Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2026

About this program

The Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation offers graduate research fellowships for exceptionally qualified students pursuing wildlife conservation and management degrees. Funding supports research in areas including ecology, animal behavior, conservation social sciences, genetics, ornithology, and wildlife sciences, with preference for projects informing conservation and management decisions; housing, office space, and laboratory facilities may be available for research conducted near the Foundation. Applicants must submit a scientifically sound proposal demonstrating contributions to basic biology, wildlife and habitat conservation, or agency and landowner management, with applications due September 1.