OTS Research Fellowship Program Grant

OTS Research Fellowship Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Organization for Tropical Studies
Last Updated: March 16, 2026

Summary

The OTS Research Fellowship Program offers graduate research fellowships for studies primarily conducted at its Costa Rica field stations. Open to graduate students from OTS member institutions, the program facilitates thesis-related research in tropical biology. This initiative honors the contributions of notable figures in the field and aims to support the next generation of researchers. Applications are accepted year-round, with a two-month advance submission requirement before project commencement.

Overview

NOTE: We are receiving applications all year-long. We asked your proposal to be submitted at least 3-4 months before your visit, this way we can review it, give feedback and also communicate our decision. We are Now accepting fellowships proposals for projects starting after July 1st 2026. General Information OTS offers graduate research fellowships to work primarily in its Costa Rica field stations. Donald & Beverly Stone Fellowships: The Donald and Beverly Stone Fellowship were created to honor Donald and Beverly Stone for their more than 20 years of service with the Organization for Tropical Studies. Don served as the Executive Director and Bev as the Administrative Assistant from 1976 to 1996 and during that time built OTS from a small organization to a large consortium of over 50 universities. The Donald and Beverly Stone Graduate Fellowship was established by OTS alumni and friends to recognize Don and Bev for the tremendous advances that they helped promote in the fields of tropical biology. Francis J. Bossuyt Fellowship: View the information for this opportunity here. William L. Brown Fellowship: The William Brown Fellowship was created by the family and friends of William Brown, a distinguished entomologist at Cornell University, who conducted research at the La Selva Research Station. David and Deborah Clark Fellowship: A fellowship established by the JiJi Foundation in recognition of the pioneering work undertaken by Drs. Deborah and David Clark at the OTS La Selva Research Station. Rexford Daubenmire Fellowship: The Daubenmire fellowship was created in memory of Rexford Daubenmire (1909-1995) by his wife Jean Daubenmire. Dr. Daubenmire was a widely recognized expert in plant ecology and professor of botany at the University of Idaho and Washington State University. Dole Food Fellowship: The fellowship is funded by Dole Food Company in Costa Rica. Dole Food produces more than 150 products, including bananas and pineapples, marketed worldwide. Dole is a long-time supporter of OTS. Emily P. Foster Fellowship: The Emily Foster fellowship was created by the family and friends of Emily Foster (1967-1994) as a memorial to her life. Emily treasured the beauty and wonder of the Costa Rican biodiversity and the generosity of the Costa Rican people. Emily worked in Costa Rica for a number of years before her untimely death. Glaxo Centro America Fellowships: This fellowship was established by Glaxo Centro América. Now part of GlaxoSmithKline, an international pharmaceutical company with offices throughout Latin America, Glaxo Centro America recognized the importance of providing research support for Latin American graduate students. Hovore-Horn Fellowship: View the information for this opportunity here. Henry Leigh Fellowship: A research fellowship established in loving memory of W. Henry Leigh, to be awarded annually to the most qualified graduate student applicant from throughout the United States. Lillian and Murray Slatkin Fellowship: A research fellowship established by Joan Slatkin Barton in honor of her parents. Ms. Barton was a member of the OTS Board of Visitors from 1994 until 2003. Christian and Betty Thompson Fellowship: A research fellowship established by F. Christian and Betty Thompson of Kingstowne, Virginia. Christiane and Christopher Tyson Fellowship: A research fellowship established by Christiane and Christopher Tyson for U.S. and Latin American graduate students. Christiane and Christopher Tyson have been involved with the OTS Board of Visitors since 2001. (Other designation) Thomas Bishop Memorial Binocular Endowment: Thomas Bishop Memorial Binocular Endowment: These funds are available for purchases of binoculars and similar equipment to assist researchers in their work. Please inquire about these funds.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. OTS fellowships are open to graduate students enrolled in degree programs at OTS member institutions and to OTS graduate course alumni. Awards are intended to assist thesis-related field research in tropical biology and similar fields. Only one research award may be held at a time.Most awards will be restricted to OTS field stations in Costa Rica (La Selva, Palo Verde, and Las Cruces).

Ineligibility

Proposals for research at other sites will not be considered.