Center for Native Peoples and the Environment
Frequently Asked Questions

We are updating our FAQ page. Please check back here soon for the answer. In the meantime, please feel free to email us your questions: [email protected] 

The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) is a consortium of higher education institutions that seek to transform graduate STEM education in ways that: 1) support the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, values, and experiences in scientific research, teaching, and community engagement; 2) allow scholars to address issues relevant to Indigenous communities; 3) encourage and prepare talented students who have such interests and expertise to pursue STEM graduate education and careers; and 4) foster strong community engagement on and across individual SIGP campuses.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provides scholarships that supplement the assistantships or fellowships received by Sloan Scholars from their respective programs. In addition, students become part of a community of SIGP scholars and mentors at their home institution, as well as the national SIGP program and the broader Sloan Scholars Network. Through these offerings, scholars have access to mentorship beyond their research programs, opportunities for professional development, paid conference travel, an invitation to a bi-annual SIGP symposium, and a robust alum network upon graduation.

We are updating our FAQ page. Please check back here soon for the answer. In the meantime, please feel free to email us your questions: [email protected] 

To become an SIGP scholar, first reach out to us at to [email protected] so we can also discuss your eligibility and specific areas of interest. We will then help connect you to graduate advisors who may be a good match for you.

Once you have found 1-2 graduate advisors who you would like to work with and who have agreed to work with you, you can apply to the SUNY ESF Graduate School. On the SUNY ESF grad school application, please indicate your interest in the SIGP program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Your application fee and GRE requirement will be waived.

If you are accepted into the SUNY ESF graduate program, you will then be asked to (1) meet with Neil Patterson, CNPE Executive Director, to discuss your eligibility for this program and (2) write a personal statement on how this fellowship will support your professional development.

SUNY ESF accepts applications for both fall and spring semester matriculation. The official SUNY ESF deadline for fall semester applications is January 15, and November 1 for spring semester applicants. However, the deadline for the SIGP is more flexible. We encourage potential applicants to reach out to the CNPE in advance of submitting their completed applications.

Pursue faculty webpages whose research interests align with yours. Check out the full faculty directory or search faculty within each department. You can also check out the faculty associated with each graduate program and study area.

Once you have found 2-3 faculty you are interested in, write a brief introductory email! Remember to use a formal style (addressing the professor as "Dr. X."). In this email, include your academic background, the name of the program you're interested in, any prior research or relevant professional experience, and a sentence or two about why you think Dr. X would be a good fit as your advisor. Then, ask if Dr. X is accepting new advisees and mention your interest in the Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership.

If you don't receive a response within 1-2 weeks, it is appropriate to send a follow-up email expressing your interest once again. If you don't receive a response to this 2nd email, consider reaching out to other prospective MPs.

Once you have received a positive response from a potential MP, you can set up a time to talk on the phone or Zoom.

Choosing an advisor who you work well with and has similar research interests to you is key to success in graduate school. When meeting with a potential advisor, be sure ask about their advising style, expectations of graduate students, and available research projects.

Also, it is important to ask to speak with your potential advisor’s current and/or former students. Ask the students about their experience working with the faculty member—the good and the bad!

From these conversations, reflect on if you could work well with this faculty member and if your research interests align. While it is possible to change advisors later on, this process can be time-consuming and stressful. It's definitely better to invest time and energy upfront to find someone you will work well with.

Once you have decided on a potential MP who seems like the best fit, you should communicate that preference explicitly and ask if it’s ok that you list this person as your first choice MP in your graduate application.