Learn with us
We’re building the future workforce the world needs through our innovative programs and certificates.
We offer educational opportunities for every stage of learner — whether you’re just starting out, or decades into your career. Our natural infrastructure certificate is meant for graduate students who would like to certify their expertise in natural infrastructure, while our shortcourses are held several times a year on focused natural infrastructure topics, and attract workers from around the country at all stages of their careers.
Our fully funded graduate programs offer another level of involvement with IRIS: they provide the opportunity to join our team in Athens, Georgia and contribute to meaningful research–while getting paid to do so.
Natural Infrastructure Fellowship
(and other graduate opportunities)
Want to engineer a better future for people and nature, and get paid to do it?
Join us in the Classic City of Athens, Georgia, home to an amazing music scene, an abundance of delicious restaurants, fun bar life, and classic southern living, for a fully funded Master’s or PhD program in all things nature-positive infrastructure.
Thanks to our partners at Ducks Unlimited, we are now offering the Natural Infrastructure Fellowship, a paid Master’s program that funds students to conduct practice-oriented research on natural infrastructure methods and engineering guidance. This includes contributing to the field through tool development, cost and economic analysis, monitoring and adaptive management, and uncovering social dimensions of climate resilient infrastructure.
We also offer other funded Ph.D. and Master’s positions depending on research needs and availability. Reach out to our team or check the job board to learn about potential positions.
SHort courses
We believe we can have the most impact by offering educational opportunities in natural infrastructure for people at all stages of their career–whether they’re just starting out, or a seasoned worker.
You can find the locations, times and topics for upcoming shortcourses below, as well as browse past IRIS shortcourses.
Western Dredging Association (WEDA): NbS Engineering & Construction (June 2024)
Nature-based Solutions: Planning, Design and Construction (April 2025)
NAtural Infrastructure Certificate
Become a certified natural infrastructure expert.
In fall 2024, the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS) and the UGA College of Engineering School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering (ECAM) launched the Graduate Certificate in Natural Infrastructure. The certificate equips graduate students with the skills and expertise necessary to address complex infrastructure challenges using nature-based solutions and Engineering With Nature® principles. The curriculum emphasizes integration of natural and conventional infrastructure, alignment of engineering and natural processes, interdisciplinary collaboration and problem solving, and systems thinking.
IRIS students gain experience in the nature-infrastructure nexus through a diverse combination of field, classroom and professional experiences.
