Education & Training
The Plant Resilience Institute (PRI) offers a vibrant research environment, with faculty members engaged in a wide range of interdisciplinary education and training activities. Affiliated with several colleges, departments, programs, and institutes on campus, PRI provides a diverse and collaborative community for researchers working in its laboratories.
Training Next-Gen Plant Scientists
Michigan State University (MSU) has one of the highest concentrations of plant scientists in the world with over 200 plant science faculty. Through a 5,200-acre campus outfitted with research laboratories, greenhouses, and trial farms, as well as 15 outlying agricultural research centers throughout Michigan, MSU fosters an environment where collaboration and innovation are second nature. Learn more about the plant science opportunities available at MSU here.
PRI is where future leaders of plant research are trained. These leaders will advance, advocate for, and prioritize the importance of plant resiliency in our society and the environment. Trainees in PRI benefit from mentorship programs, outreach and training opportunities, research and funding resources, and integrations with national and global research networks.
Professional Development Events
PRI holds regular seminars and workshops focused on the professional development of trainees, including our PRI Networking Hour series. These events foster engaging discussions on essential topics such as responsible conduct of research, career preparation, writing skills, and more. Visit our events page for more information.
Affiliated Academic Units
Students in PRI come from degree-granting departments, programs, and graduate dual majors across MSU, including:
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Department of Entomology
- Department of Forestry
- Department of Horticulture
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology
- Department of Plant Biology
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
- Genetics and Genome Sciences
- Molecular Plant Sciences
- Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology
Graduate Programs
Degree programs are administered through affiliated academic units, with which the PRI faculty hold joint appointments. The student's admission and program of study are subject to the regulations and approval of the appropriate department, program, and college.
As students cannot apply to PRI directly, prospective graduate students interested in joining PRI labs are encouraged to apply through the BioMolecular Science Gateway, Department of Plant Biology, or Molecular Plant Sciences program, specifying their interest in being considered by PRI and indicating any faculty members whose research aligns with their interests. It is also recommended to reach out to faculty directly to inquire about joining their labs, as not all faculty members accept students every year. Applicants referred by affiliated degree-granting units are also considered. Learn more about plant science education at Michigan State University here.
Fellowships
Graduate students in PRI are fully funded, but several do also apply for outside support. Award of a fellowship in recognition of outstanding performance can be an attractive addition to a resume, and in some cases the stipend may be slightly larger. Fellowship opportunities may be found at the Graduate School Funding website.
