Conservation Biology student Ashraft Yusni, works on his independent research. (Photo by Bryce Richter / UW-Madison)

Conservation Biology student Ashraft Yusni works on his independent research project. Photo by Bryce Richter / UW-Madison

Scholarships and Awards at UW-Madison

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Becker Scholarship -Conservation Biology

Established by Barbara B. Glass in 1988 in memory of her parents, the Roland H. & Maude M. Becker scholarship provides financial assistance to students with a major in Conservation Biology. The scholarship is a one-time award to help support a conservation experience in summer or fall semester related to the major. A conservation experience may include an undergraduate research experience, internship experience, study abroad program, etc. Awards will be in the amount of $500.

Fall 2023 Deadline TBD

Eligibility:

  • Must be a declared a Conservation Biology student
  • Must be a continuing student (i.e. must plan to graduate after May of the application year)
  • No specific GPA required, though students must be in good academic standing (i.e. not on academic probation); Students with higher GPAs are likely to be more competitive

Selection Criteria:  Proposal must have a conservation focus and show meaningful connection to and impact on undergraduate experience connected to Conservation Biology

Application Process: Students will be required to submit the following materials. All materials should be electronically to  conservationbiology@ls.wisc.edu:

  • Two page proposal outlining conservation experience (ex. research project, internship, study abroad program, etc.)
    • Proposal must include:
      • Detailed description of experience and how it connects to the Conservation Biology major and conservation,
      • Description of how award will be used including an itemized budget
  • Resume or CV summarizing academic accomplishments and related experience that prepare student for conservation experience
  • Unofficial Transcript or UW-Madison Student Record
  • Short Statement of Support from Conservation Biology faculty advisor, research mentor, or other conservation/ecology related faculty member who can discuss the applicant’s potential and capabilities; sent as an email directly from advisor to Conservation Biology office (conservationbiology@ls.wisc.edu).

Acceptance Process:  Stipulations of accepting the award include:

1. Sending a Thank You letter to Ms. Barbara Glass outlining proposed experience and gratitude,
2. Providing a brief report of conservation experience upon completion, and
3. Completing a Student Profile to be used on the Conservation Biology major website (includes photo from experience, summary of experience, and how it relates to major)

Questions? Email conservationbiology@ls.wisc.edu

Demeter Summer Research Support

Support provided to a Botany or Conservation Biology undergraduate student working on a summer research project in the areas of Plant Ecology and Conservation Biology.  Contact the Conservation Biology Academic Advising Manager for more info

Hilldale Research Fellowships

Hilldale Research Fellowships support undergraduate research done in collaboration with a faculty mentor. Students receive $3,000, while mentors receive $1,000.

Holstrom Environmental Scholarships

The Holstrom Environmental Scholarships support undergraduate research done in collaboration with UW–Madison faculty or research/instructional academic staff.  Research proposals must have an environmental focus, and applicants must have at least a junior standing at time of application. Apply spring semester to fund work on the project during the summer or following academic year.

John T. Curtis Ecology Scholarship

John T. Curtis was a renowned ecologist and Professor of Botany at UW-Madison. Curtis’s two sons established the scholarship in 2014 to honor him. The scholarship provides $1,000 in tuition assistance for the upcoming fall semester.

Luce Scholars Program

The Luce Scholars Program provides a year-long internship in an Asian country related to the scholar’s interests. The program is designed to provide an extended period of exposure to an Asian country for highly qualified young Americans who lack extensive knowledge of Asian affairs and who would not gain this knowledge through their normal career trajectories. Any professional field will be considered, except Asian Affairs/Asian Studies. Graduating seniors, recent alumni, graduate students, and junior faculty are encouraged to apply.

Marshall Scholarship for Graduate Study in the UK

Established in 1953, the Marshall Scholarship Program gives high achieving young Americans the opportunity for graduate study at any university in the United Kingdom. The Program was created to honor the ideals of the Marshall Plan, and foster appreciation of the U.K. among future American leaders. Up to 50 scholarships are awarded each year.

*Candidates must be nominated by UW–Madison and may not apply directly. Students interested in applying should contact the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office for more information about the application process. Contact: 608-265-2428, awards@provost.wisc.edu

Scholarships at UW Madison

A scholarship database for a variety of UW-Madison scholarships.

Skoog Undergraduate Scholarship

Scholarship awarded to a Botany or Conservation Biology undergraduate student for the best paper in plant physiology .  Contact the Conservation Biology Academic Advising Manager for more info

Summer Internship Scholarship

It can be tough to manage the many expenses that come along with a summer internship. The SuccessWorks Summer Internship Scholarship has a variety of donors willing to help.

Awards of up to $5000 are made possible through the generous donations from the Weil family, Henderson-Reznick family, the Shinners family, and the Picus family.

Preference is given to undergraduate students completing unpaid internships, or those who would not be able to participate in the internship without financial support. Students who are underrepresented in their school, major, and/or industry are prioritized.

The Undergraduate Academic Awards Office

The Undergraduate Academic Awards Office helps UW-Madison undergraduates and recent graduates pursue nationally competitive scholarships and campus-wide awards for research, service and leadership—activities at the heart of the Wisconsin Experience.

Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship has three categories,  one is environmental.

It is a scholarship for students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, economics, and other related fields.

UW-Madison Libraries Undergraduate Research Award

The UW-Madison Libraries are offering an Undergraduate Research Award to support and celebrate excellence in undergraduate, library-based research! Undergraduate students who intend to make creative and intensive use of library resources as part of a semester or year-long research project (capstone, independent study, thesis, performance, exhibit, etc.) are encouraged to apply. The selected student will receive $2,000 upon completion of the requirements of the award, which include structured library support and a final presentation to library staff.

UW–Madison Undergraduate Scholarship for Summer Study

Summer Term is fortunate to be able to provide undergraduate scholarships for summer study. These are need-based awards given to high-achieving undergraduate students seeking financial support to attend Summer Term at UW–Madison. Scholarship availability and amounts are subject to vary.

Wisconsin Idea

Wisconsin Idea Fellowships are awarded annually for long-term projects that seek to solve crucial community issues either locally or internationally. Students work collaboratively with a community organization and a faculty mentor, and can receive up to $7,000 in funding as well as academic credit for their project.

The Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment is a competitive grant program that fosters public engagement and the advancement of the Wisconsin Idea, the notion that the knowledge and solutions generated at UW-Madison will benefit the people of Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.

Wisconsin without Borders Scholarships

Wisconsin Without Borders (WWB) is a UW-Madison alliance and award program that recognizes globally engaged interdisciplinary scholarship and fosters excellence by networking through joint learning activities. We draw on the history and values of the Wisconsin Idea and the many remarkable partnerships that UW-Madison faculty members and students have initiated, both in Wisconsin and around the world.

Peter Bosscher Award

Wisconsin Without Borders honors the work of Dr. Peter Bosscher, whose work and ethic of social responsibility is at the core of WWB. He was passionate about providing service-learning opportunities to undergraduates and having students reflect on the global impact of their work. It is in this context that WWB will award two undergraduate awards of $500 each to students (individual/group) who can demonstrate through their project submission:

  • A commitment to service
  • Reflection
  • Strong community partnership

4W Award

This award recognizes undergraduate student initiatives improving quality life issues for women and making the world better for all, promoting excellence in areas related to gender and wellbeing, both locally and globally. Submissions must reflect evidence of 4W core principles include a focus on:

  • Basic needs and human rights
  • Equality for all
  • Leadership and voice
  • Ecological Justice

Other Scholarships and Awards

In searching for outside scholarships, be as specific as possible  Check with foundations, organizations including religious, community, and professional associations, and family employers. Review advice from Federal Student Aid on your search. You may also visit the websites listed below.

A word of caution: You should never pay money to investigate scholarships. Scholarship providers don’t offer their awards to students who pay to find them; they offer them to all students.  Do your own investigation on the legitimacy of each scholarship.

Notify the Office of Student Finanical Aid when awarded any outside scholarships

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Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship

Until higher education is accessible, equitable, and free, we will be here to support Black & Latinx Birders in STEM.

Are you a Black birder or Brown birder that lives in the United States or Puerto Rico and identifies as Black, African-American, and/or Latinx/e/a/o? Are you also an undergraduate student studying in STEM? Apply for the annual Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship, today!

Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program

More than ever, organizations and government agencies that work to conserve land, water and wildlife need to attract and employ individuals from racial and ethnic groups that are largely absent in today’s conservation workforce. Launched by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in 2013, DDCSP responds to this need by increasing the number of undergraduate students from underrepresented groups who choose to pursue coursework and careers in conservation.

In this highly selective multi-year undergraduate research program, students will:

  • Experience extraordinary places such as the Grand Canyon, the Cascade Mountains, the California coast, the Everglades and the Great Lakes
  • Conduct research with and be mentored by leading academics in the conservation field
  • Build valuable research and leadership skills
  • Gain in-depth knowledge of land, water and wildlife conservation issues and challenges
  • Be exposed to exciting career options in the conservation field
  • Meet leading conservation thinkers and professionals of color
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the value of diversity
  • Form lifelong bonds with peers from across the country
  • Become a part of a growing lifetime network of Scholars

We hope you will learn more and consider applying to be a Doris Duke Conservation Scholar.

Forestry, Fisheries & Wildlife Scholarships

A list of scholarships from scholarships.com related to forestry, fisheries, and wildlife.

Garden Club Scholarships

The Garden Club of America has funded more than 1,300 recipients. The GCA offers 28 merit-based scholarships in 12 areas: Botany, Coastal Wetlands Studies, Conservation & Ecological Restoration, Desert Studies, Garden History & Design, Horticulture & Related Fields, International Work & Study, Landscape Architecture, Native Bird Habitat, Pollinator Research, Summer Environmental Study and Urban Forestry

Kettle Moraine Garden Club offers a scholarship opportunity for current undergraduate students pursuing a degree in horticulture, landscape design, nature photography botany, natural sciences/resources, forestry, wetlands, ecology, conservation or environmental science/studies.

The mission of the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation (WGCF) includes providing education and opportunities for its members through gardening, floral design, community and the environment. The WGCF extends these opportunities to college students through its scholarship program. Scholarships encourage the study of horticulture, floriculture, landscape design and architecture, botany, forestry, agronomy, plant pathology, environmental studies, city planning, land management or related studies.

Green Scholarships

Green Scholarship awards are offered across the diverse range of green interests, with scholarship money available to students ranging from sustainable agriculture majors to average students who have ideas for making their communities more eco-friendly.

John Thompson Award

To honor the memory of Dr. Thomson, the John Thomson Research Award was established to encourage student research on Wisconsin’s non-cultivated plants. The annual award is presented to a deserving undergraduate and graduate student from a Wisconsin college or university each year.  Selections for the John Thomson Research Award is by the Botanical Club of Wisconsin Board. Award funds are administered by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

Marine Scholarships

The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to $9,500 per year) for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid ($700/week) internship at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facility during the summer.

Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin Grants

Through the National Resources Foundation of Wisconsin grant programs, they’ve invested nearly $7 million in public and private conservation efforts—from funding statewide wildlife monitoring programs to creating butterfly gardens at local schools, and from building trails at state parks to helping recover the federally endangered whooping crane.