CEFS Graduate Fellows Program at NC State University

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Program Summary

The goal of the CEFS Fellows program is to support future food and agriculture systems leaders through networking and professional development.

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) NC State University Graduate Fellows Program was developed to provide financial support, recognition, networking, and professional development for future leaders, researchers, and practitioners in sustainable agriculture and local food systems while they pursue academic research to further their field of study.

CEFS is one of the nation’s most important centers for research, extension, and education in sustainable agriculture and community-based food systems. It is recognized as a national and international leader in the local foods movement and is celebrated for its work in building consensus around policies, programs, and actions that facilitate a vibrant local food economy.

Applications are due Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM

APPLY HERE

There is funding for 3 new Fellows in 2024.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply to be a CEFS NC State Graduate Fellow, the qualifications below must be met:

  • Must be enrolled as a full-time graduate student at NC State University (US citizens, permanent residents and international students are eligible to apply); and
  • Completed one semester of a Master’s Degree Program at NC State University; or
  • Completed one semester of a Doctoral Program at NC State University.

Stipend and Fellowship Tenure

  • A Master’s Student will be eligible for a one (1) year, $5,000 stipend to be used at the student’s discretion.
  • A Doctoral student will be eligible for a two (2) year, $5,000/year (total of $10,000) stipend to be used at the student’s discretion.
  • Stipends are disbursed twice a year and Fellows receive $2,500 each semester.

Fellowship Requirements

If selected as a CEFS NC State Graduate Fellow you will be expected to complete the following activities or forfeit your stipend.

  • Present a brief oral presentation or poster presentation at one regularly-scheduled meeting of the CEFS Board of Advisors.
  • Present a brief oral presentation or poster presentation at one regularly scheduled All-CEFS Meeting
  • Coordinate/participate in one education or extension experience (such as being a TA, guest lecturing at a school, etc.).
  • Participate in one educational program or event with CEFS Interns and/or Apprentices.
  • Work together with the cohort of CEFS NC State Graduate Fellows to organize and coordinate a recruitment event/mixer for new/future CEFS NC State Graduate Fellows.
  • Attend one of the Racial Equity Trainings put on by the Committee On Racial Equity (CORE) or another similar training
  • *Participate in one trip, coordinated by CEFS, to Washington D.C. to be exposed to sustainable agriculture and the food system at the policy/ federal level (*if this happens during the year you are a Fellow)
  • *Write one op-ed, blog, or article or develop an educational video pertaining to your research on sustainable agriculture and food systems. (*PhD only)

Application

The deadline for submission is Friday, May 31st, 2024 at 11:59 PM. Please submit your application through the google form linked here.

The application consists of three main parts, described below:

    1. A signed Certification Form.
      Your Academic Advisor of record must complete and sign off on the Certification Form. The signed Certification Form must be included in your application packet.
    2. Current Enrollment Verification Certificate.
      To print/ save a copy of a certificate, follow the instructions below:

      1. Enter MyPack Portal – For Students
      2. Under “Academic Records,” click on “Enrollment Verification”
      3. This will take you to a separate web page; click on the first bullet (a green hyperlink “Obtain an enrollment certificate”). Make sure you have the “All Enrollment” radio button highlighted.
      4.  Save the document and submit it with your completed application and essay.
    3. Essay
      The essay should be 2 pages, single-spaced using 12-pt Arial font.
      The first page of the essay should be a synopsis, in layman’s terms, of the applicant’s research and how it supports sustainable agriculture and/or local and regional food systems.
      The second page should describe why the applicant wants to be a CEFS fellow and their future goals. Strong essays will include how CEFS’ programs and/or mission align with the applicant’s long-term goals.

For general questions, please contact: Dr. Angel Cruz at (919) 513-0954 or aecruz@ncsu.edu.

As part of our commitment to inclusivity and diversity at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) we strive to design educational experiences and events that are accessible to all applicants and participants. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, CEFS will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. If you experience or anticipate experiencing any barriers to learning or participating in any of our programs please contact Dr. Angel Cruz at aecruz@ncsu.edu to confidentially discuss accommodations.