The Don and Virginia Eckelberry Endowment
The Don and Virginia Eckelberry Endowment supports nature artists worldwide with research, travel, and field studies that foster artistic growth and encourage preservation of the natural world.
Funder: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Due Dates: October 31, 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Typically $3,000–$5,000; one award annually
Summary: Supports nature artists worldwide with research, travel, and field studies that advance artistic growth and encourage conservation.
Key Information: Projects must have a tangible end product supported by a third-party institution; photography, film, and audio works are not accepted.
Description
The Don and Virginia Eckelberry Endowment at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University supports visual artists whose work focuses on nature. Established in 2000 to honor two artists who celebrated the natural world, the endowment funds research, travel, and field studies that bring science and artistic practice together through first-hand observation.
The fellowship prioritizes experiences in the field that expand artists’ exposure to nature and create opportunities for artistic growth. Projects should lead to a specific, tangible outcome, such as an exhibition, publication, or educational or conservation-oriented project. Applicants must explain how the fellowship will advance their skills and careers as artists for nature. The endowment also seeks to create new advocates for preservation of the natural world.
