Flowers at the Yale Farm

Yale Planetary Solutions Doctoral Fellows Program

Training tomorrow’s planetary leaders.

At a Glance

Join an ambitious cohort of scholars solving humanity's greatest challenges.

  • $9,000

    $3,500 annual stipend boost + $2,000 research budget

  • 2 Years

    Fellows participate in training from Sep 2026 through May 2028

  • University Wide

    Open to 1st and 2nd-year students in any doctoral program at Yale

  • Deadline

    The next application cycle will open in November 2026

Why a Planetary Solutions Fellowship?

Our planet faces unprecedented, interconnected crises: accelerating climate change, mass biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse. These challenges demand a new generation of leaders who can think across disciplines, work with diverse stakeholders, and develop integrated solutions. The Yale Planetary Solutions Doctoral Fellows Program offers the skill-building opportunities, professional networking, and interdisciplinary community-building needed to prepare future leaders to make a positive impact throughout their careers. 

Yale Planetary Solutions partners with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and professional schools to cultivate interdisciplinary leaders equipped to solve our planet’s most pressing challenges. The YPS Doctoral Fellows Program is made possible through the support of Stella M. Hammond Planetary Solutions and the Bynum Family Environmental Science Fellowships. 

 
Applications to join the 2027-2029 cohort will open in November 2026. 

2026-2028 Cohort

2025-2027 Cohort

  • Department of Chemical Engineering

    Lucas Bertucci

    YPS Doctoral Fellow 2025
    Lucas Bertucci-headshot
  • Yale School of Public Health

    Cole Brookson

    YPS Doctoral Fellow 2025
    Cole Brookson Headshot
  • David Geffen School of Drama

    Lily Haje

    YPS Doctoral Fellow 2025
    Lily Haje Headshot
  • Yale School of Management

    Ari Lerner

    YPS Doctoral Fellow 2025
    Ari Lerner Headshot

What You’ll Gain

  • $3,500 annual stipend top-up for two years
  • $2,000 research support budget for discretionary use
  • Total value: $9,000 over two years

  • Systems thinking and change management training
  • Communications and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Grantsmanship and financial resource management
  • Team building and cross-disciplinary collaboration
  • Direct connection with practitioners and policymakers

  • Join a selective cohort of interdisciplinary scholars
  • Ongoing engagement with Yale Planetary Solutions activities
  • Lifelong connections with alumni network
  • Mentorship from leading researchers and practitioners

Who can apply?

Eligibility

  • Current Yale doctoral students in their first or second year
  • Students from ANY doctoral program across the university
  • Research that aligns with planetary solutions
  • Faculty advisor support required

Selection Criteria

  • Research alignment with YPS mission
  • Potential for planetary impact
  • How fellowship enhances your training and goals

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