SES Graduate scholarships & awards

Wyss Scholars Program for the Conservation of the American West

Graduate students in their first year of the MS program in Environmental Sciences & Policy are eligible to apply for this award, which is focused on supporting future leaders in conservation. The deadline is the earliest of all the awards listed here (January).  For more information and to apply see the Wyss Scholars Announcement 2021.

SES Environmental scholarships

Deadline is Monday, March 29, 2021, at 5pm.  

One application to apply for both awards. You will need to upload as a single PDF file:

1. An essay that describes your involvement in an environmental or sustainability project (research, education, or service) AND/OR  your primary interests in conservation in relation to your current studies (1-2 pages total)
2. A description of how you would use these funds (up to 1 page)
3. A statement of your career goals (up to 1 page)
4. Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions.

Henry Hooper Student Fund

The Henry Hooper Student Fund is intended to support student projects that involve an environmental or sustainability issue or activity in research, education, or service.  Amount of award varies: up to $1,000.

Bill Morrall Conservation Scholarship

The Bill Morrall Conservation Scholarship was established in 1983 by the Arizona Wildlife Federation to honor the memory of Bill Morrall. Bill was actively involved in the work of the foundation and conservation issues important to Northern Arizona. Past recipients may apply. Recipients must be US citizens, enrolled in conservation-related studies, and continuing at NAU next year. Amount of award varies: approximately $500.

Conservation Biology Awards

The following scholarships are administered outside of SES but of interest to many of our grad students. Deadline is Friday, March 19, 2021, at 5pm.  

Brad McRae and John Prather Fellowships Announcement and Application Instructions 2021

The John Prather Graduate Scholarship in Conservation Biology

The John W. Prather Scholarship supports graduate student research in conservation biology. Application is open to all graduate students in good standing at Northern Arizona University who are engaged in research related to the conservation of biological diversity. Selection of the awardee will be based on the quality of the application materials and the student’s potential impact in the field of conservation biology. Amount: $1000.

John Prather, 1969-2006, was an ecologist with great intellect and love for nature.  His research focused on the ecology, behavior, and distribution of terrestrial vertebrates, with an emphasis on birds.  John was also a thoughtful and passionate participant in grassroots democracy and was an eloquent spokesman on issues related to human rights, peace, and justice.

Brad McRae Fellowship for Innovation in Conservation of Biodiversity

The McRae Fellowship supports graduate student research in the conservation of biodiversity or wilderness. Students must be enrolled (or accepted, with enrollment before an award is made) as a degree-seeking student in a thesis-based graduate program with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the graduate program. Selection is based on innovation, scientific rigor, and practical utility.

In his NAU graduate thesis, Brad McRae (PhD, NAU School of Forestry, 2004) invented the circuit theory model of gene flow and animal movement. Circuit theory quickly became a dominant paradigm in conservation biology and other scientific disciplines. In the wake of Brad’s untimely death in July 2017, his family and colleagues established this award to help NAU graduate students develop their own innovative ideas. Amount: 1 to 3 fellowships of $2500 to $7500 each.