David H. Smith Postdoctoral Conservation Research Fellowship Program
A two-year postdoctoral fellowship supporting early-career scientists to lead innovative, applied research on urgent conservation challenges in the U.S. and its territories, with mentoring and professional development.
Funder: Society for Conservation Biology
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 (full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $72,100 (2026) and $74,263 (2027) salary plus $40,000 research/travel over two years; full benefits provided by host institution.
Summary: Two-year postdoctoral fellowship supporting early-career scientists to conduct innovative, applied conservation research relevant to the U.S. and its territories, with professional development and mentorship.
Key Information: All dates are projected; review annual program updates before applying.
Description
The David H. Smith Postdoctoral Conservation Research Fellowship is a prestigious, cohort-based two-year fellowship for early-career conservation scientists. The program supports innovative, applied research that addresses urgent conservation challenges in the United States and its five permanently-inhabited territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa). Fellows design and lead their own research projects in close collaboration with an academic and a practitioner mentor, ensuring that science is integrated with real-world conservation practice.
In addition to research funding, Fellows receive comprehensive professional development through annual retreats, skill-building workshops, and leadership training. The program emphasizes building strong networks within the conservation community, fostering diverse perspectives, and advancing the careers of future leaders in applied conservation science. Fellows also join a vibrant network of alumni and benefit from lifetime membership in the Society for Conservation Biology.
