About EPN
The Environmental Protection Network (EPN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization comprising more than 750 former EPA scientists, toxicologists, chemists, biologists, engineers, and policy analysts — many of whom spent decades as career experts inside the agency. They assessed cancer and developmental risks, studied links between pollution and fertility and chronic disease, investigated contaminated communities, and brought enforcement actions to hold corporate polluters accountable. EPN was founded in 2017 to serve as an independent voice promoting science-based policies that protect Americans’ health. Our Civil Service Resilience Initiative supports former federal scientists and engineers who have been displaced from their roles, helping them stay active, connected, and contributing to the field they have dedicated their careers to.
About the Fellowship
The EPN Environmental Science Impact Fellowship provides $50,000 in annual support to former EPA scientists and engineers whose federal roles have been disrupted. Fellows continue the research, policy, and/or scientific work they were doing at EPA—with formal EPN affiliation, mentorship from former EPA scientists, and membership in a growing community of people navigating this moment together.
This is not a traditional academic fellowship. It is a professional bridge—designed to keep expert scientists in the field, their work moving forward, and their expertise available to the public and to the future.
Fellowship Details
- Award: $50,000 per year
- Payment: $25,000 at start, $25,000 at mid-year check-in
- Term: One year, reviewed and renewable annually for up to three years
- Number: Have secured funding for 10 fellows for 3 years, may secure more
- Affiliation: Fellows are formally affiliated with EPN as the host institution
- Launch: Early July 2026
- Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 (Priority Deadline: May 1, 2026)
Eligibility Considerations
- Former EPA scientists or engineers who separated from federal service in 2024 or later
- Any scientific field or discipline
- No geographic restriction
- Current employment status is not a barrier to applying
- Must have a focus area and vision for the work you intend to pursue—whether original research, science policy conceptualization, data preservation, science communication, or another form of EPA-related scientific engagement
- Environmental health impacts disproportionately affect the most marginalized people in society, including people of color, people from working-class backgrounds, women, and LGBTQIA+ people. Because we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.
What Fellows Receive
- $50,000 annual fellowship
- Formal EPN affiliation
- Access to EPN’s partner organization network — including Georgetown University’s Environmental Metrology and Policy Program (EMAP)
- Access to volunteer (former) EPA scientist mentors, collaborators and colleagues
- Membership in a growing community of former EPA scientists and engineers — with tailored programming, group convenings, mentorship, and ongoing support
Example Partner Organization
Georgetown University’s Environmental Metrology and Policy Program (EMAP) is available as a partner organization for fellows. EMAP offers access to state-of-the-art laboratory and research infrastructure, academic mentorship, and integration into an active research community at the intersection of environmental science and policy.
How to Use the $50,000
Fellows have flexibility in how they direct their funds, as long as it is tied to their work. Eligible uses include but are not limited to:
- Salary or salary supplement
- Re-direct to a partnership institution (e.g., Georgetown EMAP) that supports your proposal
- Research expenses: lab materials, field work, data, software
- Supporting collaborators
- Travel and conferences
- Equipment
- Training and professional development
- Publication and dissemination costs
- Other items approved by EPN
Before You Apply—What You Will Need to Complete Your Application
We recommend having the following ready before you begin:
- Resume and/or CV with Cover Letter: Combine into a single document with your cover letter on the first page. This is uploaded directly to the application form.
- Proposal Narrative Document: This is the most important part of your application. Prepare a separate Google Doc or Word document responding to each of the following prompts in 1 to 2 paragraphs each. Please do not exceed 3,000 words total. You will upload this document to the application form.
- What are you proposing to do through this fellowship?
- Continuity with EPA Work — How does this work continue or build on what you were doing at EPA?
- Scientific Merit — Describe the scientific basis of your proposed work. Why is this work scientifically credible and grounded in your expertise?
- Potential for Impact — What gap created by federal disruption does your work address? Who benefits and how? What would be lost if this work did not continue?
- Clarity of Vision and Engagement — What does meaningful engagement in this work look like over the fellowship period? At the end of year one, what will you have accomplished and what does success look like?
- Diversity of Perspectives — What background, experience, or point of view do you bring that is distinct? How does your perspective strengthen the work you are proposing?
- Reference Information: Have the name, title, organization, email, and your relationship to 2 to 3 professional references ready.
- Partner Organization Information (if applicable): If you have a partner organization in mind, be prepared to name it, describe why it is a strong fit, and describe what role they will play. A partner organization is not required.
How to Apply
This fellowship program and application is for former EPA scientists and engineers who separated from the agency from January 2024 to present. If you have been directed here, you are encouraged to apply using this link.
Questions? Contact Rodney Rhodes Jr at rodney.rhodes@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org
By applying, we welcome you to a community of scientists committed to continuing this work. Regardless of the outcome of your application, we look forward to staying connected.
