Graduate Student Research Fellows

The National Wildlife Federation is currently accepting applications for our 2025 Graduate Student Research Fellowships. Fellows will work directly with NWF staff on specific research efforts in four different focus areas.

To apply for a Fellowship, applicants are asked to review the following Requests for Applications for the four research offerings and choose one to apply for. If you are interested in being considered for more than one of the Fellowships, you are able to indicate so in your application.

To strengthen our ability to serve constituents and foster deeper community engagement, the EcoLeader Research Fellow will support the development of innovative engagement strategies and user experience enhancements for the NWF EcoLeaders Online Community. The specific goals and outcomes of the Fellowship will be tailored to the interests and strengths of the Fellow, as outlined in their application.

Review the Request for Applications

Complete the Application Form

To enhance the impact of NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat® program, the Native Plant Education Fellow will conduct a comprehensive literature review on the effects of wildlife gardening and Certified Wildlife Habitat landscapes on wildlife, biodiversity, communities, and climate. In addition, the Fellow will play a key role in designing and distributing a survey to affiliate partners, community members, and municipal leaders to uncover opportunities for local policy changes, ordinances, or incentives that promote native plant habitats and sustainable practices in communities.

Review the Request for Applications

Complete the Application Form

The Project Management Research Fellow will play a crucial role in supporting the growth of the newly established Education and Engagement Department’s Project Management Office (PMO) by conducting in-depth research and analyzing valuable data. This position offers an exciting opportunity for students with project management experience to enhance their skills while contributing to impactful work within an environmental non-profit organization.

Review the Request for Applications

Complete the Application Form

To strengthen the Wildlife Education program at the National Wildlife Federation, the Wildlife Education Fellow will support an initiative to assess the programs and resources of NWF’s state and territory affiliate partners, with a special focus on threatened and endangered species. This research will involve a combination of online investigation and virtual interviews with affiliate partner organizations, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful conservation efforts while gaining valuable insights into wildlife education.

Review the Request for Applications

Complete the Application Form

To Apply:

Review the full Request for Applications document for your research focus area of interest
Complete the online application form
Identify a faculty/staff advisor and have them submit a letter of recommendation to fellows@nwf.org and include your name in the subject of the email.

Eligibility:

Graduate students from any college or university within the U.S. are eligible to apply and if awarded the Fellowship, must submit a W-9 and provide proof of valid work authorization to receive stipend payment.
Applications are invited from students in all disciplines and are not limited to environmental studies majors.
Current and former employees of National Wildlife Federation and former NWF Campus Ecology Fellows are ineligible to apply.
Former NWF interns are eligible to apply following one year from their final work date.
The name on the application must be limited to one individual and the Fellowship reporting, training, or other requirements cannot be transferred to or shared with another student. Additional involvement should be noted in the proposal.
The applicant must be enrolled in school through the duration of the 4-month grant period.

Timeline & Requirements

We are accepting applications for our 2025 Graduate Student Research Fellowships until April 20, 2025. The approximate start date for fellows will be May 15, 2025.

Fellows will be asked to create a 4-6 month work plan to complete their research goal. During the Fellowship term, Fellows will check in regularly with NWF staff and work closely with the other Fellows in the cohort, submitting regular updates on their research. At the end of their term, Fellows will develop and submit a report of their findings and recommendations to the NWF team.

Fellowship Research Archive

2024 Research