The following criteria will be used for assessment of applicants:

1. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The IEC will not consider an application if the applicant does not meet this requirement.
2. Quality of applicant as measured by past academic achievement, GRE scores, and external letters of support.
3. Current academic status of applicant, particularly whether the applicant has been accepted into the Ph.D. program of a department/school with one or more IGERT faculty participants. Applicants who are in their last semester of an M.S. program and who show commitment toward completion of a Ph.D. will also be considered.
4. Commitment of the applicant to completion of a Ph.D. degree with a focus on indoor environmental science or engineering, or the human dimensions that affect indoor environments, particularly as related to targeted inter-disciplinary thematic areas.
5. Commitment of the applicant toward assuming a leadership role in the field upon completion of the Ph.D.
6. Commitment of applicant to working within an interdisciplinary framework as an IGERT student trainee and following completion of the Ph.D. degree.
7. Commitment of faculty advisor(s) to support of applicant. IGERT student trainees will receive support from the IGERT program for two years. It is critical that the student's faculty advisor(s) and mentors make a strong commitment toward continued financial support beyond IGERT funding, as well as support for special equipment and other research needs. A formal letter of commitment from one or more IGERT faculty participants will be considered in the review process. Members of the IEC may also contact IGERT faculty participants to assure their commitment to advising, mentoring, and supporting an IGERT student trainee beyond IGERT support
8. Commitment of potential faculty advisor(s) to overall IGERT program. The IEC will consider past participation of faculty participants in the IGERT program.

The applicant's personal letter and external letter(s) of recommendation are critical toward assessment of commitment (criteria 4-6). Members of the IEC may also contact and interview applicants, their referees, or possible faculty mentors for further evidence of commitment.

Applicants from historically-under-represented groups are highly encouraged to apply.