The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 offers up to four three-year fellowships with a $65,000 annual salary, full benefits and $12,000 yearly research and travel support.
The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability 2027 is inviting applications from early-career scholars whose research contributes directly to pressing sustainability challenges.
The fellowship combines rigorous academic research with real-world impact. Each Fellow works with a Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner organisation, while receiving professional development through Cornell Atkinson’s Sustainability Leadership Program.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | Cornell University |
| Programme | Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability |
| Location | Ithaca, New York, USA |
| Research focus | Sustainability |
| Fellows selected | Up to 4 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Salary | $65,000 per year |
| Benefits | Full Cornell University employee benefits |
| Research & travel support | $12,000 per year |
| Start date | Between 1 June and 1 September 2027 |
| PhD requirement | Relevant PhD completed by fellowship start, no earlier than 1 May 2025 |
| Application deadline | 20 October 2026, 5 p.m. ET |
About the Cornell Atkinson Fellowship
The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship is designed for highly talented scholars working on sustainability challenges.
The programme is distinctive because Fellows must work with both a Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner organisation. External partners may be governmental, non-governmental or private-sector organisations, but not another university or higher-education institution.
Applicants can propose research within any of Cornell Atkinson’s four primary research areas.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected Fellows receive:
$65,000 Annual Salary
The fellowship provides a salary of $65,000 per year.
Full Employee Benefits
Fellows receive full Cornell University employee benefits as benefits-eligible, non-faculty staff.
$12,000 Research and Travel Support
Each Fellow receives $12,000 per year for research- and travel-related expenses, subject to Cornell policies.
Professional Development
Through the Sustainability Leadership Program, Fellows receive support in science communication, strategic career planning and collaborative leadership.
Participants must complete at least two long in-person workshops and four short online workshops each year.
Fellows are also supported by Cornell’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must have received their PhD in a field relevant to the proposed research by the start of the fellowship.
For this application cycle, the doctorate must have been completed no earlier than 1 May 2025.
The programme is not open to Cornell PhD graduates or current Cornell postdocs, because the fellowship is intended to bring outstanding scholars from outside Cornell into the university’s academic community.
Applicants from outside the United States can apply. Candidates who require visa sponsorship will be referred to Cornell International Services for guidance.
Residency Requirement
The fellowship is US-based for employment purposes.
Fellows must maintain their primary residence in Ithaca, New York and spend the majority of their time on campus participating in Cornell Atkinson activities.
Hybrid and remote appointments are not permitted.
Field research and site visits can form part of Fellows’ research plans, including research outside the United States.
Required Mentors and External Partner
Applicants must secure:
One PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor who agrees to serve as the primary mentor for the three-year fellowship.
One external partner organisation that will collaborate on the proposed project.
The Cornell faculty mentor can support only one applicant per application cycle, so applicants are strongly encouraged to confirm this before submitting their application.
Application Materials
Applicants must submit an online application containing several components.
Project Abstract
A 250-word project abstract summarising the proposed project, methods and anticipated impact.
Applicant Background
A statement of up to 250 words covering doctoral research, future career goals and how the fellowship will support the applicant’s sustainability research and impact.
Proposed Project
A research proposal of up to 1,000 words, excluding references, covering the context, objectives, methods and significance of the research.
The proposal should explain the resources required and clearly describe the role and contribution of the external partner.
Impact Statement
An impact statement of up to 300 words explaining how the research could influence behaviour, practice, procedures or policy. One page of figures may be added.
Curriculum Vitae
Applicants should provide a CV of appropriate length, including accepted and published publications and DOI information where applicable. Publications in review or revision may also be listed if clearly identified.
Four Letters of Recommendation
The application requires four letters of recommendation:
- One from the Cornell faculty mentor.
- One from the primary advisor at the external organisation.
- One from the applicant’s doctoral advisor.
- One additional academic or non-academic reference.
Letters must be submitted directly by the recommenders to atkinson-postdoc@cornell.edu.
Selection Process
Applications first undergo checks for completeness and eligibility.
Eligible applications are then reviewed for alignment with Cornell Atkinson’s priority areas, research merit and potential impact, as well as the applicant’s academic background and experience.
Applications receiving further consideration undergo a comprehensive review by multiple Cornell Atkinson Faculty Fellows.
A selected group of candidates is invited for interviews, after which up to four candidates are selected.
Application Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | 8 July 2026 |
| Information Session #1 | 5 August 2026 |
| Information Session #2 | 10 September 2026 |
| Applications and letters due | 20 October 2026, 5 p.m. ET |
| Applicant notifications | January 2027 |
| Fellowship start window | 1 June – 1 September 2027 |
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
20 October 2026 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time
Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Recommendation letters are due at the same time as the application.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official Cornell Atkinson online application form.
Apply through the official Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship page
Applicants should ensure that the Cornell faculty mentor and external partner are confirmed before submitting the application.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship is a strong opportunity for early-career researchers whose work connects academic research with practical sustainability impact.
The fellowship stands out for its $65,000 annual salary, full employee benefits, $12,000 annual research and travel support, three-year appointment and structured leadership development.
However, applicants must meet the strict requirements around PhD timing, Cornell mentorship, external partnership and residence in Ithaca, so these conditions should be reviewed carefully before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship?
It is a three-year postdoctoral fellowship focused on sustainability research that combines academic research with real-world impact.
How much does the fellowship pay?
The fellowship provides a $65,000 annual salary.
Is there additional research funding?
Yes. Fellows receive $12,000 per year for research- and travel-related expenses.
How many Fellows are selected?
Up to four postdoctoral Fellows are selected each year.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must have a relevant PhD completed by the fellowship start date, with the doctorate completed no earlier than 1 May 2025 for this cycle.
Can Cornell PhD graduates apply?
No. The programme is not open to Cornell PhD graduates or Cornell postdocs.
Do I need a Cornell faculty mentor?
Yes. Applicants must secure a PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor at the time of application.
Do I need an external partner?
Yes. Applicants must have an external partner organisation at the time of application.
Can the fellowship be completed remotely?
No. Fellows must reside primarily in Ithaca, New York, and hybrid or remote appointments are not permitted.
When is the application deadline?
Applications and recommendation letters are due by 20 October 2026 at 5 p.m. ET.
When does the fellowship begin?
The start date is flexible between 1 June and 1 September 2027.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed is sharing this fellowship for informational and educational purposes. We are not affiliated with Cornell University or the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and do not recruit or select fellowship recipients.
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