Apply now for the fully funded 2026/27 PhD program in Global Environmental Policy at Stanford University

Ednah Carrick October 24, 2025

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Closing Date: 1 December 2025

Apply now for the fully funded 2026/27 PhD program in Global Environmental Policy at Stanford University

Exciting call for a new PhD program in Global Environmental Policy at Stanford University’s new Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. The PhD program in Global Environmental Policy first cohort will matriculate in Fall 2026. Students will be fully funded for 5 years, cohorts will be small, and students will work closely with a community of excellent faculty that have a strong record of research and placing mentees in academic careers.

About the program:

The Global Environmental Policy (GEP) PhD program aims to train the next generation of intellectual leaders in the design and analysis of global environmental policy solutions. Through coursework, students will develop expertise in key quantitative disciplines which they integrate in research that addresses unsolved global challenges; such as the management of climate change, biodiversity loss, food systems, pollution, global health, natural disasters, energy resources, use of outer space, water resources, and ecosystems.

GEP research aims to improve existing policies and to shape future policies. Students will be educated in GEP courses as well as in courses taught by Stanford’s leading departments of economics, computer science, environmental science, law, and political science. Students will be trained to design and execute rigorous research that advances scientific understanding and impacts policy. Applicants should have a strong interest in social science, data science, and environmental science and have strong quantitative background in these disciplines.

The Global Environmental Policy (GEP) is a subplan in the Environmental Social Sciences PhD program and aims to train the next generation of intellectual leaders in the design and analysis of global environmental policy solutions

The Environmental Social Sciences PhD program offers subplans in Environmental Behavioral Science (EBS) and Global Environmental Policy (GEP). The subplans share much of the same structure and requirements regarding units, candidacy, qualification, annual review, defense, and timeline, but differ in terms of specific course requirements and admissions review.

2026-2027 Application Cycle

The application portal for the 2026-2027 Ph.D. Graduate Admissions cycle will opened on September 15, 2025. Applicants must indicate whether they are applying to the EBS subplan or GEP subplan. The Environmental Social Sciences PhD program welcomes applications for fall matriculation only.

Required Materials

Materials must be submitted online to Stanford Graduate Admissions, and all applicants must submit the following materials:

A statement of purpose. This statement should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at Stanford, your preparation for this field of study, research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. Highlight your motivation and preparation for graduate study in the Stanford program and describe at least one research question on which you could be interested in working were you a PhD student in Stanford program. Please also describe how you might approach this problem. This statement should not exceed two single-spaced pages.
Research experience (optional). Here you can describe any prior research experience in two pages or less. This should not be duplicative of information in the Statement of Purpose.
Three letters of recommendation. Stanford highly recommend that at least one letter come from a university professor familiar with your academic work and performance.
Transcripts. Please upload scanned (unofficial) copies of transcripts from every college and university you attended for at least one full year as a full-time student by the application deadline as part of your online application. If you are offered admission to Stanford and accept the offer, you will be required to submit official transcripts/degree conferral documents.
English proficiency test. For applicants whose first language is not English, TOEFL or IELTS scores are required*. For additional information about the English proficiency test exceptions and required exams, please click here.
GRE. The general GRE test is optional for both subplans and there is no minimum GRE score. However, the GEP subplan STRONGLY encourages the GRE submission for full consideration*. EBS subplan applicants can submit their GRE scores if they wish and scores will be evaluated with your application in a holistic manner.
* Students are strongly advised to take standardized tests no later than mid-October to ensure scores are transmitted to the department by the application deadline. Applicants can self report GRE scores when submitting their application but will be asked to report official scores during the interview process (see timeline below). Stanford’s ETS institutional code for submission of scores is 4704