Weekly Update (02/02/2026)
ESPP Announcements
Mark your calendar for the 2026 Fate of the Earth Symposium on Sustainability, Thursday, Mar 26 & Friday, Mar 27, at the MSU Union. Over two days, you’ll engage directly with the complexity of sustainability, and the messy, collaborative work of turning vision into action. More information will follow.
Are you a first-year or prospective PhD student at MSU interested in joining the WaterCube NRT Fellowship Program? Good news! They’re currently accepting applications for their 2026 cohort! To learn more, visit WaterCube website.
Scholarships, Fellowships, and Funding Opportunities
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The Rose Graduate Fellowship in Water Research will benefit students enrolled in any doctoral program at MSU to help to address the looming global water crisis and support the next generation of scientists who will help us solve water problems here in Michigan, the Great Lakes, nationally, and globally.
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MSU graduate students, who are performing research related to the sustainability of fish, wildlife, or water resources using an integrated or joint approach that links humans with their natural environment, are encouraged to apply for this fellowship.
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National Academies Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellowship | Deadline: February 26, 2026
The Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellowship helps scientists gain first-hand experience applying science to policy as they spend one year on the staff of federal, state, local, or non-governmental agencies in the Gulf region. With the guidance of a mentor, fellows delve into activities like policy development, evaluation, restoration planning, grants management, and stakeholder outreach and learn what it takes to make scientific information not just useful but useable. Meanwhile, host offices get a talented technical expert with a fresh perspective and a new network of contacts across the Gulf region.
Seminars, Workshops, and Other Events
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Community-based Research Orientation | 12-1 PM, February 6, 2026 | Virtual
Are you new to community-based research, or just curious about what the association Community-Based Research Canada (CBRCanada) has to offer you as a scholar? Join CBRCanada for an online orientation that will address the basic concepts of community-based research, as well as provide an overview of CBRCanada programming and the benefits of membership.
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Hanover Forest Science Seminar Series | 11:30-12:30 PM, February 9, 2026 | NR 338 & Zoom
Department of Forestry will be continuing their Hanover Forest Science Seminar Series for the Spring 2026 semester and have an outstanding lineup of interesting speakers for you. On February 9, Abu Saleh Md Golam Kibria, Research Associate, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, will present “Harnessing AI System to Transform Research in Natural Resources.” The seminar will be at Natural Resources 338 & via Zoom
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2026 WaterCube NRT Annual Retreat and Symposium | 8 - 11:45 AM, February 20, 2026 | Kellogg Center
The 2026 WaterCube NRT Annual Retreat and Symposium will take place Friday, Feb. 20, from 8–11:45 a.m. in the Lincoln Room at the Kellogg Center, featuring trainee presentations and a panel on careers in water. You need to register to attend.
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CIRCLE Interdisciplinary Workshop | February 20, 2026 | CTLI W207 Main Library
This interactive workshop is designed for graduate students who identify as or aspire to be interdisciplinary scholars, educators, and/or collaborators. Participants will spend time identifying their own interdisciplinary skillset, discussing interdisciplinary career trajectories with MSU faculty, and developing a personal plan for framing and articulating their own interdisciplinary goals and activities.
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NSF NCAR 2026 EdEC ASP Summer Colloquium | Deadline: February 22, 2026
The NSF NCAR Advanced Study Program (ASP) invites graduate students who are interested in learning how to conduct innovative convergence research that uses a systems approach to strengthen resilience against compound hazards to apply to the 2026 ASP Summer Colloquium. This is suitable for all graduate students in Earth system and related sciences, including engineering, social and behavioral sciences, AI/ML and computational sciences, information and data sciences, physical, environmental and biological sciences, solar and space sciences, and related disciplines.
Job and Training Opportunities
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VIPP Summer 2026 Student Ambassador
Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP) at ISP begins recruitment of MSU undergraduate and grad students to serve as cultural ambassadors and class assistants for their 2026 summer programs: the German Fulbright Summer Institute, Global Summer School, and the Agribusiness Summer Institute. This is a great opportunity for MSU students to build leadership and language skills, gain an international perspective, and build their resumes. This position is part of the Spartan Experience Record (SER) , and successful completion will be added to their record. Students can learn more about the position at vipp.msu.edu/ambassadors or complete the online application.