Program Overview & Goals
The primary goal of the Cary Fellows Program is to bring dynamic professionals to the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies to actively contribute to our intellectual community, develop lasting professional relationships, and build enduring collaborations. The program explicitly seeks to introduce perspectives, expertise, and skills that are complementary to and/or distinct from those already present at the Institute.
We encourage applicants from a diversity of personal and professional backgrounds, including researchers, practitioners, educators, policymakers, and others whose work intersects with ecosystem science. The program supports a broad spectrum of activities aligned with institutional goals, including collaborative research, proposal writing, professional training, education initiatives, or other collaborative activities. Cary Fellows will receive a stipend to support travel, housing, research, and/or salary, tailored to the fellow’s needs and available institutional funding.
Fellowship Scope & Priority Themes
The Cary Fellows Program welcomes innovative proposals across ecosystem science and related fields. While we encourage applications from all strong candidates, carbon cycle modeling is a particular area of interest for 2026. Applicants working outside this theme are equally welcome to apply and all applicants will be given equal consideration regardless of their fit to this area of interest.
Resources & Support Provided
To ensure a successful and productive residency, Cary Fellows are provided with the following institutional resources:
- Workspace: Fellows receive dedicated office space and, upon request, access to laboratory space during their visit.
- Financial Support: A stipend of up to $25,000 will be provided to support travel, housing, research, and/or salary, tailored to the fellow’s needs and available institutional funding.
- On-Campus Housing: When available, on-campus housing at the Cary Institute will be offered for rent, with accommodations that can suit both the fellow and their family.
- Official Affiliation: Fellows receive a 1-year official affiliation with the Cary Institute as a Cary Fellow. This includes the eligibility to submit external grant proposals through the Cary Institute as a co-Principal Investigator (co-PI) in partnership with a Cary-affiliated Lead PI.
Residency Requirements & Expectations
Cary Fellows are expected to be active contributors to the Institute’s daily intellectual community. Minimum expectations include:
- In-Person Residency: Fellows must spend at least two months in-person at the Cary Institute over the course of their fellowship. This time may be split across multiple visits.
- Community Presence: Fellows are expected to proactively engage with the community via their physical presence at the Tozer Ecosystem Science Building and through regular attendance at institutional gatherings, such as shared lunches, seminars, and other events.
Eligibility Criteria
The program is open to any type of external professional, but applicants cannot already hold a position at the Cary Institute. While applicants may have pre-existing collaborations with Cary scientists, their role as a Cary Fellow must focus on advancing new research directions or novel collaborative pathways. Finally, applicants are expected to work with more than one Cary scientist and must demonstrate a clear plan for active engagement across the broader Cary Institute community.
Application Package & Submission Guidelines
Applicants must collaboratively develop their application package with one or more core Cary scientists who will serve as their official fellowship host(s). Prospective hosts are expected to help co-write the proposal narrative and inform the budget.
A complete application package must include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Engagement Proposal (Maximum 2 pages): A clear narrative expressing why the applicant is a strong fit for the program. This statement must outline specific plans for active engagement with both their host(s) and the broader Cary community, alongside explicit expected outcomes. Fellows must have explicit plans to interact with more than one Cary scientist or institutional program (e.g., the Education Program), which is not limited to their host(s).
- Itemized Budget: A budget detailing the financial support necessary for a successful fellowship. Budgets may include requests for stipends, travel, housing, and/or other miscellaneous expenses directly related to the fellowship.
Selection Criteria
Applicants to the Cary Fellows program will be evaluated based on four central criteria: (1) the candidates are eligible for the program, (2) candidates add new perspectives and/or other forms of diversity that enhance Cary’s intellectual community, (3) candidates articulate clear and specific plans to engage with the Cary community, either related to the 2026 priority area or in another area, and (4) the proposed activities are feasible given logistical and budgetary constraints. We strongly encourage applicants that fit the stated priority areas, but those applicants do not necessarily receive priority beyond the criteria described above.
How to Apply
Interested individuals should first identify and reach out to potential hosts among the Cary Institute core scientists to establish collaborative alignment. Completed application materials should be submitted by October 1, 2026. For general questions regarding the Cary Fellows Program, please contact the chair of the Cary Fellows Committee, Evan Gora (gorae@caryinstitute.org).
International Applicants
We enthusiastically welcome and encourage applicants from anywhere in the world. However, it remains the responsibility of the applicant to secure all appropriate visas and legal travel permissions required to travel to and reside in the United States for this program.
Tax and Benefit Status
Cary Fellow positions do not constitute employment and do not include fringe benefits. Fellows are entirely responsible for paying any appropriate taxes associated with the funds received as part of their fellowship.
Key Dates & Timeline (2026 Cycle)
July 1, 2026: Official solicitation opens and applications begin being accepted.
October 1, 2026: Complete application packages are due.
November 20, 2026: Expected date by which applicants are notified of the outcome.
Spring or Fall 2027: Fellowship residency begins at the Cary Institute.