The Summer Institute on Sustainability and Energy (SISE) is a two-week "boot camp" for future decision makers eager to join the sustainability and energy revolution happening around the globe. Held annually since 2011, the program is held at the at the University of Illinois at Chicago. During weekdays, SISE'ers participate in high-level talks, visit energy and sustainability sites, and network. During evenings and weekends, they work collaboratively on a research project and enjoy exploring Chicago.
Participants are chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants from across the country. Senior-level undergraduates (as of the fall of 2018), graduate students, and professionals working in the fields of sustainability and energy who are living, working, or studying in the United States are eligible to apply. Diversity is one of the strongest features of the program, with participants representing a broad range of backgrounds and expertise.
There is no cost to attend the program, and lodging is provided. Scholarships to help cover student transportation costs are also available. Applications are due on June 15, 2018. For full details and information on the application process, see the SISE application Q&A page.
The 2018 SISE theme, (re)new, centers around how we can revitalize our neighborhoods, communities, and ourselves. Partnering with a local community, we will engage best practices surrounding retrofitting homes and businesses, repurposing buildings and lots, sustaining meaningful and historical sites, incorporating renewable energy and battery technologies into neighborhoods, and rebranding the image of the community within and without itself.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the SISE Program Coordinator, Thomas Aláan (uic.sise.admissions@gmail.com), and visit the SISE website at uicsise.com.