RONALD F. LABISKY GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN WILDLIFE POLICY

The Ronald F. Labisky Graduate Fellowship in Wildlife Policy was created in 2021 through the generosity of Ronald F. Labisky. This graduate-level fellowship encourages early career wildlife scholars to understand, formulate and recommend wildlife policy on critical conservation issues and further encourages these wildlife scholars to pursue careers advancing wildlife policy issues.

“Policy” is defined as a “definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions.”

This Fellowship is intended to supplement other financial support that may be obtained by the selected recipient. Selected fellows will receive $10,000 or that amount deemed appropriate by the Selection Committee based on economic conditions and the earnings of the Fellowship Fund.

The award is presented annually to a full-time student enrolled in an accredited university graduate-level degree program in wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, wildlife management, or wildlife conservation in the United States, Canada, or Mexico who has demonstrated a passion, ability, and commitment to advancing wildlife policy.

The first fellowship was announced during The Wildlife Society’s Annual Conference in 2022.

AWARD CRITERIA

Full-time students enrolled in a graduate-level degree program of an accredited university in the United States, Mexico, or Canada who are pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral-level degree in wildlife biology/ecology/management/conservation are eligible to apply. Graduate projects/research can be conducted outside of the United States, Mexico, or Canada.

Applicants should be members of TWS as of the date of submitting the application, and the selected candidate should maintain active membership throughout the life of the Fellowship stipend.

The award is intended to support students interested in pursuing careers advancing wildlife policy issues. A special TWS committee will select the award recipient and reserves the right to forego an award selection if no suitable candidates apply.

Ideal candidates should convey strong writing and communication skills, express a strong interest in the development and advancement of wildlife policy, and provide evidence of commitment to the process of developing and implementing policy with the overarching goal of safeguarding our wildlife resources.

Previous recipients can apply for a second year of funding, subject to continued qualification and selection by the committee. No more than two years of funding may be requested.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

The application for first year of funding should include:

• Resume of academic and professional experiences
• Nomination narrative -two-page cover letter describing interest in and commitment to the goals of the fellowship fund, including interest in wildlife policy
• Resume of academic and professional experiences
• Signed letter from academic institution verifying current enrollment in a Master’s or Doctorate-level degree program in the field of wildlife biology, ecology, management, or conservation
• Letter of recommendation from academic advisor
• Two letters of recommendation from professional sources in the field of wildlife conservation

The application for a second year of funding should include:

• Nomination narrative – A two – five pages progress report clearly stating you are asking for second year of funding and that also documents how the Fellowship has supported the applicant’s work during the first year of funding
• Resume of academic and professional experiences
• Two-page letter describing interest in and commitment to the goals of the fellowship fund, including interest in wildlife policy
• Signed letter from academic institution verifying current enrollment in a Master’s or Doctorate-level degree program in the field of wildlife biology, ecology, management, or conservation
• Letter of recommendation from academic advisor
• Two letters of recommendation from professional sources in the field of wildlife conservation

Nomination materials must be uploaded via the online nominations system by May 1 at 11:59 PM ET.

For questions related to TWS Awards please email, awards@wildlife.org.

RONALD F. LABISKY GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN WILDLIFE POLICY RECIPIENTS