David H. Smith Postdoctoral Conservation Research Fellowship Program
Forecasted
David H. Smith Postdoctoral Conservation Research Fellowship Program supports early-career scientists conducting applied conservation research to connect science with practice in the U.S. and its territories.
Funder: Society for Conservation Biology
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Two years of support: $74,263 salary in 2027 and $76,490 in 2028, plus benefits and $45,000 for research and travel
Summary: Supports early-career scientists conducting applied conservation research that connects science with practice in the United States and its territories.
Key Information: Applicants need a U.S.-based host institution and at least one academic and one conservation practitioner mentor.
Description
The David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship provides full-time, two-year postdoctoral support for early-career conservation scientists. Funded by the Cedar Tree Foundation and administered by the Society for Conservation Biology, it supports fellow-led research addressing pressing conservation challenges through partnerships with practitioners, policymakers, or communities. Projects may use ecological, social, or interdisciplinary approaches, including human dimensions research, environmental justice, governance, policy, and community-based conservation.
The program invests in both research and conservation leadership through structured mentorship, professional development retreats, and a cohort-based network. It prioritizes research with clear pathways to practical application and meaningful, lasting conservation impact. Projects should extend beyond doctoral work with novel, bold, or risky elements. The fellowship welcomes scientific, local, traditional, Indigenous, and community knowledge and emphasizes inclusive participation.
