Interdisciplinary Graduate Curricula
The Nebraska Institute of Great Plains does not grant degrees independently but partners deeply with several universities to offer specialized graduate-level programs and certificates. The cornerstone is the Great Plains Studies Graduate Fellowship, which supports Masters and PhD students from diverse disciplines—including ecology, history, economics, sociology, and engineering—whose research focuses on the region. Fellows enroll in a core seminar, 'Perspectives on the Great Plains,' which provides a common intellectual foundation, exploring the region's environmental history, cultural complexities, and contemporary issues. Beyond this, students design their own course of study, drawing on courses from their home departments and unique offerings from the Institute, such as 'Advanced Seminar in Arid Lands Ecology' and 'Policy and Rural Community Development.' This structure ensures fellows develop both deep disciplinary expertise and a broad, holistic understanding of the Plains system.
Hands-On Research and Fieldwork
The Institute's programs are emphatically field-based. Every fellow is required to complete a substantial research project or thesis in direct collaboration with Institute scientists or community partners. This could involve months living at a remote field station collecting ecological data, conducting oral history interviews in a declining rural town, or working with a cooperative extension office to trial a new agricultural practice. The Institute provides grants for this field research, covering travel, equipment, and living expenses. This immersive model is designed to break down the barrier between academia and the real world, producing graduates who are not just theorists but skilled practitioners. Students learn to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences, from scientific peers to county board meetings, a skill highly valued by future employers in academia, government, NGOs, and industry.
Post-Doctoral and Visiting Scholar Opportunities
For scholars who have recently earned their doctorates, the Institute offers competitive post-doctoral fellowships. These two-year positions provide funding, mentorship, and access to the Institute's resources to turn a dissertation into publishable manuscripts or to launch a new, ambitious research agenda. Post-docs are integrated into the Institute's research teams and often co-teach seminars with senior faculty, gaining valuable teaching and project management experience. Additionally, the Institute hosts a vibrant Visiting Scholars program, attracting established academics, writers, and artists from around the world who wish to engage with the Great Plains. This creates a dynamic intellectual environment where graduate fellows can network with leading figures in their field. The ultimate aim of these academic programs is to build a sustained pipeline of talented, committed individuals who will dedicate their careers to the stewardship and understanding of the Great Plains, wherever their professional paths may lead them.