Applications are open for the University of Notre Dame’s PhD in Sustainable Development for Fall 2027, a fully funded doctoral programme based in the Keough School of Global Affairs in the United States. The programme is designed for scholars working on climate change, environmental governance, development policy, inequality and human well-being, and it includes full tuition, a 12-month living stipend, health insurance subsidy and up to $4,000 for conference presentations and professional development. .
Key facts
- Applications are open for Fall 2027 admission to Notre Dame’s PhD in Sustainable Development.
- The programme is housed in the Keough School of Global Affairs.
- Admitted students receive full tuition, a 12-month stipend, a health insurance subsidy and up to $4,000 for conference and professional development.
- The PhD is STEM-designated and combines quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- The application deadline is Dec. 1, 2026, and applications are submitted through Notre Dame Graduate School.
What does this mean for students and applicants?
For doctoral applicants, the announcement means a fully funded route into an interdisciplinary PhD that links sustainable development research with policy-relevant work. The programme is aimed at students interested in climate, governance, poverty, public policy and related questions, and it offers structured doctoral training together with teaching and research assistant opportunities.
What is the University of Notre Dame PhD in Sustainable Development?
The PhD is an interdisciplinary doctoral programme that treats sustainable development as a broad field spanning human development, environmental sustainability, institutions, governance, economic systems and political behavior. Notre Dame says the programme is intended to prepare scholars for both academic research and real-world policymaking and practice.
The curriculum includes 15 credits of core coursework, 21 credits of electives and 30 dissertation credits. Students take five required courses in the first two years, then move into dissertation research beginning in Year 3.
How is the programme funded?
Admitted students receive a full tuition scholarship, a 12-month living stipend, a health insurance subsidy and up to $4,000 for conference presentations and professional development. The source material does not give the exact stipend amount, but it says the support extends across the full calendar year.
What kinds of research does it emphasize?
The programme highlights climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, environmental governance and development policy. It also stresses rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods, with at least three electives required to focus on advanced research methods.
Notre Dame describes the degree as STEM-designated and says it is built around evidence, data, analysis and empirical investigation. Students are also expected to complete a seminar on research for impact, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on communication beyond academia.
How long does the PhD usually take?
Most students complete the programme in approximately five years, although timing can vary based on academic preparation, research progress, fieldwork, data availability and dissertation development. Students normally complete the oral qualifying exam at the end of Year 2, the candidacy exam in Year 3 and the dissertation defense in Year 5.
When is the deadline?
Applications for the Fall 2027 intake must be submitted by Dec. 1, 2026, through the University of Notre Dame Graduate School application system. The programme page says applications are now open.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Notre Dame Sustainable Development PhD fully funded?
Yes. Admitted students receive full tuition, a 12-month stipend, a health insurance subsidy and up to $4,000 for conference presentations and professional development.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for the Fall 2027 intake is Dec. 1, 2026.
