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 Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, offers approximately four $12,500 fellowships for graduate research supporting the Utom River Watershed and its cultural and ecological integrity. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an accredited master’s or PhD program, with projects focused specifically on the watershed and addressing cultural resources, wildlife, water quality, or botany; tribal members, including those from unrecognized tribes, receive special consideration. Applications require a completed form, two letters of recommendation or reference, and a résumé or CV; the deadline is September 1, 2026.