PhD Admissions

2026-2027 Application Cycle

The application portal for the 2026-2027 Ph.D. Graduate Admissions cycle is now closed. E-IPER welcomes applications for fall matriculation only. 

Preparation:  Ph.D. Admissions Timeline

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Environment and Resources Ph.D.  Below you will find a timeline of our application process, as well as links to information to help you through the process:

  • August-September 2025: E-IPER Ph.D. Admissions Information Sessions
  • September 2025: E-IPER Ph.D. Application opens. Visit this page to apply to our graduate program
  • November 4, 2025: Fee Waiver Application Deadline - certain applicants are eligible for application fee waivers. Please check the Application Fee Waiver for more details
  • November 18, 2025: E-IPER Ph.D. Application Deadline - all required materials must be submitted
  • March 2026 (tentative): A short list of prospective students will be invited for a site visit interview
  • March 2026: Final Decisions will be communicated to all applicants
  • April 15, 2026: Response Deadline from Admitted Students

EIPER Admissions: Step-By-Step

1:  Learn more about the EIPER program

  • Visit our About E-IPER page for an overview of the program
  • Check out our News page to see what current students and faculty are working on
  • Browse our list of faculty and current students, to get a better sense of the research that we do

2:  Learn more about our E-IPER admissions process

3:  Reach out to faculty you might be interested in working with

  • You can find potential advisors from our current faculty list and by looking at the advisors of our current students, but you can also find potential faculty across all seven schools at Stanford. We encourage you to reach out to faculty in advance, but don’t worry if you don’t hear back; you can still list those faculty on your application.

4:  Learn more about the EIPER Ph.D. program

  • You can read more about the requirements of the Ph.D. program

5:  Submit your application by November 18, 2025 @ 11:59 pm PST

Application Status

Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot respond to individual inquiries about the status of an application or on documents submitted. To avoid potential conflict of interest, E-IPER staff and admissions committee does not meet 1:1 with candidates nor advises on applicants' application materials. For more information about the application process and specific requirements, please visit Graduate Admissions. If you have additional questions, please contact E-IPER Admin.

PhD Admissions

PhD Application

PhD Admissions Information Sessions

Please join an online information session for more information about the admissions process and program details. Each session will last approximately 45 minutes, followed by a 10 minute Q&A. No pre-registration necessary. Sessions are not recorded.

  • Wednesday, July 30  @ 10:00 am PST
  • Tuesday, August 26 @ 12:00 pm PST
  • Tuesday, September 16 @ 11:00 am PST

Funding

Regardless of citizenship or financial circumstances, all admitted E-IPER Ph.D. students are guaranteed five years of funding, compiled from a variety of sources including teaching assistantships, research assistantships, gifts, and endowed funds.

Ph.D. applicants are also encouraged to investigate outside funding opportunities, such as the National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Energy graduate research fellowships (these opportunities from federal agencies are limited to US citizens and permanent residents), and other fellowships and grants for which they might be eligible. 

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS).

KHS admits up to 100 applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of KHS's leadership program, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford.

Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment.

If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 8, 2025. Learn more about KHS admission.