Student Engagement

Central to J-WAFS’ mission is the cultivation of the next generation of leaders in the water and food sectors.

Through funding opportunities, events, support for clubs and entrepreneurship, and mentorship, we endeavor to expose students across the Institute to exciting research, networking, and professional opportunities in water and food.

Examples of our work in this area

Graduate Fellowships Supporting PhD Research

J-WAFS provides a variety of funding opportunities for students, including graduate fellowships that provide outstanding students the opportunity to focus on individual research projects.

Student Clubs and Initiatives Focused on Water and Food

J-WAFS works closely with the MIT Water Club and the MIT Food and Agriculture Club, providing mentorship, sponsorship, and other support for their initiatives.

Man presenting presentation called "Roadmap to Success"

Student Innovation Prizes in the Water and Food Sectors

Two global-scale innovation prizes produced by student clubs at MIT and supported by J-WAFS provide opportunities for student teams to compete for startup funding for water, food, and agriculture business ventures.

Student speaking to two others on farm in India

Targeted Grants Supporting MIT Student-led Research

Students are eligible to apply for J-WAFS implementation grants related to targeted challenges in the water and food sectors.

“If it weren’t for the J-WAFS fellowship, I would have had to seek funding [through grants] for work on completely different topics. Thanks to J-WAFS, I had the funding to focus on my work in my last year and finish my dissertation.”

—Sarah Fletcher PhD ’18 and Postdoc in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 2017-2018 Rasikbhai Fellow for Water Solutions