Center for Native Peoples and the Environment
Frequently Asked Questions

Students of Native American, Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian descent who meet SUNY ESF's graduate admissions criteria and want to pursue an M.S. or Ph.D. in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) field. Please reach out to CNPE staff with additional questions.

The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) is a scholarship program funded by the A.P. Sloan Foundation to support Indigenous (Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian) graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) with the intent of increasing the number of Indigenous Americans earning master's and doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines. For more information, click here.

You will become part of a prestigious nationwide network of Indigenous scholars, with the benefits of mentoring and community connection, in support of higher education in STEM. The benefits of participation in the SIGP include: tuition waiver from SUNY ESF, a stipend, health insurance, research experience, professional development opportunities, faculty mentorship, and networking with a community of current and former SIGP awardees. Additionally, the SIGP program will facilitate ongoing cultural connection between students and the Onondaga Nation, located just a few miles from campus.

SIGP scholars must be enrolled in an approved STEM field program. All of the graduate degrees at SUNY ESF meet this requirement. Additionally, SIGP scholars must submit spending and academic reports, demonstrating adequate academic progress towards a timely degree completion. At SUNY ESF, SIGP scholars are expected to attend a at SUNY ESF participate in a weekly seminar offering academic and professional development as well as an annual retreat.

To become an SIGP scholar, first reach out to us at to cnpeinfo@esf.edu 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 this SUNY ESF grad school application, please indicate your interest in the SGIP program by selecting the box “____.” 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 to discuss your eligibility for this program and (2) write a personal statement on how this fellowship will support your professional development as an Indigenous Environmental Scientist.  

Yes. Masters students will receive a tuition waiver and a stipend of $18,000 per year of enrollment up to three years. PhD students receive the tuition waiver, a full Graduate Assistantship (teaching or research) at SUNY ESF during every semester of enrollment up to four years, and a total of $40,000 over the course of their program.

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.

Application information for all SUNY ESF graduate programs is available here. Please indicate on your application that you're interested in the SIGP. Additionally, please reach out to Dr. Robin Kimmerer at rkimmer@esf.edu and cc cnpeinfo@esf.edu so we can also discuss your specific areas of interest and guide you to the most appropriate graduate advisor.

The first criteria for selection is acceptance to the SUNY ESF Graduate School. Acceptance to ESF is based upon a number of factors, including undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, and relevant professional and life experience. While there is a minimum GPA for admission, the graduate dean can exercise discretion with respect to individual applicants, and the GRE requirement can be waived upon request. SUNY ESF considers the whole person in making admissions decisions! Additionally, all prospective applicants to the SIGP qualify for an application fee waiver. We strongly advise prospective applications to reach out to Dr. Robin Kimmerer with questions

SUNY ESF offers more than 40 M.S. and Ph.D. programs in STEM fields. Eligible departments include: Chemistry, Environmental Biology (formerly known as Environmental and Forest Biology), Environmental Resource Engineering, Environmental Science, Sustainable Resources Management (formerly known as Forest and Natural Resources Management), and Chemical Engineering (formerly known as Paper and Bioprocess Engineering). For a complete listing of degree programs, please see The Graduate School website.

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! Rember 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.