The Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship program is a student research program of the Hudson River Foundation (HRF) conducted in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Named in honor of Dr. Tibor T. Polgar, a major participant in the early planning and development of the Foundation, this program provides a summer grant and research funds for undergraduate students to conduct research on the Hudson River, under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

The objective of the program is to enhance opportunities for students to conduct scientific and public policy research with a specific focus on projects studying the Hudson River, its watershed, and the people who live there. 

The 2023 program:

• Focuses specifically on undergraduate students, in particular prioritizing rising juniors and seniors, with exceptions made for students who show special promise after their freshman year;
• Encourages BIPOC students as well as first generation science (including natural and social sciences and public policy) undergraduates to apply; no prior research experience is required;
• Welcomes projects that facilitate interactions with research mentors who come from communities that are historically underrepresented in the environmental sciences.

Projects must be relevant to the Hudson River and Watershed but may approach those subjects from a variety of disciplines. Appropriate topics include: studies of the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the River; or examinations of the social, economic, public policy, and environmental justice issues related to the River and Watershed. 

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)