone project (10 words or less)
- Short description of a capstone idea; see accompanying FAQ for more information on the capstone project (250 word maximum)
- A one-page letter of recommendation
- Ph.D. students / Postdoctoral scholars: from the primary faculty advisor which includes a statement of support for the applicant to participate in the program and fulfill all program requirements in AY 2026-2027
- MBA Students: from a Cornell SC Johnson College of Business faculty member confirming the applicant’s interest in sustainability, as well as their motivation, and professionalism
Program Requirements
- All participants
- Complete NBA 6030: Strategies for Sustainability (1.5 credits for Fall 2026)
- Participation in NMI 5170: Semlitz Fellows Seminar (1.5 credits each for Fall 2026 & Spring 2027)
- Completion of a Semlitz Fellows capstone project focused on an approved topic of the candidate’s choice at the intersection of sustainability science-business application. Topics will be finalized in consultation with program faculty
- MBA students (only)
- Six additional credits of program-approved coursework related to sustainability science and business
Program Benefits
- Ph.D. students (contract or endowed)
- Up to nine months academic year GRA stipend, tuition, and health insurance
- Postdoctoral scholars (contract or endowed)
- Up to nine months support (salary & fringe benefits)
- MBA students
- Partial tuition scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Semlitz Fellows Program?
- The Semlitz Fellows Program is open to MBA students and early career researchers, including endowed- and contract-college Ph.D. students and Postdoctoral scholars, who are interested in the intersection of sustainability science and business.
What is the purpose of the Semlitz Fellows Program?
- The Semlitz Fellows Program is designed to facilitate the understanding and application of sustainability-related science in business decision-making processes, and the understanding of business decision-making processes by sustainability researchers.
Do Semlitz Fellows receive any funding?
- Yes. Ph.D. students receive up to nine months of GRA stipend, tuition, and health insurance support. Postdoctoral scholars receive up to nine months of salary and fringe benefit support. MBA students receive a partial tuition scholarship.
Are Semlitz Fellows required to do any coursework?
- Yes. All Semlitz Fellows are required to complete the following:
- NBA 6030: Strategies for Sustainability in the Fall 2026 semester; this is a 1.5 credit, seven-week, half term, lecture and case-based course which covers the fundamental issues of sustainability in the private sector context. The class meets twice per week for a 1.25-hour session.
- NMI 5170: Semlitz Fellows Seminar in the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters; the seminar includes a mixture of sessions (i.e., lectures, discussion, speakers) focused on content as well as on supporting Fellows in the identification, development, and completion of their capstone project. The seminar meets weekly for up to two hours per session.
- Semlitz Fellows capstone project.
- MBA students (only) are required to complete an additional 6.0 credits of coursework aligned with their interests which can be selected from a list of eligible courses.
What is the Semlitz Fellows capstone project?
- The Semlitz Fellows Program is designed to increase knowledge and understanding that: 1) scientists have about how their work is applied or influences decisions in the private sector; and 2) business managers have about the value and relevance which sustainability science has to business investment decisions and competitive strategy. The capstone project is the experiential learning component of the program. All Semlitz Fellows are required to target an interest area at the intersection of sustainability science and business and conduct applied research on that topic. All projects will be expected to rely on a combination of primary and secondary data.
Is the Semlitz Fellows Program a good way to work on commercializing my research?
- The Semlitz Fellows Program enables participants to develop a deeper understanding of the application of sustainability science in the context of business and business decision-making in the context of sustainability science. While technology commercialization is one example of the intersection of those two domains, the Semlitz Fellows Program is not focused on advancing technology commercialization.
Can a Semlitz Fellow define their capstone project?
- Yes. Working with program faculty, each Fellow will define their capstone project focus based on their own area of interest, develop a research plan, and complete the project. Semlitz Fellows can complete their capstone project individually or working in collaboration with other Fellows.
What is the time commitment for the Semlitz Fellows Program?
- NBA 6030: Strategies for Sustainability requires approximately 75 hours between class sessions and assignments. NMI 5170: Semlitz Fellows Seminar requires approximately 40 hours of meeting time over the course of the academic year (approximately 20 hours in the fall term and 20 hours in the spring term). The capstone project requires approximately 75 hours in the Fall 2026 term and 75 hours in the Spring 2027 term.
Can I participate in the Semlitz Fellows Program if I am not on campus (i.e. semester exchange, research field work, etc.)?
- No. The Semlitz Fellows Program is a residential program and requires participants to be located on the Ithaca campus throughout both the fall and spring semesters.
Can I participate in the Semlitz Fellows Program if I already receive full funding for my program?
- Yes. Stipends (for Ph.D. students) and partial tuition scholarships (for MBA students) may not exceed 100%, but students who already possess full funding can still participate in the Semlitz Fellows Program.
More Information
If you have questions about this program, please contact semlitz@cornell.edu
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