NWF: Ecoleader Fellowship Grant

NWF: Ecoleader Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The National Wildlife Federation
Amount: US $4,750
Last Updated: March 18, 2026

Summary

The National Wildlife Federation's Ecoleader Fellowship offers graduate students the opportunity to conduct impactful market research that enhances NWF's Education and Engagement programs. Selected fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend while developing vital skills, contributing to critical research goals aimed at understanding EcoLeader market segments, and analyzing best practices for environmental education initiatives. This fellowship not only supports individual career growth but also fosters a network of emerging leaders committed to sustainability.

Overview

About National Wildlife Federation Graduate Student Research Fellowships National Wildlife Federation Graduate Student Fellows help to inform and strengthen NWF Education and Engagement programs through dedicated research projects. Monetary fellowship grants are awarded to graduate students working with NWF staff on research that helps to expand the content and development of a variety of efforts across NWF's Education and Engagement programs. Fellows join a national network of current and alumni fellows, many of whom have gone on to lead new businesses, agencies, and programs for sustainability all across the U.S. To apply for a Fellowship, applicants are asked to review the following Requests for Applications for the three 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. NWF EcoLeader Online Community Research FellowshipThe EcoLeaders Community has recently completed a series of site enhancements designed to improve user experience and platform functionality, informed by feedback from community members and former research fellows. Building on this foundation, the fellowship will focus on the critical examination, refinement, and expansion of the community’s resource content to ensure it reflects current research, emerging trends, and evolving member needs.NWF EcoCareers Green Jobs Research FellowshipThe EcoLeaders Community has recently completed a series of site enhancements designed to improve user experience and platform functionality, informed by feedback from community members and former research fellows. Building on this foundation, the fellowship will focus on the critical examination, refinement, and expansion of the community’s career exploration and preparation content to ensure it reflects current realities, emerging trends, and evolving member needs.Wildlife Education FellowshipThe goal of the Wildlife Education Research Fellowship is to support research and content development focused on threatened and endangered species. This work will build upon the existing database created by previous Fellows, analyzing and synthesizing prior and ongoing projects to identify gaps, themes, and opportunities for future content creation. The Fellow will extract actionable ideas and recommendations that can inform educational materials and strengthen the impact of current wildlife education efforts. Requirements 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 and assisting the team with additional duties as assigned. At the end of their term, Fellows will develop and submit a report of their findings and recommendations to the NWF team.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Graduate students from any college or university within the U.S. are eligible to apply. Applications are invited from students in all disciplines and are not limited to environmental studies majors. 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. The applicant must be enrolled in school through the duration of the 4-month grant period.All applicants must identify and work with an Advisor for the duration of the grant period. An advisor is a member of your college or university's staff, faculty, or administration who is willing to serve in an advisory capacity for the duration of the grant period. The advisor should be from the department that is most closely related to your fellowship and can validate that the project is one that is supported by the department and/or institution.

Ineligibility

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.