Conservation Fellowship

Purpose: Support research in conservation and environmental studies that directly impacts the Commonwealth of Virginia. Topics may include flora, fauna, or community practices.

Geographic Scope: Commonwealth of Virginia

Award Details:

• Graduate-level: One-year grant of up to $8,000 for study and research
• Undergraduate: One-year grant of up to $4,000 for qualified undergraduate students

Eligibility:

• Must be enrolled in an accredited university or college in Virginia
• Graduate-level students or undergraduate students
• Must be conducting research with direct impact on Virginia's environment

Selection Process: Final fellowship awards are selected by the Garden Club of Virginia in consultation with a university faculty member in a related field.

Key Requirements:

• Written proposal including scope, methods, expected results, and environmental impact
• Itemized budget proposal (indirect costs not covered)
• Letter of endorsement from major or graduate advisor (must be sent from school email)
• Final written project report and accounting of expenditures within one year of completion
• Acknowledgment of Garden Club of Virginia support in any publications
• Periodic brief updates to the Conservation & Environmental Studies Committee
• In-person presentation at a Garden Club of Virginia event (typically Annual Meeting in May)
• Photos of recipient and work
• Funds not used for expressed purpose must be returned

Application Process

1. Applicant Information
   • Check graduate-level or undergraduate status
   • Provide full name, address, cell phone, email
   • Include permanent mailing address if different
2. Advisor Information
   • Provide advisor name, title, department, university, email, and phone
3. Project Proposal
   • Write project title
   • Describe project including scope, methods, expected results, and environmental impact on Virginia
   • Include supporting data if applicable
   • Limit to 2,500 words (approximately 15,000 characters)
4. Budget Proposal
   • Create itemized budget stating how award will be spent
   • Specify percentage of expected project budget being requested from GCV
   • Note: indirect costs not covered
5. Supporting Materials
   • Upload up to 5 images (JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PDF; max 10 MB each)
   • Provide GPA
6. Letter of Endorsement
   • Advisor must email letter to communications@gcvirginia.org by deadline
   • Must be sent from advisor's school email address
   • Must include statement that applicant is duly enrolled during project period
7. Additional Information
   • Indicate how you learned about the fellowship
   • Complete CAPTCHA verification