The Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation’s graduate research fellowship program was founded in 1956 and is designed to support exceptionally qualified students pursuing graduate degrees in varied research areas of wildlife conservation and management with emphasis on research that will inform decision-making and on-the-ground implementation. The fellowship program also aims to train and develop effective conservation leaders for tomorrow. To date, the fellowship program has supported over 350 graduate Fellows from over 65 academic institutions, producing nearly 1,600 publications.

The Foundation will consider research proposals in the areas of animal behavior, biology, botany, conservation education, conservation social sciences, ecology, ecosystem services, genetics, mammalogy, ornithology, parasitology, range science, veterinary pathology, wetland ecology, and wildlife sciences.

Applications are reviewed and ranked by a committee and will be judged based on various criteria. However, applications typically scoring highest have research projects that are scientifically sound and clearly highlight potential contributions to a) basic biology (e.g. developing/testing ecological theory or addressing fundamental uncertainties in wildlife/ecosystem ecology), b) wildlife and habitat conservation, and c) conservation agency/landowner management decisions.

Research Fellows working on or near the Foundation are provided dormitory apartment living housing, office space, and laboratory facilities as are available.

For more information please download our Fellowship Policies and Applications forms.

Fellowship Policies and Application Procedures