Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability 2027

Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in USA | Fully Funded

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability 2027 is an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers who want to conduct innovative research addressing major sustainability challenges. The fellowship is offered by the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability at Cornell University in the United States.

The programme brings together academic research and real-world impact. Fellows work with a Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner organization, allowing researchers to connect rigorous scholarship with practical sustainability solutions. Research proposals are welcomed from scholars working across Cornell Atkinson's four primary research areas.

Up to four Postdoctoral Fellows are selected each year. The fellowship provides a $65,000 annual salary, full Cornell University employee benefits and $12,000 per year for research- and travel-related expenses. Appointments can last up to three years, subject to satisfactory progress and continued funding.

Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 Overview

Category	Details
Fellowship Name	Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability 2027
University	Cornell University
Location	Ithaca, New York, USA
Degree Level	Postdoctoral
Field	Sustainability Research
Duration	Up to 3 Years
Annual Salary	$65,000
Research & Travel Funding	$12,000 per year
Benefits	Full Cornell University employee benefits
Number of Fellows	Up to 4
Start Date	June 1 – September 1, 2027
Application Deadline	October 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET

The official Cornell Atkinson call confirms that applications and recommendation letters must be submitted by October 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

What Is the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship?

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability is designed for highly motivated recent PhD graduates whose research can contribute to solving pressing sustainability problems.

Unlike a conventional postdoctoral position, the programme requires fellows to work with both a Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner organization. This structure is intended to encourage research that can move beyond academic publication and contribute to practical solutions, policies and real-world sustainability outcomes.

The fellowship is open to researchers from relevant disciplines across Cornell's colleges and schools, provided their proposed work aligns with Cornell Atkinson's sustainability priorities.

Research Areas

Applicants can submit proposals connected to Cornell Atkinson's four main research areas:

• Accelerating Energy Transitions
• Reducing Climate Risk
• Increasing Food Security
• Advancing One Health

These themes cover a broad range of sustainability challenges and allow researchers from different academic backgrounds to develop interdisciplinary projects.

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed research can contribute to meaningful sustainability outcomes and why collaboration with Cornell faculty and an external partner is valuable to the project.

Benefits of Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027

$65,000 Annual Salary

Each selected fellow receives a $65,000 annual salary during the appointment. This provides substantial financial support while researchers conduct their proposed sustainability research at Cornell University.

$12,000 Research and Travel Funding

Fellows receive $12,000 per year for eligible research- and travel-related expenses. These funds can support activities necessary for carrying out the proposed research, subject to Cornell University policies.

Full Employee Benefits

The fellowship includes full Cornell University employee benefits, making it a comprehensive postdoctoral employment opportunity rather than simply a research stipend.

Up to Three Years of Support

The appointment is structured as a three-year, 12-month appointment. Continued support during the second and third years depends on satisfactory progress and availability of funding.

Professional Development

Fellows participate in Cornell Atkinson's Sustainability Leadership Program, which provides professional development in areas such as career strategy, communications and collaborative leadership. Fellows are required to complete designated workshops during each year of their appointment.

International Research Possibilities

Although the fellowship is US-based for employment purposes, field research—including research outside the United States—can be part of a fellow's research plan. Fellows must, however, maintain primary residency in Ithaca and spend the majority of their time on campus.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the fellowship's academic and residency requirements.

The main eligibility requirements include:

• Applicants must have received, or be expected to receive, a PhD in a field relevant to their proposed research by the fellowship start date.
• The PhD must have been awarded no earlier than May 1, 2025 for this application cycle.
• Applicants must identify a PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor.
• Applicants must also identify an external partner organization or advisor.
• The proposed research must align with one or more of Cornell Atkinson's sustainability priorities.
• Applicants must be willing to maintain primary residency in Ithaca, New York throughout the appointment.
• Hybrid and remote arrangements are not permitted for Cornell Atkinson postdoctoral fellows.
• Cornell PhD graduates and Cornell postdocs are no longer eligible for this particular programme because the fellowship is intended to bring outstanding scholars from outside Cornell into the university's academic community.

International applicants are encouraged to apply if they meet the requirements. Applicants who require visa sponsorship can be referred to Cornell International Services for guidance on the appropriate visa process.

Required Application Materials

Applicants should prepare their application materials carefully because the selection process is competitive.

The official application requires materials including:

• Project abstract of up to 250 words
• Applicant background statement
• Description of the proposed research project
• Research references
• Curriculum vitae
• Information about the Cornell faculty mentor
• Information about the external partner
• Recommendation letters
• Other information requested through the online application form

The project abstract should clearly summarize the proposed research, methods and expected impact. The applicant background section should explain previous doctoral research, career goals and how the fellowship would contribute to the applicant's development as a sustainability researcher.

Applicants should follow the official formatting and word-limit requirements carefully because incomplete or incorrectly prepared applications may not be reviewed.

How to Apply for Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027

Applicants can follow these general steps:

1. Review the Cornell Atkinson research themes.
2. Develop a research proposal addressing a significant sustainability challenge.
3. Identify an eligible Cornell faculty mentor.
4. Find an appropriate external partner organization or advisor.
5. Prepare the project abstract and applicant statements.
6. Prepare your CV and other supporting materials.
7. Arrange the required recommendation letters.
8. Complete the online application form.
9. Upload the required documents according to the specified format.
10. Submit the complete application before the deadline.

The official Cornell Atkinson application page states that applications and letters of recommendation are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on October 20, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Selection Process

Cornell Atkinson uses a multi-stage review process to select fellows.

First, applications are checked for completeness and eligibility. Eligible applications are then assessed by Cornell Atkinson faculty directors and postdoctoral programme leadership. Reviewers consider the alignment of the proposed research with Cornell Atkinson priorities, the quality and potential impact of the research and the applicant's academic background and experience.

Applications receiving further consideration move to a broader review by multiple Cornell Atkinson Faculty Fellows. A selected group of candidates is then invited for interviews. Ultimately, up to four candidates are selected for the fellowship.

Fellowship Timeline

The official 2027 cycle follows this schedule:

• July 8, 2026: Application form opens
• August 5, 2026: First information session
• September 10, 2026: Second information session
• October 20, 2026: Applications and recommendation letters due
• January 2027: Applicant notifications
• June 1 – September 1, 2027: Fellowship start window

Why Apply for the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship?

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship is a strong opportunity for researchers who want to build an academic career while working on real-world sustainability challenges.

The combination of a competitive salary, employee benefits, research funding and professional development makes the fellowship particularly attractive. The opportunity to collaborate with both Cornell faculty and external organizations can also help fellows build interdisciplinary research networks and develop experience translating academic research into practical impact.

For international researchers, the fellowship also provides an opportunity to conduct research within the United States and become part of Cornell University's sustainability research community.

Final Thoughts

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability 2027 is a highly competitive postdoctoral opportunity for recent PhD graduates interested in sustainability research. Selected fellows can receive a $65,000 annual salary, full Cornell employee benefits, and $12,000 per year for research and travel expenses, with the possibility of support for up to three years.

Candidates should focus on developing a strong research proposal that addresses an important sustainability challenge and demonstrates potential for real-world impact. It is also important to secure both a suitable Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner before submitting the application.

The application deadline is October 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Interested researchers should begin preparing their proposal and supporting documents well before the deadline. Apply Now