Wildlife Conservation Network Indigenous Scholarship

The WCN Indigenous Scholarship Program funds graduate education and applied training for candidates from Indigenous tribes dedicated to pursuing a career in wildlife conservation. This specific opportunity is currently only open to individuals who self-identify as a member of a US-based Indigenous tribe and who are pursuing a program at a US-based institution. Our vision is that graduates of the scholarship program will become leaders in wildlife conservation, with the knowledge and skills needed to steward their ancestral lands and to protect the wildlife who also call those lands home. The number of awards will vary. This opportunity is an extension of our existing scholarship program, which has awarded scholarships since 2007 to candidates who are nationals of countries in Africa, Asia, and Central/South America. The scholarship provides: Tuition and living expenses for the duration of the program, over and above funding from other sources and up to $25,000 (Total, not annual). Scholarship disbursements are sent quarterly throughout the length of the scholar’s program, not as a lump sum. All candidates will need a nominator who can speak to their experience and potential in the field of wildlife conservation. The application form has sections to be filled out by both the nominator and the candidate. The nominator should play a mentorship role (formal or informal) for the candidate throughout their program. Examples of eligible nominators include an academic advisor, member of the candidate’s graduate committee, or a tribal leader who knows the candidate well. Candidates must be committed to a lifelong career in wildlife conservation in their home region. Candidates must be college graduates - at this time, a bachelor’s degree is required for eligibility for this scholarship. Candidates must be enrolled or planning to enroll (within the next year) in a masters-level, doctorate, or applied training program.