University of Michigan SEAS PhD in Environment & Sustainability 2027 (Fully Funded)

Overview

The School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan offers a doctoral program designed for interdisciplinary research focused on socio-environmental problems. Students engage in cross-disciplinary work across multiple domains including environmental policy and governance, climate change and resilience, energy systems and transitions, environmental justice and equity, sustainable cities and communities, ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation, sustainable development, natural resource management, environmental health and water resources and quality, land use, food systems, circular economy, and sustainable materials, as well as environmental data, modeling, analytics, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Who can apply

The program welcomes domestic and international applicants from diverse backgrounds. Non-native English speakers must meet an English proficiency requirement unless an official exemption applies, such as holding a degree from an English-taught institution. The Graduate Record Examination is not required for applicants.

What you get

Admitted doctoral students receive a comprehensive five-year funding package covering four pre-candidate semesters and six candidate semesters, provided they maintain full-time enrollment and steady academic progress. The financial support includes a monthly stipend of approximately $3,649 for the 2026-2027 academic year, which is benchmarked to a 50 percent Graduate Student Instructor appointment. In addition, students receive complete GradCare health insurance coverage, which includes dental, vision, and family protection spanning five academic years and four summers.

Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete doctoral application package that includes an academic statement of purpose of approximately 1,000 words, a personal statement of approximately 500 words, a writing sample of about 30 pages, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts uploaded as scanned copies through the portal, and a resume or curriculum vitae of a maximum of two pages. Prospective applicants are also strongly advised to contact relevant faculty members beforehand to discuss mutual research interests and establish faculty fit.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted directly through the Rackham Graduate School application portal.

Key dates

The application deadline is December 1, 2026, and all materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The program intake is for Fall 2027.