New Jersey Fellowships

Through our partnerships with Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Learns and Sustainable Jersey Earthwatch is pleased to offer Educators in New Jersey the opportunity to participate in scientific field research. This fellowship will enable New Jersey educators to increase their understanding of sustainability and begin to take action in their communities by addressing local issues.

Fellowship details
The goal of this fellowship is provide hands on experience in addressing issues of sustainability and environmental concern. Participation on an Earthwatch expedition is one aspect of the New Jersey program. Prior to fielding, recipients of the fellowship will have participated in New Jersey Learns. This training program will prime the educators to begin thinking about the issues they will be confronted with in the field. While in the field educators will work to support scientists conducting critical research and work with a team leader to formulate a plan of action for issues of concern in their community. The plan of action will be carried out upon their return from the field in conjunction with Sustainable Jersey.  

Expedition details
Fellows will participate on Spirit of the Rockies: Songbirds, Mountain Lions, and More, July 6th - 14th. On the expedition they will monitor migratory and resident songbirds to discover the reasons for their declining numbers.

Many songbird populations in the Jackson Hole area are declining, and fellows will help researchers study these birds and their habitats in an effort to stop this decline. Tasks on the expedition include searching for migratory birds’ nests and relocating color-banded birds which will provide much-needed information on seasonal survivorship and productivity. Some teams will spend one morning at the bird-banding station and will have the opportunity to observe birds up-close as project staff remove them from mist-nets and band them. Other teams will assist with vegetation measurements near bird nests.

Fellowship Eligibility
All K-12 educators in New Jersey are eligible for the fellowship, which covers all costs associated with the research, food and accommodations. Preference will be given to current and past participants of the New Jersey Learns Program. Travel to and from the site is covered by the fellow. Upon completing all fellowship requirements, fellows will be awarded a travel reimbursement for travel to and from the site.

Fellowship Requirements
Fellows will meet with their local Green Team and participate in pre-expedition orientation(s). While on their expedition, fellows will draft a plan of action for their community. Details about this plan of action will be covered during the orientation. When they return, fellows will submit all post fielding requirements outlined in their award letter including their plan for community action.

Application and Awards Process
Fellowships are awarded through a competitive application process. When considering applications, the organizations involved in this program will consider an applicant's location and potential impact of participating.

Applications should be sent as soon as you are able. We will review all applications for all available fellowships regardless of when they are received. Fellowship applicants will be considered for all opportunities which they are eligible; there is no need to submit multiple applications to Earthwatch. Please keep in mind that you may receive a fellowship only twice, typically from different funding sources and it cannot be in consecutive years. You are not eligible for a fellowship if you already reserved a seat on an expedition as a volunteer.

Ready to Apply?
Complete the electronic application to be considered for an Earthwatch Educator Fellowship. Adobe reader software (available free from adobe.com) is required to complete the electronic application. Detailed instructions are included in the application form.