ELEVATE / FAQ
Do you have questions that aren’t answered here? Email us at elevate@umass.edu.
Are you interested in applying? Fill out our brief interest form to get help identifying potential advisors.
Do ELEVATE students work as RAs?
Yes, students accepted into ELEVATE receive funded research assistantships working directly with one of our faculty members.
Can ELEVATE students choose their own research topic?
Students select research topics that align with ELEVATE goals, in collaboration with their research advisor. Cross-disciplinary collaboration with other faculty and students will be a core aspect of ELEVATE research.
What courses are required for ELEVATE?
Students take an interdisciplinary course to establish a shared understanding of electricity markets, as well as a course in public engagement. Students also attend seminars and other program activities focused on a broad range of topics including renewable electricity technologies, climate change, and social equity. Students must meet the requirements of the department and program in which they are enrolled, and the program is designed so that students graduate on a standard timeline.
Are international students eligible to apply?
International students are no longer eligible for the ELEVATE program.
What is the difference between a Fellow and an Affiliate?
ELEVATE Fellows are PhD students who are nominated by faculty and receive funding to participate in all aspects of the ELEVATE program during their entire time at UMass Amherst. Fellows typically enter the ELEVATE program in their first year as a PhD student, though occasional in their second year. ELEVATE Affiliates are typically MS or PhD students already at UMass Amherst, with research interests that align with the program. These students do not receive funding, but participate in some aspects of the program, and are eligible for travel grants and other benefits. Information for faculty on how to nominate a Fellow or Affiliate is available on the Apply page.