VANCOUVER — Three scholars will get the chance to follow in David Suzuki’s footsteps next year, thanks to a fellowship program launched today by the David Suzuki Foundation.

Thanks to generous donors, the Foundation is offering annual fellowships, with $50,000 plus $5,000 for travel and other professional expenses, as well as access to office space and computers. The first three fellows will work in the Foundation’s Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto offices on climate change solutions related to transportation, clean energy and Indigenous knowledge.

Under the guidance of Foundation staff and mentors, including David Suzuki himself, each will be required to complete a one-year research project as well as contribute to Foundation work and initiatives. Foundation staff will foster leadership, provide mentorship and reduce financial barriers so fellows can work on solving complex environmental challenges.

David Suzuki said he understands the value of help and encouragement for students and academics who want to put their education to good use.

“When I was accepted into Amherst College in Massachusetts in the 1950s, a healthy scholarship made attending possible,” Suzuki said. “I did an honours degree in biology and was inspired by Prof. Bill Hexter to go into genetics after graduating. I went to the University of Chicago, where I studied and worked as a research assistant to fruit fly geneticist Bill Baker and then received a large scholarship that helped me finish my PhD in three years. In 1961, I worked as a research associate at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s biology division under Dan Lindsley, one of the world’s leading experts in chromosome manipulation.”

Like David Suzuki, fellows will learn communication and public engagement strategies so they can share their research findings with the public.

Fellowships are open to Canadian citizens, or those with work visas, with a master’s degree or PhD, or in the final year of a PhD.

“I’m extremely grateful to all who helped me academically and financially during my studies,” Suzuki said. “I hope we can do the same for some of today’s bright students and academics who want to put their ever-growing knowledge to resolving some of the environmental crises we face.”

For information on applying for a fellowship, visit fellowships.davidsuzuki.org. The applications deadline is February 1, 2017.

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For information, contact:
Harpreet Johal, David Suzuki Foundation: hjohal@davidsuzuki.org
Theresa Beer, David Suzuki Foundation: 778-874-3396