Applications Open for 2026-27 Environmental Justice Leaders

The UC Davis Feminist Research Institute and UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies invite experienced environmental justice professionals interested in sustainable transportation, mobility justice, research justice, and/or disability justice to apply for the 2026-27 UC Davis Environmental Justice Leaders Program (EJLP). 

About the Program

EJLP seeks to improve conditions in communities most burdened by pollution through community-led research and policy projects. The first step in this process is to build relationships of trust between researchers and people working on the frontlines of environmental justice. The EJ Leaders Program supports that trust-building process with university researchers and policymakers. 

In 2026-27, the program will focus on environmental justice at the intersection of mobility justice & transportation, research justice & artificial intelligence (AI), and disability justice & chronic illness. These seemingly separate issues are interlinked in their impacts upon everyday lives. Disability, mobility, and everyday possibilities are shaped by our environment, transportation systems, and new technologies. New technologies such as AI, electric vehicles (EVs), and low-carbon options have uneven impacts–often doing little for communities most impacted by the environmental harms of technologies while those in power reap benefits. Inspired by disability activists, we embrace the ethos, “nothing about us without us.” By working together, we can hold up the expertise of those most impacted by injustices, identify what knowledge and actions we most need right now, and find solutions that redress root issues.  

Participants will engage with UC Davis researchers and students through participation in events, workshops, and discussions. Each leader will meet with a research mentor, have the chance to work directly with engaged students, and gain access to research resources. Our hope is that this sustained dialogue will lead to new, community-driven research projects, meaningful policy interventions, and ongoing collaborations. 

This cohort will focus on EJ leaders close to UC Davis to deepen local relationships and enable more in-person visits.  Applications are open to leaders living within California, with preference for Yolo, Sacramento, Solano, San Joaquin, Lake, Colusa, Sutter, and Napa county. The program will begin in September 2026 and continue through September 2027. 

About the host centers

This program is a partnership between the Feminist Research Institute and the Institute of Transportation Studies. This alliance pairs a liberatory, care-centered approach to research with cutting edge technical and policy expertise. EJ Leaders may also work with others in the UC Davis research community.

The UCD Feminist Research Institute seeks to change research culture to be more just and impactful. FRI moves from values of humility–recognizing what we don’t know and honoring expertise that have been systemically devalued, collaboration–working from an ethos of curiosity and generosity, and liberation–understanding that all communities have the right to define thriving for themselves. 

The UCD Institute of Transportation Studies is the world’s leading institution for sustainable transportation, with strong relationships to policymakers, industry, and non-governmental organizations. ITS’s mission is to serve the needs of society and promote a more effective, sustainable, and equitable transportation system.

Who is Eligible

Note: Eligibility was updated on 6/30/26. 

Eligible applicants must:

• Work in environmental justice with an interest in addressing issues of mobility, transportation, knowledge access and production (including AI), and/or disability
  • Note: If you work for a government agency or the State of California, you may not be eligible for the stipend depending on the nature of the work and your position. You are still eligible for consideration, but may not receive a stipend if selected. Questions can be directed to [email protected];
• Live/work in California and be able to visit Davis/Sacramento monthly. We are particularly interested in applicants from Colusa, Lake, Napa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Sutter, and Yolo counties. Preference will be given to those who are living in and/or are from communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harm;
• Not be enrolled as a student or affiliated as faculty or researcher at a higher education institution greater than 50% time through summer 2027;
• Not hold public office or run for election in 2026 or 2027;
• Be able to attend attend monthly meetings and visits to Davis/Sacramento during regular work hours.

Benefits & Expectations 

By participating in the program, EJ Leaders will…

• Receive a $10,000 stipend to cover time, expertise sharing, and travel expenses (may not apply to government and state employees);
• Participate in robust discussions and events on mobility justice, transportation issues, disability justice, knowledge justice, AI, and environmental justice;
• Form working relationships with researchers and students committed to environmental justice; 
• Travel to UC Davis campus (in Davis or Sacramento) approximately once a month. These will mostly be during working hours, but may include some weekends and evenings. 
• Network with California government officials, policymakers, and EJ practitioners;
• Receive an affiliate account to access UC Davis resources including the library

To apply:

1. Fill out an application here. Be prepared to answer the following questions in a paragraph each:

• What agency, organization, or community group do you conduct EJ work with? Please describe your role and % time in that role.
• Please briefly share your lived or work experience with communities burdened by environmental injustices. 
• Why do you want to participate in the UC Davis EJ Leaders program?
• What do you see as the research needs related to the EJ work you do?
• Which of the following do you want to explore in the program? (Mobility justice, Transportation, Disability justice, Knowledge justice, AI/LLMs/Data centers, Other)
  • Please describe the relevance of the areas checked above to the EJ work you do.
• How will your participation in the program benefit your professional development and the mission of your organization?
• Are there any specific UC Davis researchers, programs, departments, initiatives, or events in which you are particularly interested? 
• Is there anything else you’d like us to know? 

II. Please email your resume (with your last name as the filename) to [email protected] with subject line: 2026 EJLP Application. If you wish, you can provide two references or send a letter of endorsement from your employer, a colleague, or collaborator.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

If you have any issues or questions regarding the application process, please contact [email protected]. 

Application Deadline: Monday, July 20, 2026 11:59pm.

Criteria for selection:

• Depth of experience in environmental justice
• Degree of engagement with 2026-27 areas of interest
• Alignment with capacities and interests of UCD researchers
• Benefit of potential collaboration to applicant and their organization