C-DEBI Graduate Fellowship: $32,000 for Marine Deep Biosphere Research – Apply by Jan 31, 2026

The Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) has listed opportunities for its Graduate Fellowship Program. This fellowship is designed to support graduate students conducting innovative research on the marine deep biosphere, specifically life found in marine sediments and ocean crust.

Selected fellows receive a stipend of $32,000, paid directly to their home institution. If you are a graduate student with a cutting-edge proposal that answers fundamental questions about the deep sub-seafloor biosphere, this is a premier funding opportunity. The deadline listed for the upcoming cycle is January 31, 2026.

Fellowship Overview & Key Details

Research Focus: The Deep Biosphere

The program seeks innovative projects that push the boundaries of what we know about life beneath the ocean floor. Key Areas: Research must concern life in marine sediments and ocean crust. Goal: Proposals should aim to answer current fundamental research questions or develop new hypotheses for future studies of the deep sub-seafloor.

Eligibility Criteria

This fellowship is open to talented researchers from diverse backgrounds. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• Enrollment: You must be a student in good standing who has been accepted into a graduate program (Prospective or Current).
• Institutional Fit: Your home institution must be a US institution capable of receiving NSF funding as a subaward.
• Advisor Support: You must identify a primary advisor who agrees to sponsor you and commit to meeting with you at least twice monthly.
• Overhead Policy: Your institution must agree that no part of the award will be used for overhead or administrative costs.

Financial Benefits

The fellowship provides direct financial support to allow you to focus on your research. Stipend: A total of $32,000 is distributed as stipend funds to your advisor's home institution. Renewal: The fellowship can be renewed for a second year, contingent upon a successful evaluation near the end of Year 1.

Application Requirements

To apply, you will need to submit a comprehensive research packet. Ensure you have the following:

1. Research Proposal: A detailed outline of your proposed study.
2. Implementation Statement: How you plan to execute the research.
3. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.).
4. Advisor Materials: Documentation and support from your faculty advisor.
5. Recommendation: A second faculty recommendation letter.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted directly to the C-DEBI administration. Ensure all materials are sent before the deadline.

Submission Contact: Email: duguay@usc.edu Address: Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, Allan Hancock Foundation Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0371.

Official Application Link: Click Here to Apply for C-DEBI Fellowship