Utom Conservation Fund Fellowship

About this program

The Utom Conservation Fund, managed by a consortium including the California Native Plant Society, Center for Biological Diversity, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and the Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, is awarding approximately four graduate fellowships of $12,500 each to support research and projects that protect the Utom River and its watershed. Awards fund master's or PhD projects focused specifically on the Utom River Watershed in the areas of cultural studies, wildlife, water quality, or botany. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university (out-of-state students accepted); tribal applicants, including members of unrecognized tribes, will receive special consideration. Applications are due June 1, 2026, and require a completed form, two academic letters (one endorsing the work and one confirming enrollment), a CV/resume, and may optionally include a ≤1-minute unlisted YouTube video; questions to kristina@7thgenerationadvisors.org.