Established in 2025, the ILWA Fellows Program brings together faculty and professionals to advance interdisciplinary land, water, and air projects with clear policy relevance for Utah. Fellows work collaboratively over a year to develop actionable insights, build relationships with decision-makers, and translate research into meaningful policy impact.
The application is open from February 1 - March 15 of each year.
Program Purpose
The Fellows Program is designed to:
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across land, water, and air research
- Support projects that are ready to inform policy action
- Strengthen connections between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers
- Produce recommendations that contribute to Utah’s land, water, and air decision-making
Fellows’ work is integrated into ILWA’s broader policy engagement, including contributions to the annual Report to the Governor and Legislature on Utah’s Land, Water, and Air.
2026-27 Cohort
The program includes a small group of faculty and experts from both Utah State University and external partner organizations, bringing a diversity of expertise and perspectives. Fellows participate in the program from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
What Fellows Do
Fellows commit to:
- Completing a project related to land, water, or air with policy relevance
- Participating in monthly cohort meetings
- Collaborating with ILWA staff and fellow cohort members
- Sharing updates and work products for broader communication and impact
In return, fellows receive:
- Guidance from ILWA on policy context, opportunities, and audiences
- Support in refining recommendations for real-world application
- Visibility through ILWA communications and policy products
Meetings & Engagement
The cohort meets monthly and participates in structured discussions focused on project development, policy strategy, and communication. Select meetings include engagement with policymakers, agency staff, and ILWA leadership.
Selection
ILWA Fellows will be selected through an application process aligned with the ILWA Impact Grant timeline. (Impact grant applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.) Fellows may be selected based on an existing project or a skill set that aligns with priority policy needs.
Questions?
Contact Anna McEntire, Managing Director (anna.mcentire@usu.edu).