National Science FoundationInFEWS

Partners

University of Arizona
In partnership with Diné College and the Navajo Technical University, the University of Arizona hosts a graduate training program that provides a diverse STEM education with intercultural awareness and multidisciplinary skills for research in sustainable FEWs. The traineeship centers on the development of novel, sustainable solutions for off-grid production of safe drinking water and controlled environment agriculture systems. Trainees work collaboratively with Indigenous communities to ultimately build culturally acceptable technology.

USF Strong Coasts: University of South Florida and University of the Virgin Island
The University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Virgin Island (UVI) partner together to teach a training and research program on FEWS where graduates from multiple discilines design innovative solutions with coastal community partners to complex, interconnected coastal issues. The program pushes the concept of “ridge-to-reef systems” in new directions by considering the technological, institutional, environmental, and sociocultural factors that shape FEWs. The two universities also work closely with “FEWs Global – Belize”, a newly developed NRT field course in Belize that integrates stakeholder workshops with Ya’axché Conversation Trust, agroforestry tours with Mayan farmers, and interdisciplinary teams to develop new framework models for FEWs based on community partners.

Diné College
Established in 1968, Diné College is known as the first tribally affiliated and accredited collegiate institute in the United States. Its mission includes upholding student success and encouraging Navajo youth to become contributing members of the Navajo Nation by providing a high-quality educational experience through various Associates and Bachelors degree programs in key areas such as economics, politics, and environment. Diné College is located at Tsaile (pronounced Tsééhílí), Arizona, a scenic location “where the stream flows into the canyon”. Neighboring cities include Window Rock, Chinle, and Tuba City for the Arizona campus, collectively serving as the capital of the Navajo Nation.

Blum Center for Developing Economies, UC Berkeley
The Blum Center has worked with the Northern California Pomo Nations for over 10 years training students to collaborate with Native nations on issues of food, energy, and water systems (FEWs). These collaborations have covered everything from creek restoration and community garden projects to contextualizing STEM education for Native youth that focuses on FEWs. More than 20 undergraduate and graduate students, including students in the InFEWs program, have been a part of the teams. 

National Science FoundationThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DGE-1633740. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Blum Center for Developing Economies
The University of California, Berkeley
Blum Hall, #5570
Berkeley, CA 94720-5570
(510) 643-5316 • blumcenter@berkeley.edu
Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 Blum Center for Developing Economies

Host and Fellow Responsibilities

Host Organizations

  • Identify staff supervisor to manage I&E Climate Action Fellow
  • Submit fellowship description and tasks
  • Engage in the matching process
  • Mentor and advise students
  • Communicate with Berkeley program director and give feedback on the program.

Berkeley Program Director​

  • Communicate with host organizations, students, and other university departments to ensure smooth program operations

Student Fellows

  • Complete application and cohort activities
  • Communicate with staff and host organizations
  • Successfully complete assignments from host organization during summer practicum
  • Summarize and report summer experience activities post-fellowship