Fellowships & Scholarships

There are several opportunities for fellowships and scholarships for both undergraduates and graduate students alike to assist with their research and educational goals. Read below to learn more…

Undergraduate Fellowships & Scholarships

Fellowships for Summer Undergraduate Research in the Texas Field Station Network

The James and Anita Major Environmental Research Excellence Fund provides support for CNS undergraduates pursuing summer research at any Texas Field Station Network site. Preference shall be given for students interested in summer research at the Hill Country Field Station, Stengl Lost Pines, or the Wildflower Center. Students can apply for this funding through two CNS summer fellowship programs:

CNS Advanced Summer Research Fellowship

Supports: Advanced research with confirmed UT faculty supervisor (Texas Field Station Network eligible).
Award: $4,000 for full-time commitment of 35-40 hours/week for at least 8 weeks.
Eligibility: CNS undergrad; graduates Summer 2026 or later; prior qualifying research; UT Austin home institution; project and supervisor confirmed.
Deadlines: Application due in LASSO by Feb 20, 2026; rec letter due Feb 27, 2026.

CNS Summer Experiential Learning Fellowships (SELF)

Supports: Domestic or international research/internships (UT-affiliated or self-sourced); preference for unpaid/underpaid; Texas Field Station Network funding available.
Award: ranges from $500-$6000 depending on experience and need
Eligibility: CNS undergrad; graduates Summer 2026 or later; UT Austin home; experience confirmed; domestic experiences ≥160 hours, international experiences ≥120 hours; students can only submit 1 experience for funding.
Deadline: Application due in LASSO by April 15, 2026, no rec letter required

Additional fellowship details can be found on the Office of Experiential Learning Fellowships & Scholarships page. Please email cns.exl@austin.utexas.edu with questions.

Bee Cave Ecology Fund

The Bee Cave Ecology fund provides support for undergraduate and graduate student research in field biology (such as systematics, ecology, population and conservation biology). Preference is for the student to be engaged in research projects involving the use of the Bee Cave area in in Travis County, Texas, or similar habitats. Please use this form to submit a request for this funding opportunity. Contact Ken Wray with questions.

Texas Field Station Network Research and Education Funds

Current UT Austin undergraduate students may request funding support for using Texas Field Station Network sites for research projects or educational activities. Available funding and requirements vary. Please use this form to request funding support and learn more. Contact Ken Wray with questions.

Ari Yehiel Blattstein Endowed Presidential Scholarship

Drs. Deborah and Abraham Blattstein, both UT alums, founded the Ari Yehiel Blattstein Endowed Presidential Scholarship in honor of their young son, Ari, whose promising life was ended by a tragic accident. At an early age, Ari was writing contest-winning poetry, creating art, and loved nature, animals, and museums. This scholarship is awarded by TFSN faculty and research staff to recognize outstanding undergraduate or graduate students with a demonstrated interest in nature, conducting research at the Brackenridge Field Lab or other UT field stations.

Graduate Fellowships & Scholarships

Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellowships

The endowment supports year-long fellowships for doctoral candidates pursuing dissertation research in the area of Diversity of life and organisms in their natural environments. Funded by the Stengl-Wyer Endowment, fellowship recipients will receive a 12-month stipend, full tuition and fees, staff health insurance, and an allowance of $2,000 to cover research and travel expenses. Must be a current UT graduate student within the College of Natural Sciences to apply: https://cns.utexas.edu/academics/graduate-study

We strongly urge projects to apply that will use both of these field stations: Brackenridge Field Lab and Stengl Lost Pines. Applicants should consult with us for project suitability, access to facilities and letters of support before submission.

Learn more about the fellowship

Stengl-Wyer Postdoctoral Scholars Program

Funded by the Stengl-Wyer Endowment, the Stengl-Wyer Postdoctoral Scholars Program provides up to three years of independent support for talented postdoctoral researchers in the broad area of the diversity of life and/or organisms in their natural environments. Scholars can study any groups of organisms, at levels from genes to populations to communities to ecosystems, and can use any combination of approaches. The award competition is conducted annually. The form and timing of competitions may change in subsequent years.

We strongly urge projects to apply that will use both field stations: Brackenridge Field Lab and Stengl Lost Pines. Applicants should consult with us for project suitability, access to facilities and letters of support before submission.

Learn more about the program

Bee Cave Ecology Fund

The Bee Cave Ecology fund provides support for undergraduate and graduate student research in field biology (such as systematics, ecology, population and conservation biology). Preference is for the student to be engaged in research projects involving the use of the Bee Cave area in in Travis County, Texas, or similar habitats. Please use this form or click below to submit a request for this funding opportunity. Contact Ken Wray with questions.

Texas Field Station Network Research and Education Funds

Apply for funding support to use the Texas Field Station Network sites. Open to any current UT Austin undergraduate and graduate students. Projects may be proposed on a rolling basis while funds are available. Some funding opportunities may require donor reporting. Current funding includes support for research/education activities that include the Stengl Lost Pines area, with preference to student research support.

Please apply through this form: https://forms.office.com/r/EfF819nmqK and contact Ken Wray with questions.

Ari Yehiel Blattstein Endowed Presidential Scholarship

Drs. Deborah and Abraham Blattstein, both UT alums, founded the Ari Yehiel Blattstein Endowed Presidential Scholarship in honor of their young son, Ari, whose promising life was ended by a tragic accident. At an early age, Ari was writing contest-winning poetry, creating art, and loved nature, animals, and museums. This scholarship is awarded by TFSN faculty and research staff to recognize outstanding undergraduate or graduate students with a demonstrated interest in nature, conducting research at the Brackenridge Field Lab or other UT field stations.

Graduate Research Funding Opportunities in Biodiversity Projects

A generous gift from the Winkler Family Foundation to the Biodiversity Center will support graduate student research in biodiversity. The fund will provide support for unanticipated research supplies and laboratory charges to help graduate students complete dissertation research projects in biodiversity.

Proposals should not be for startup funds, or the primary research funds for the dissertation, for which other funds are available. Rather, finishing graduate students who encounter unexpected research expenses (such as research supplies or core facility charges) that are needed to complete their dissertation in biodiversity studies (in any graduate program) may apply for funding. There is no deadline for applying: applications can be made as needed.

For more information, email Nicole Elmer.