Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability:
2027 Call for Applications
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Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowships support a cohort of creative, exceptionally talented, and highly motivated scholars committed to discovery that contributes directly to solving the most pressing sustainability challenges facing our planet. Unique among postdoctoral fellowships, the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability positions scholars to work with a Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner organization. Each fellow receives individualized and cohort-level support in professional development, including career strategy, communications training, and collaborative leadership. |
Overview
Created through the generous support of David and Patricia Atkinson, the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability enables transdisciplinary and translational research that advances a more sustainable, healthy, and resilient future. By supporting research across all of Cornell’s colleges and schools, and partnering with governmental, non-governmental, and private entities, Cornell Atkinson directly supports the radical collaboration necessary to transform knowledge to action.
The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability offers a unique opportunity for early career scholars to engage at the nexus of highly rigorous academic research and real impact in sustainability. Fellows work with both a Cornell faculty mentor and a partnering external organization, which encourages Fellows to drive real-world impact through their research. Through the Sustainability Leadership Program, Fellows join a cohort of early-career scholars that receives curated support in science communication, strategic career planning, and collaborative leadership.
We invite research proposals from early-career scholars in any of Cornell Atkinson’s four primary research areas.
Timeline
- July 8: Application form opens
- August 5, 3 p.m. ET: Information Session #1 (Register)
- September 10, Noon ET: Information Session #2 (Register)
- October 20, 5 p.m. ET: Applications and letters of recommendation due (Apply)
- January 2027: Applicant notifications
- June 1 – September 1, 2027: Fellowships start
Program Details and Benefits
- Up to four Postdoctoral Fellows are selected each year.
- Postdoctoral Fellows must secure one PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor and one external partner at the time of application. Cornell faculty mentors may support only one fellowship applicant per cycle.
- Fellowships are three-year, 12-month appointments at Cornell University. Second- and third-year support is contingent upon satisfactory progress in the first and second years, respectively, along with the availability of funding.
- Fellowships provide a salary of $65,000 per year, full Cornell University employee benefits, and $12,000 per year for research- and travel-related expenses. Allowable research expenses are governed by Cornell University policies applicable to all academic staff.
- Start date for the fellowship is flexible between June 1 and September 1, 2027.
- Field work and site visits are typical components of research. In addition, Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellows are a critically important part of the community of scholars that comprises the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. Accordingly, Fellows must have primary residency in Ithaca, New York, and spend the majority of their time on campus in order to participate in Cornell Atkinson activities.
- Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellows are afforded professional development support via the Sustainability Leadership Program (SLP). As part of SLP, Fellows are required to complete a minimum of two long (approx. two-day, in-person) and four short (one- to two-hour, online) workshops during each year of their appointment. SLP workshops are tailored to advance participants’ professional position at the intersections of academic research, public engagement, and impact.
- Fellows are additionally supported by Cornell’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Eligibility Requirements
- The postdoctoral program is no longer open to Cornell Ph.D. graduates or current Cornell postdocs, as its purpose is to bring outstanding scholars from outside Cornell to enrich the university’s academic community.
- Postdocs must maintain primary residency in Ithaca for the duration of the appointment. Hybrid and remote appointments for Cornell Atkinson postdocs are not permitted.
- Applicants must have received their Ph.D. in a field relevant to the proposed research by the start of the fellowship, but no earlier than two years prior to the start date (for this application cycle, no earlier than May 1, 2025).
- All applicants meeting the requirements are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants requiring visa sponsorship will be referred to Cornell International Services for guidance on obtaining the appropriate visa to enter and be employed in the United States.
- Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellows are full-time, non-faculty, benefits-eligible staff at Cornell University. Policies that govern employment at Cornell University apply. Accordingly, while field research, including non-US field research, is a common part of many Fellows’ research plans, the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship is US-based for employment purposes.
How to Apply
- Please use this online form to submit your application before 5 p.m. ET on October 20, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Required Application Materials
Project Abstract (250 words)
Abstract will be submitted via the online application form and does not need to be included in your proposal PDF. Summarize your proposed project, methods, and anticipated impact clearly and concisely.
Applicant Information and Statements
The following items must be uploaded into the online application form as a single PDF: single space, 11-point font, one-inch margins. Guidance on the maximum length of each section is offered below.
- Applicant Background (maximum 250 words)
Provide a brief summary of your doctoral research and future career goals, explaining how the Postdoctoral Fellowship will enhance your career in sustainability research and impact. - Description of Proposed Project (maximum 1,000 words; not including any references placed at the end of the description)
The proposal must offer a concise statement of context, objectives, methods, and significance of the proposed research. The proposal should demonstrate a clear understanding of the resources necessary and available to complete the research successfully. The proposal should clearly describe the role of the external partner(s) and their contribution to the project. - Impact Statement (maximum 300 words; one page of figures may be added)
A summary of the potential impact of the proposed research that explains how the proposed project will change or influence behavior, practice, procedures, or policy at the relevant scale. A co-creation model of engagement with the external partner is encouraged. Consider using a diagram to clarify the intended flow of information and advice among all project participants and other stakeholders. - Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae (length as appropriate)
All accepted and published publications must be included (with DOI, if applicable). Publications submitted, in review, or in revision may be included but must be noted as such; do not include papers in preparation. List peer-refereed publications separately from non-refereed publications and conference proceedings.
Letters of Recommendation (submitted via email separately by the recommender)
Your application packet should include four letters of recommendation. Your recommenders should email their letters directly to atkinson-postdoc@cornell.edu. Because letters of recommendation are due on the same day as the application deadline, we strongly encourage applicants to communicate early with their recommenders.
- Cornell Faculty Mentor: A PI-eligible Cornell faculty member who agrees to serve as your primary mentor for the duration of the three-year fellowship. The Cornell faculty mentor can support a maximum of one applicant per application cycle. We strongly recommend you confirm that your Cornell mentor is supporting only your application. Faculty mentors may have a primary appointment in any Cornell college or school, and must currently be a Cornell Atkinson Faculty Fellow. The letter of recommendation should speak to the existing or prospective professional relationship between the faculty mentor and the applicant, the quality and potential impact of the project as proposed, and the ability of the applicant to conduct and complete the proposed project within the time frame of the fellowship.
- Primary Advisor at the External Organization: A collaborating partner from an external organization, which may be a governmental, non-governmental, or private sector entity, but which may not be another university or higher education entity. We strongly recommend that the applicant and prospective Cornell faculty mentor discuss potential external partners and the parameters of the partnership. Please note that anyone with a dual appointment at places such as Cornell Cooperative Extension, NY Sea Grant, Weill Cornell Medicine, etc., is not considered external to Cornell and is not eligible to serve as the external partner. If you have questions about the eligibility of your external advisor, please contact us at atkinson-postdoc@cornell.edu. Reviewing the partnerships of current and former Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellows may be helpful. The letter of recommendation should speak to the existing or prospective collaborative relationship between the organization and the applicant (and, as applicable, the faculty mentor), as well as the value and feasibility of the collaboration as described in the project proposal.
- Two Additional References: One reference should be the applicant’s doctoral advisor (exceptions for extenuating circumstances may be considered). The second reference may hold an academic or non-academic position but must be able to speak with some depth about their working relationship with the applicant and the strength of the applicant’s proposed research.
Note:
- Recommenders should submit their letter from their professional email address (e.g., .edu, .gov, .org). Letters sent from personal email addresses are discouraged.
- We will acknowledge receipt of the letter.
- Only professional references will be accepted. References may not be provided by relatives, either direct or through marriage/domestic partnership, of the applicant.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all letters of recommendation are submitted by the deadline (October 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET).
Selection Process
Applications will undergo a multi-step review process:
- Applications will first be assessed for completeness and eligibility.
- Eligible applications will be reviewed by Cornell Atkinson’s faculty directors and postdoctoral program leadership to evaluate alignment with Cornell Atkinson’s priority areas, the merit and potential impact of the proposed research, and the applicant’s academic background and experience.
- Applications that warrant further consideration will advance to a comprehensive review by multiple Cornell Atkinson Faculty Fellows.
- A select group of candidates will be invited to participate in interviews.
- Following review and interviews, up to four candidates will be selected for appointment to the postdoctoral program.
More Information
If you have additional questions, please e-mail atkinson-postdoc@cornell.edu.
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