International Wolf Center Undergraduate Research Fellowship Opportunity

International Wolf Center to invest in next generation of wildlife biologists

Dr. L. David Mech Fellowships to provide two $10,000 fellowships; applications now open

A new fellowship from the International Wolf Center aims to invest in the next generation of wildlife biologists. The first Dr. L. David Mech Fellowships will be awarded in 2022, funding up to $10,000 of the college experience for two lucky students.

“As an organization founded by one of the world’s pre-eminent wildlife biologists, we believe that continued investment in scientific discovery about wolves and other wildlife will help build a future where wolves and humans can coexist and thrive,” said Grant Spickelmier, the Center’s Executive Director. “We also understand that many barriers exist for students and early career researchers and hope these fellowships can be useful tools for opening up access to people pursuing a wildlife biology career.”

Since it was founded in 1985 by Mech and others, the Center has sought to provide the latest scientific information about wolves to our visitors and program participants. To ensure opportunities exist for future generations of scientists, the Center will award up to two fellowships in early 2022 for undergraduate students or recent graduates interested in pursuing careers in wildlife biology.  Fellowship recipients will receive a $6,000 stipend and up to $4,000 in support for field research expenses. This support will also cover costs to allow the fellowship recipients to attend the 2022 International Wolf Symposium, scheduled for Oct. 13-16 in Minneapolis where they will be asked to present a poster on their work.

“These fellowships are a wonderful way to help budding biologists,” Mech said. “I am proud that the International Wolf Center is offering them, and I am highly honored that they bear my name.”

Applications for this fellowship are due on December 15, 2021.  Along with a resume and cover letter, applicants must describe in detail the research project they hope to participate in if awarded this fellowship.  They may create their own project or use the fellowship to support their participation as a volunteer or intern for an established research effort.  The research project must be “wolf-related”, either directly involving wolves, another wild canid species or a broader study looking at the interactions between several species including wolves. Special consideration will be given to candidates from communities of color and indigenous communities.  For more information, or to apply for a fellowship, visit https://wolf.org/programs/mech-fellowship/?fbclid=IwAR0UC0vhJHiDktXm_D9VlwvQGfs8SpTc8sDbdennu-PYSmXpoTM5bqbOx2Y

The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future. For more information about the International Wolf Center, visit wolf.org