Scholarships, Grants, and Research Funding and Awards

*indicates funding specifically for women

This is sort of a 'brain dump' of funding for ecology and conservation research, fieldwork, scholarships, fellowships, etc.  Many are for projects in western North America and sub-Saharan Africa (reflecting my work), as well as for women and early-career folks (reflecting, uh, me!). Also check out this list of early-career funding. 

If you find these resources useful, or if you get funding from it, please consider a charitable donation to Y2Y (since I maintain it during lunch!). 

Scholarships and project funding (some non-fieldwork too)

International (including US)

• *Advance Africa's list of scholarships for African women
• Alongside Wildlife Foundation small-grants program helps fund important projects that are typically overlooked (e.g., natural history, science communication)
• American Society of Mammalogists' African Graduate Student Research Fund to support African graduate students
• Association of Commonwealth Universities scholarships/visiting fellowships for ACU member institutions around the world
• British Ecological Society Outreach Grant funds members to promote ecological science to a wide audience (<£2,000)
• Biology Postdoc Resources collates info on postdoctoral fellowships and grants available worldwide
• Botany in Action Fellowship for US-based PhD students doing plant-based field research
• Charles Boyden Fund for Small Grants (£500, estuarine and coastal research) to travel for a conference, workshop, training, fieldwork, or to buy goods. Preference for students. 
• Christine Stevens Wildlife Award ($15,000) for non-invasive research on wildlife and to reduce human-wildlife conflict
• Coalition Wild has a big list of conservation-related international fellowships and grants
• Committee for Environmental Cooperation North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA)
• Conservation Leadership Programme has three levels of awards for early-career conservationists
• Con X Tech Prize is a global competition to fund project teams with a bold conservation idea to prepare their first prototype.
• Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund grants 'help implement an investment strategy' in biodiversity hotspots
• EDGE of Existence Fellowship (ZSL) for in-country conservationists to work on wildlife management and research
• Ford Foundation Fellowships (pre-doctoral and dissertation) for US citizens to increase ethnic and racial diversity
• Future for Nature Award recognizes early-career individuals (<35 years old) for their leadership and creativity to achieve tangible conservation success for one or more wild animal/plant species/population
• Garden Club of America has scholarships for botany-related research (don't have to be a US citizen) 
• Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship (~$10,000) for North American graduate students with academic/long-term career goals to help improve wilderness conservation in the US
• Idea Wild gives small equipment grants to conservation professionals, especially in critical biodiversity hotspots
• Instrumentl is a new crowd-funding platform for women in science to raise research funds
• Herpetologists' League - Raymond D. Semlitsch Research Award for early-career PhD holders to support research on the ecology, evolution, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles (usually faculty member but does not have to be)
• Joke Waller-Hunter (JWH) Initiative funds young leaders of environmental and community organizations from developing countries & emerging economies (includes Canadian First Nations)
• Joseph L. Fisher Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship for final-year PhD students studying environment, natural resources, or energy
• JRS Biodiversity Foundation funds bioinformatics work on biodiversity conservation and development in sub-Saharan Africa
• Keep Calm, Get Money (Or, a Starter List for Grant Hustling) by Asia Murphy
• The Maya Research Program has a huge list of external fellowships and grants for conservation, archaeology, anthropology & more
• Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund supports individual species conservation and recognizes conservation leaders
• National Geographic Young Explorers Grant funds fieldwork for <25 year olds (2-5K in complementary support; not salaries)
• National Geographic Committee for Research and Exploration funds fieldwork for hypothesis-driven scientific research
• National Geographic Conservation Trust funds fieldwork for innovative and applied approaches to conservation
• National Geographic Expeditions Council funds "exploration and adventure" around the world
• National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) has a number of workshops and fellowships in the US 
• Nationally Coveted College Scholarships, Graduate Fellowships, and Postdoctoral Awards by Francisco Tomei
• National Science to Action Fellowship for graduate students in US Northwest to study climate change impacts on fish, wildlife, or ecosystems to decision making 
• OECD Co-operative Research Programme Fellowship for research scientists (≥ 4 years postdoc training) working in agriculture, forestry or fisheries to conduct research projects in another OECD country. Also see funding to host conference or workshop. 
• *Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World has PhD funding for women in the natural sciences
• People's Trust for Endangered Species supports research and conservation on endangered species around the world.
• Playa Summer Lake is a funded retreat in Oregon for creative people or groups working on literature, the arts, and/or natural sciences
• Prince Bernhard Nature Fund for work on critically endangered flora and fauna in Africa, Asia and Latin America
• Rachel Carson Centre (in Germany) international fellowships for postdocs working on transformations in environment and society.
• Rachel Strom's big list of scholarship updates for African students and researchers
• Rafe Sagarin Fund for Innovative Ecology is a grant for grad students and postdocs doing observational ecology/natural history
• Resources For the Future fellowships, internships, and grants re: the environment, energy, and natural resources around the world
• * Robbie Melton Women In Bio scholarship (there's a Montreal chapter)
• Rufford Foundation Small Grants Program funds nature conservation projects in the developing world
• Russell E. Train Fellowships (WWF) funds Master’s and PhD studies for conservationists from developing countries
• * Science Magazine's list of grants for women in science
• Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology grants for student research and fieldwork 
• Terra Viva Grants Directory for grants about agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources in less developed countries
• The Nature Conservancy's internal Coda Global Fellows Program is for TNC staff to use their expertise around the world
• * Toptal Scholarships for Women empower future female leaders to change the world ($10,000 + 1 year mentorship, >16 years old)
• Walt Disney Conservation Fund supports research on wildlife, habitats, and community conservation and education
• WCS Graduate Scholarship Program funds international Masters or PhD programs for exceptional conservationists from Asia/Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and North American indigenous groups
• Wenner-Gren Foundation funds anthropology PhDs, postdocs, and international conferences or workshops
• Whitley Award supports outstanding nature conservationists around the developing world
• Wild Felid Association Legacy Scholarship for graduate students
• Wilburforce Fellowship in Conservation Science for conservation scientists working in western North America
• Wildlife Conservation Network funds field-based wildlife conservation organization
• Women [Scuba] Divers Hall of Fame Scholarships & Training Grants​
• Wyss Scholars (Master's and Law students) working on conservation in the western United States
• Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y)
  • Sarah Baker Memorial Fund Award for graduate students and postdocs working in the Y2Y region
  • Y2Y Partner Grants support small, grassroots conservation projects in the Y2Y region

Canada-only 

• ​Aboriginal Bursary Search Tool lists nearly 800 bursaries and scholarships for First Nations students in Canada
• Aboriginal Learning Links grants and scholarships for First Nations students in Canada
• Rupertsland Institute provides post-secondary financial aid to Métis students
• Award Opportunities in BC and Canada (curated by the University of British Columbia)
• BC - BC Aboriginal Scholarship Guide (curated by the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society)
• BC - BC Nature Rene Savenye Scholarship for undergraduate studies to improve environmental awareness and understanding 
• BC - Bullitt Environmental Fellowship is for grad students from underrepresented communities who possess a capacity for leadership and who show exceptional scholarship (for work in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest)
• BC - ​Bullitt Foundation funds urban sustainability work in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest
• BC - College of Applied Biology Linda Michaluk Scholarship for grad students working on science-informed decision making
• BC - Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society in British Columbia (includes aboriginal, study-abroad, and transfer students)
• BC - Province of BC Grants database (wide variety of public and private grants for fieldwork, equipment, scholarships, etc.)
• * Canadian Foundation of University Women grants and scholarships
• BC - Coastal Ocean Awards for research, conservation, outreach work on British Columbia ocean and coastal work
• BC - Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia annual Distinguished Academics Awards
• BC - UVic's Internal grants, Dean's Conference Fund (Social Science) to put on a workshop or conference, Wanosts’a7 Scholarship for graduate student working on Indigenous knowledge or Indigenous languages
• Canadian Council on Ecological Area Stan Rowe Home Place Graduate Award for Master's students studying ecosystem or landscape-based approach to selecting, establishing, or managing protected ecological areas in Canada
• CWF's Orville Erickson Memorial Scholarship for undergrad and grad students studying conservation ($500-4000)
• Dalhousie University's funding for graduate students database
• First Nations scholarships, awards, and bursaries (curated by Concordia University)
• Government of Canada International Scholarship Opportunities for Canadians (students, postdocs, faculty)
• International Development Research Centre doctoral awards for Canadians and developing countries
• The JWH Initiative funds training for young leaders of environmental and community organizations from First Nations
• * Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation of Canada
• Loran Scholars is for high-school/CEGEP students, going to university, who show commitment to service and leadership
• MEOPAR Researcher Development Funding supports academic, research and/or career development needs of MEOPeers
• Mitacs graduate student and postdoctoral research partnerships with Canadian industry or non-profit sector
• National Aboriginal Scholarship Guide (curated by the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society)
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council​ (NSERC) graduate student and postdoc funding
  
• PromoScience supports hands-on learning experiences for students/teachers about STEM
• * PEO Scholar Awards are merit-based awards for American and Canadian PhD students (prefer more senior students)
• Québec - Centre d’étude de la forêt - Centre for Forest Research
• Québec - Fonds Québécois de la Recherche sur la Nature et les Technologies
• Québec - Québec Centre for Biodiversity Science
• * Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada
• * Soroptimist Foundation of Canada for careers which will improve the quality of women's lives
• W. Garfield Weston Graduate Fellowship for Northern Conservation (WCS Canada) for graduate research in Canadian boreal forest
• Yukon Conservation Society's Ted Parnell Scholarship ($500) to undergraduate student Yukon resident of environmental studies who demonstrates outstanding interest and motivation in the environmental field

Fellowships (mostly for non-students, though students might be eligible)

Canada only

• ​Bullitt Environmental Fellowship is for grad students from underrepresented communities who possess a capacity for leadership and who show exceptional scholarship (for work in British Columbia)
• Grant Notley Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship at U Alberta for social, economic, history research in western Canada
• Killam postdoctoral fellowships at UBC, U Calgary, U Alberta, Dalhousie
• Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is for Canadian conservation research & practice (non-Canadians can apply)
• Mitacs Canadian Science Policy Fellowships for policy-related research with government decision-makers
• * PEO International Peace Scholarship provides graduate funding for international students to study in the US and Canada

International (i.e., not Canada, although Canadians might be eligible)

• ​​Bullitt Environmental Fellowship is for grad students from underrepresented communities who possess a capacity for leadership and who show exceptional scholarship (for work in US Pacific Northwest)
  
• Commonwealth Rutherford Fellowships for Commonwealth researchers to do 1-2 years postdoc research in the UK
• Earth Leadership Program is for mid-career university faculty to develop skills in communication and leadership (used to be the Leopold Leadership Program)
  
• Ecological Society of America (ESA) Fellows program has categories for established and early-career researchers (elected for life)
  
• German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) supports working groups, postdocs, and sabbaticals to study theory-driven synthesis and data-driven theory in biodiversity sciences
• ​​​Indigenous Leaders Conservation Fellowship​​​ (Conservation International) for indigenous leaders from East Africa, Asia, and the Amazon to explore solutions to the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss using traditional knowledge
• James S. McDonnell Foundation postdoc fellowships toward the discovery and refinement of theoretical and mathematical tools contributing to the continued development of the study of complex, adaptive, nonlinear systems
• Kinship Conservation Fellows emphasizes "market-based solutions" to environmental problems (for practitioners, not researchers)
• Kress Conservation Fellowships are held at museums and other conservation facilities for onsite training and research 
• Leaders for Sea Change Program for marine conservationists and scientists working in Pacific coast of Canada, US, and Mexico 
• Luc Hoffman Institute Postdoctoral Fellows Program for conservation-science leaders (especially working in Africa)
• * Organization for Women in Science For the Developing World has fellowships to help women get a PhD in natural sciences
• * PEO International Peace Scholarship provides graduate funding for international students to study in the US and Canada
• Roger Arliner Young Conservation Diversity Fellowship Program aims to increase and facilitate conservation-related career pathways for emerging leaders of color (for recent college graduates, and to support conservation work in the US)
• Safina Center Fellows are already established, well-recognized authors, filmmakers, photographers, artists, and scientists
• Sarah and Daniel Hrdy Fellowship in Conservation Biology for recent PhDs to spend 1-2 semesters at Harvard University
• Sloan Research Fellowships seek to stimulate fundamental research by outstanding early-career scientists and scholars (tenure track)
• Smith Fellows is for US postdoctoral researchers to link conservation science and application (non-US citizens can apply)
• * UNESCO-L'Oreal International Fellowships (and awards for established female scientists)
• United States Fish and Wildlife Service MENTOR Fellowship Program (Africa)
• WCS Graduate Scholarship Program funds international Masters or PhD programs for exceptional conservationists from Asia/Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and North American indigenous groups
• WWF's Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Fund for postdoctoral fellows
• WWF's Prince Bernhard Scholarships for mid-career conservationists from the East and South to pursue studies or training
• WWF's Train Fellowships support individuals from developing countries to a) pursue a graduate degree in conservation, or b) improve training as a current or aspiring faculty member
• Wyss Fellows's 2-year program for emerging conservation leaders (recent graduates or career change) in western United States

Science communication and art  (some are mixed in above/below)

• Alicia Patterson Foundation fellowship for journalists to conduct in-depth reporting on local, national, and international affairs (not just science)
• Canadian Wilderness Artist Residency is for artists to find inspiration, community and resonance with the land while broadening experience in northern Canada.  Maybe subsidized? There is a cost.
  
• Informal Science has a list of external bodies that fund "informal STEM education"
• Leaders for Sea Change Program for marine conservationists and scientists working in Pacific coast of Canada, US, and Mexico 
• Metcalf Institute’s annual science immersion workshop for journalists (reporters and editors) to study climate change, fisheries and water management, sea level rise, and coastal pollution
• National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (UK) list of external funding to support STEM public engagement activities
• National Science Policy Network microgrant initiative supports initiatives led by US early-career scientists advocating for science policy and diplomacy
• NSERC Student Ambassadors for STEM outreach to under-represented youth ($1000)
• Royal Society for Biology (UK) has a list of science communication grants and funding
• Society for Science and The Public has two grants for "innovative organizations and science research teachers" (eligibility changes)
• Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Fund for "creative approaches in engaging the public with health research" 

​Prizes and awards

Know someone amazing?  Nominate them for an award!  Consider diversity (gender, ethnicity, career stage, etc) when thinking about potential nominees, including reducing unconscious bias when writing reference letters.

Canada only

• ​3M Environmental Innovation Award recognizes outstanding individuals in business, government, academia or community organizations whose innovative contributions to environmental change are benefiting Canada and Canadians
• 3M National Teaching Fellowship recognizes Canadian excellence in university teaching and educational leadership
• Alberta - Nature Alberta Awards honour vision, volunteerism and achievement in support of Alberta’s natural history
• BC - BC Nature Awards recognize members of BC Federation of Naturalists for their efforts in conservation and education
• BC - CUFA-BC Distinguished Academic Awards for societal impact of research done by public university professors in BC
• BC - Victoria Leadership Awards for community service (from youth to lifetime recognition) in Victoria, BC
• Canada's Clean50 awards recognize leaders in sustainable development and 'clean capitalism' (multiple categories)
• Canadian Association of University Teachers has awards for reseachers, academics staff, journalists, and more 
• Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Power of Youth Leadership Award for people <32 years old who live/work in BC (one award for research/analysis and one award for building social movements)
• Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs has awards for undergrad and grad student research, career achievement, and more
• Canadian Museum of Nature's Nature Inspiration Awards recognize individuals and organizations that encourage Canadians to take an interest in natural history, create links with nature, and contribute to its preservation
• Canadian Science Policy Centre's Exceptional Contribution to Science Policy Award recognizes individuals 
• Canadian Science Policy Conference Science Policy Excellence Award Youth (<35 years old)
• Canadian Science Writers Association has awards for excellence in promoting a better understanding of science by the public 
• Canadian Society for Ecology & Evolution's Early Career Awards for outstanding accomplishments and future research potential
• Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society has awards for students, professionals, NGOs, and researchers in wildlife and conservation
• Canadian Wildlife Federation Conservation Awards for professionals, educators, youth, volunteers, artists, 'outdoors people', & legislators
• Coastal Ocean Awards for marine and coastal research, conservation, and tech in BC, Canada (junior & senior categories)
• Quebec's Forces Avenir awards recognize, promote and honour university students or groups who have distinguished themselves in arts, culture, health, science, technology, peace, and more
• Geological Association of Canada awards for research, service, student, and communication of earth science in Canada 
• Government of Canada's list of national and international awards for science 
• Lane Anderson Award for Canadian science writing 
• International Mohn Prize for Outstanding Research Related to the Arctic
• Power of Youth Leadership Awards for young (<32 years old), progressive leaders in British Columbia -- one award for helping to build social movement and one for public interest or policy-related research
• Starfish Canada's Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 for young leaders creating positive environmental change in their communities
• Statistical Society of Canada's Excellence in Data Journalism Award
• Top 40 Under 40 
  • Calgary and Edmonton (same website, different awards)
  • Canada
  • Vancouver Island: Top 20 Under 40 Business and Community Achievement Awards
• UVic's list of community, provincial, and national awards
• UVic Provost's Engaged Scholar Award for tenured faculty 
• Wildlife Preservation Canada's Alec Monro Award for early or mid-career Canadians working on endangered species conservation
• Yukon Conservation Society's Gerry Couture Stewardship Award for outstanding personal dedication to natural resource conservation and management in the Yukon

International awards (Canadians might be eligible too)

• ​​AAAS Mani L. Bhaumik Award for Public Engagement with Science (formerly the AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology)
• AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science ("early career" means within seven years of terminal degree)
• BioOne Ambassador Award is for early-career researchers who have recently pubilshed in BioOne-related journals (a number are wildlife/conservation/ecology) and you have to be nominated by a BioOne partner (some professional societies qualify, e.g., TWS) 
• Blue Planet Prize for outstanding individuals or organizations who have helped to improve the global environment
• Charles Southwick Conservation Education Commitment Award recognizes individuals living in primate habitat countries that have made a significant contribution to formal and informal conservation education in their countries
• Fund for Nature Awards celebrate 'tangible achievements in protecting wild animal and plant species'
• The WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award and the Youth Award (13-29 years old) is for a person or an organization, anywhere in the world, working for a more sustainable future
• John Maddox Prize for individuals who promote sound science and evidence on a matter of public interest, facing difficulty or hostility​
• National Geographic/Buffett Awards for Leadership in Conservation for outstanding leadership to manage and protect the natural resources in their countries and region
• Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science for mentorship of young researchers
• * Rachel’s Network Catalyst Awards (5) for Women Environmental Leaders of Color (prioritizes women at mid-point of their career)
• * RAISE Project maintains the world's largest database for awards/prizes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine (with particular emphasis on nominating deserving women) 
• Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists for outstanding life science doctoral research in the last two years (read the winning 2015 Ecology & Environment essay by Liber Ero Fellow Adam Ford) 
• Society of Conservation Biology Service Awards for commitment to conservation and service to the field (public service, early-career, individual/group categories)
• Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (international) recognizes individuals making a difference in environmental science, health, or energy conferring great benefit for humanity 
• Union of Concerned Scientists Got Science? Champions for scientists whose "passion for the truth exceeds their fear of censure or political unpopularity"
• WWF-US Conservation Leadership Award for youth leaders (18-30) in the United States working on environmental issues 

Conference and travel funding

Many societies and conferences have travel awards (e.g., CSEE, CSZ, ESA, IMCC, SICB, TWS). Below is non-specific travel funding.

• ​Association of Commonwealth Universities has international travel/conference awards for early-career researchers and students for ACU member institutions around the world
• Animals Travel Award (800 CHF) for PhD students and postdocs presenting 'animal science' at an international conference
• AuthorAID has grants for researchers in developing countries to travel and present research, and to organize workshops
• British Ecological Society training grants (£1,000) for students and post-grad research assistants to attend field training courses, workshops and conferences 
• Charles Boyden Fund for Small Grants (£500, estuarine and coastal research) to travel for a conference, workshop, training, fieldwork, or to buy goods. Preference for students. 
• Diversity Journal Travel Award for postdoctoral students to attend a conference (800 CHF)
• Gregory Award provides economic assistance to outstanding students and young professionals from outside of the US and Canada to attend the Society of American Foresters National Convention
• OECD Co-operative Research Programme funding to host conference/workshop related to agriculture, forestry or fisheries. Also see fellowship program (must have 4 years postdoc training). 
• PLOS Early-Career Researcher Travel Awards ($500) towards conference, must have published in PLOS
• Sociological Review's (£1000) travel award for PhD students and postdocs (interdisciplinary research OK if a strong social bent)
• UVic student travel grants, CUPE 4163 travel funding