The UC Merced Earth Institute, an emerging union of UC Merced Sierra Nevada Research Institute with the nascent UC Merced Climate Institute, requests applications for 2026-27 Climate Fellows. Our goal is to support graduate students and postdoctoral researchers advancing science, education, adaptation, and solutions to pressing and socio-ecologically complex climate- and energy-related challenges. We invite proposals from faculty to support graduate student researchers (GSRs) or postdoctoral researchers conducting innovative research aligned with Priority Areas (see RFP link below) in the climate, environment, and energy space and in support of research relating to the institute and its three affiliated Centers: the Fire Resilience Center, Sustainable Energy Center, and Equitable Climate Solutions Center.
Available funds: Approximately $150,000 available ($65,000 dedicated for energy-related research) to support GSR or postdoctoral researcher efforts on climate and energy-related research. See the Funding Details section below for individual award amounts.
Deadline: Submissions are due February 20th, 2026.
Principal Investigator Eligibility: Funding is open to all UC Merced faculty. Faculty may be the lead PI on more than one proposal.
Funding Details: Full details can be found in the request for proposals RFP UC Merced Earth Institute 2026-27 Climate Fellows
