The Environmental Research Institute (ERI) is a research and public outreach wing of Vassar’s Environmental Studies program. The ERI’s mission is to provide opportunities for faculty and students to conduct research on Earth’s environmental systems, to promote fieldwork, and to foster engagement with the local community. To meet these goals, the ERI promotes and funds multidisciplinary science research and education, hosts educational events and conferences, and acts as a bridge to the larger Hudson Valley community on environmental concerns. ERI By-laws: describes the functions, structures, and processes of ERI.
- Steering Committee 2025-2026:
- Jodi Schwarz (Biology and ERI Coordinator) joschwarz@vassar.edu
- Leah Bendavid (Chemistry)
- Laura Haynes (Earth Science)
- Jeff Seidman (Philosophy)
- Denise Iris (Film, Spring 2026)
- Alison Keimowitz (ENST Director)
- ERI Administrative Assistant: Darcy Gordineer (dagordineer@vassar.edu)
Funding Opportunities
For Environmental Research by Faculty and Students
- Faculty Funding: for Research, including Conference Travel ($6,000 max award)
- Student Funding: for Research and Conference Travel ($1000 max award)
- Dept/Program Funding: Environmental Research Instrumentation ($6,000 or $30,000 depending on instrument use)
For Student Summer Research / Internships
For faculty to teach ENST 254: Environmental Science in the Field field component
Affiliated Organizations and Offices
Affiliated Campus Groups
- Vassar College Office of Sustainability
- Environmental Management and Monitoring Alliance (EMMA)
- Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Barns
Affiliated Regional Groups
- DutchessWatersheds.org
- Environmental Consortium of Colleges and Universities in the Hudson Valley
- Hudson River Estuary Program of the NY DEC
Page modified 7/2024.