Graduate Fellowship Opportunities

Robert C. Ball and Betty A. Ball Fisheries and Wildlife Fellowship

The purpose of this award is to recognize a student(s) committed to the study of fisheries, limnology, or water quality. Dr. Robert C. Ball was one of the first members of the faculty in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. He is a well-known and respected limnologist. During his tenure, the limnology program within the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife was highly regarded nationally and he served as the advisor for many graduate students who became well-known limnologists. In addition to his faculty role, Dr. Ball also served as the Director of the Institute for Water Research.

Applications due Wednesday February 12, 2025

Past Fellowship Recipients

  • Nick Boucher, 2024
  • Marinna Guzy, 2024
  • Kyle Brumm, 2023
  • Max Majinska, 2023
  • Emma Rice, 2022
  • Emily Liljestrand, 2022
  • Danielle Matuszak, 2021
  • Matthew Zink, 2021
  • Janice Albers, 2020
  • Alexandra Walus, 2020
  • Samantha Betances, 2019-2020
  • Erin Tracy, 2019-2020
  • Andrew Carlson, 2018-2019
  • Katelyn King, 2018-2019
  • Joel Betts, 2017-2018
  • Laura Twardochleb, 2017-2018
  • Janet Hsiao, 2016-2017
  • Joe Nohner, 2016-2017
  • Darrin McCullough, 2015-2016
  • Jeffery White, 2014-2015
  • No Award 2013-2014
  • Jason Smith 2012-2013
  • Seth Herbst 2011-2012
  • Darren Thornbrugh 2010-2011
  • Jan-Michael Hessenauer 2009-2010
  • Arthur Cooper 2008-2009
  • Ralph Tingley 2007-2008

 

Hal and Jean Glassen Conservation Medicine Fellowship

The purpose of this award is to recognize a student committed to the study of Fish and Wildlife Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine. Hal and Jean Glassen were avid hunters who believed in the scientific management of wildlife. Lifelong conservationists, they supported research and programs aimed at habitat improvement, sustainable harvest through controlled hunting, and understanding the carrying capacity of land for wildlife. This fellowship was established as a means of providing support to deserving graduate students enrolled in the Fish and Wildlife Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine Specialization and pursuing graduate-level research related to the goals of this specialization. 

Applications due Wednesday February 12, 2025

Past Fellowship Recipients

  • Gia Haddock, 2024
  • Kristen Hirst, 2024
  • Carly Andrews, 2023
  • Steven Gurney, 2023
  • Dan Li, 2023
  • Jack Magee, 2023
  • Michelle Volk, 2022
  • Sam Courtney, 2022
  • Noelle Thompson, 2021
  • Chris Knupp, 2020
  • Vishvapali (Viva) Kobbekaduwa, 2019-2020
  • Amanda Dolinski, 2018-2019
  • Arthur Muneza, 2017-2018
  • Genevieve Pang, 2016-2017
  • Sonja Christensen, 2015-2016 
  • Yushi Oguchi, 2014-2015
  • Isis Kuczaj 2013-2014

 

Joseph Laurence Maison Fellowship for Wildlife Conservation

The purpose of this award is to recognize a student who is committed to pursuing a career in wildlife conservation. Joe Maison, who was a Michigan outdoorsman and hunter all his life, through experience came to understand something of the lives of local wildlife. He had great respect for the state’s animals, birds and fish and appreciated the idea of habitat conservation.

Applications due Wednesday February 12, 2025

Past Fellowship Recipients

  • Nick Alioto, 2024
  • Carly Andrews, 2024
  • Carly Andrews, 2023
  • Steven Gurney, 2023
  • Sydney Waloven, 2023
  • Ben Luukkonen, 2022
  • Steven Gurney, 2022
  • Tracy Melvin, 2020 Teaching Fellowship
  • Melissa Starking, 2019-2020
  • Beth Gerstner, 2019-2020
  • Claire Hoffman, 2018-2019
  • Remington Moll, 2018-2019
  • Tracy Melvin, 2017-2018
  • Jennifer Smith, 2017-2018
  • Amber Goguen, 2016-2017
  • Randy Knapik, 2016-2017
 

Dr. Howard A. Tanner Fisheries Excellence Fellowship

The purpose of this award is to recognize a student who is committed to fisheries research related to the Great Lakes, connecting waterway or tributary stream research. Dr. Howard Tanner is an alumnus of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife earning his Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Robert Ball – a well-respected limnologist. In the mid-1960’s, Dr. Tanner served as the Chief of the Fisheries Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) where he was heavily involved in the initial salmon stocking in the Great Lakes. From there, he served as the Director of Natural Resources for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University.

Applications due Wednesday February 12, 2025

Past Fellowship Recipients

  • Justin Miller, 2024
  • Kyle Brumm, 2023
  • Max Majinska, 2023
  • Carrie Meier, 2022
  • Tyler Firkus, 2021
  • Samantha Betance, 2020
  • Jonathan Hegna, 2019-2020
  • Emily Dean, 2018-2019
  • Ryan Andrews, 2017-2018
  • Alex Jensen, 2016-2017
  • Erin Jarvie, 2015-2016
  • Marissa Hammond, 2014-2015
  • Brandon Armstrong 2013-2014
  • Abigail Lynch 2013-2014
  • Darren Thornbrugh 2012-2013
  • Eric MacMillan 2010-2011
  • Jody Simoes 2009-2010
  • Laura Claus 2008-2009
 

John Peters and Marietta Peters Endowed Fellowship

The purpose of this award is to recognize a graduate student who seeks a career in aquatic biology related to fisheries and wetlands resources, an interest in the protection and management of aquatic habitats dealing with issues related to physical changes of channels, water quality, and the allocation of water resources. Dr. Peters professional career spanned 3 decades with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Bureau of Reclamation, and Environmental Protection Agency. His work focused on the aquatic environment with particular interest in environmental protection of aquatic resources.

Applications due Wednesday February 12, 2025

Past Fellowship Recipients

  • Justin Miller, 2024
  • Michelle Remer, 2023
  • Sydney Waloven, 2023
 

The Vera M. Wallach Graduate Fellowship

This award is for Michigan State University graduate students studying wildlife management, wildlife ecology, or natural resource management, or conducting Arctic and Antarctic research, with emphasis on the protection and preservation of wildlife in those regions.

Applications due Wednesday February 12, 2025

Past Fellowship Recipients

  • Nick Manning, 2024
  • Gabby Nielson, 2024
  • Carly Andrews, 2023
  • Jack Magee, 2023
  • Michelle Remer, 2023
  • Veronica Frans, 2022
  • Jillian Sterman, 2022
  • Kyle Brumm, 2022
  • Noelle, Thompson, 2021
  • Kandace Griffin, 2020
  • Claire Hoffmann, 2019-2020
  • Stephen Gray, 2018-2019
  • Ciara Hovis, 2018-2019
  • Jacalyn Beck, 2017-2018
  • Kelly Kapsar, 2017-2018
  • Madison Hall, 2016-2017
  • Tracy Swem, 2016-2017
 

The Annual Ambrose Pattullo Fund for Environmental Issues Graduate Fellowship for Literary Work

The purpose of this award is to recognize students who are interested in current environmental issues and who have written about these issues for possible publication in a literary outlet.

Applications due Wednesday February 12, 2025

Past Fellowship Recipients

  • Morgan Doherty, 2024
  • Emma Rice, 2023
  • Jared Gregorini, 2022
  • Kelly Kaspar, 2021
  • Edith Gondwe 2020
  • Alison Singer, 2019
  • Jacalyn Beck, 2018-2019
  • Talitha Tukura Pam, 2017-2018
  • Kathryn Frens, 2016-2017
  • Remington Moll, 2015-2016
  • Yang Li, 2014-2015
  • Nathan Snow, 2013-2014
  • Nicholas Skaff, 2013-2014
  • Kara Stevens, 2012-2013
  • Abigail Lynch, 2012-2013
  • Kara Stevens, 2009-2010

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation and Environmental Leadership Fellowship

This fellowship was established to enable graduate students from a variety of disciplines to build their leadership capacity early in their career. Fellowships are intended to help recipients achieve a level of professional and personal growth that prepares them for leadership roles in natural resources and conservation-based organizations and agencies.

Applications due February 12, 2025

Past Fellowship Recipients

  • Kyle Brumm, 2022
  • Samantha Courtney, 2022
  • Alyssa Tarrant (Horticulture), 2021
  • Tracy Melvin, 2020
  • Noelle, Thompson, 2020
  • Tessaliz Quiles-Delgado, 2019
  • Apoorva Joshi (Journalism), 2018
  • Samantha Thiede, 2018
  • Erin Tracy, 2017
  • Kelly van Frankenhuyzen (Journalism), 2017
  • Andrew Carlson, 2016
  • Betsy Riley, 2016

Michigan Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship

Fellowships to support graduate students (M.S. or Ph.D.) conducting research in the natural or social
sciences in collaboration with Great Lakes agencies or non-governmental organizations for one or two
years.

Applications due May 30, 2025

 

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