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WHO WE ARE
The UC Irvine Community Geoscience Initiative (CGI) tackles local environmental issues through collaborative, community-engaged research. We seek to transform the geosciences by fostering a learning environment that centers the needs of communities that are most impacted by environmental threats and hazards.
2026-2027 Cohort APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN March 1st through APril 24th, 2026
The presentation slides from our March 3rd, 2026, recruitment information session are available HERE.
What We Offer
Fellowships
CJI recruits a combination PhD students and postbacs each year for fully-funded one-year fellowships. Fellows participate in coursework, cross-disciplinary community-based research, and hands-on research training with UCI faculty mentors (postbacs only). Fellows become part of a vibrant UCI community that includes students, faculty and staff with a shared commitment to addressing environmental challenges affecting local communities.
Training program
Through collaboration with the UCI Research Justice Shop, fellows enroll in a weekly practicum course in which participants learn about social science and physical science approaches to climate change research and community-based research principles. Fellows also take courses in social science and communication skills. Throughout the year, they receive tailored mentorship and participate in a wide array of professional development and career development workshops.
Community-Based Research
Fellows co-design and conduct team-based research projects with local community-based organizations, with the aim of sharing their technical expertise with the Southern California communities that are most impacted by environmental challenges.
OUR Leadership Team
Meet the interdisciplinary team of UCI faculty behind the Community Geoscience Initiative.
