WAI Fellowships support PhD students and postdocs who want research careers in wild animal welfare science. Fellows work with a WAI mentor for a three-month placement to turn their project idea into a full research plan, then complete the project with their academic supervisor. Grants run up to US$100,000 a year for up to three years, with a guaranteed stipend of at least US$50,000 a year (up to US$75,000 to match local postdoc pay). Applications close on 31 October 2026. Link
fellowships/scholarships
International Development Research Center — Research in Community Forestry 2026
The John G. Bene Fellowship is awarded to graduate students at Canadian universities who hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. The grant is for research on the relationship between forest resources and the social, economic, cultural, and environmental welfare of people in developing countries. Therefore, the student must spend a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks in the field in the following regions: Middle East, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Far Eastern Asia, Caribbean, Central America, South America, or Oceania. The award covers field research expenses up to CA$30 thousand per year. The deadline for submitting applications has been extended to 30 November 2026. Community Forestry Fellowship
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027
With funding from the UK’s Department for International Development, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are available to citizens of Commonwealth countries for master’s studies at UK universities, usually for one year. The participating academic programs include several subject areas such as environmental science and management, agroforestry, livestock management, remote sensing, disaster management, wetlands science, etc. The CSC lists the participating universities and their eligible courses. Potential applicants must check with the relevant UK university regarding their admission requirements and guidelines for applying. The deadline for scholarship applications is 08 December 2026. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis — Young Scientists Summer Program 2027
IIASA invites doctoral students worldwide to participate in its Young Scientists Summer Program held at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis’s headquarters in Laxenburg, Austria. The selected participants work with IIASA’s senior scientists in research on energy, ecosystem services, water, risk policy and vulnerability, and other topics. Scholarships are available from IIASA’s national member organizations. A limited number of scholarships are available from other sources. The deadline for registrations to the 2027 program is 10 January 2027. Young Scientists Summer Program
Stanford University — Summer Fellowships for Future Leaders 2027
The Draper Hills Summer Fellowship on Democracy and Development Program is a three-week academic training program for mid-career practitioners in the fields of democracy, development, and the rule of law. Applicants can be working as policy-makers, academics, legal professionals, social entrepreneurs, business entrepreneurs, and leaders of civil society organizations. Stanford will pay for accommodations, meals, and transportation costs during the duration of the program. A small travel fund is available for fellows who under no circumstances can support their travel. The application deadline is 12 January 2027. Find the Summer Fellowships
Social Science Research Council — APN Individual Research Fellowships
The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) offers fellowships to African researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners working on conflict and peace-building issues. The posted list of issues includes natural resource conflicts and water conflicts. The fellowships are intended to support six months of field-based research with grants of up to US$15 thousand. Applicants must be citizens of and reside in an African country. The application deadline is 15 January 2027. APN Individual Research Fellowships
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education — Scholarship Program for South Africa
The IHE Delft/FirstRand Scholarship provides full funding for one South African student a year to study for an MSc in Water and Sustainable Development at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. Before applying for the scholarship, prospective students first need to apply and be admitted to the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development from IHE Delft. The closing date for scholarship applications is 25 February 2027. Know more
German Academic Exchange Service — Scholarships
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a comprehensive range of scholarship programs for German and international students, graduates, and academics. DAAD offers scholarship programs that are generally open to all subjects as well as subject-specific programs. Financial support consists of a regular monthly payment over a specified period. In addition to contributing to students’ cost of living, scholarship holders may often receive subsidies for books, health insurance, or childcare. Every scholarship provider has its own selection and application procedures. DAAD scholarship database
Earth Journalism Network — Reporting Fellowships to Cover the High Seas Treaty COP1 in New York
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) will send ten journalists, split equally between the Global North and Global South, to cover the first Conference of the Parties of the High Seas Treaty (the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement) in New York from 11 to 22 January 2027. The network pays economy airfare, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance and ground transport, plus a daily allowance, and reimburses visa costs. It also arranges press accreditation and provides a pre-conference virtual workshop, an orientation day on 10 January, and daily briefings with media trainers. Applicants must be professional journalists from or representing an established media house in a coastal country, with experience reporting on ocean issues. Fellows must produce at least two in-depth stories during the fellowship or within two weeks after it. The network especially encourages applicants from Namibia, Ecuador, Peru, Seychelles, Japan, Spain, Canada and South Korea. The deadline is 27 October 2026. Reporting Fellowships
Technische Universität Dresden — Masters in Tropical Forestry 2027
The MSc Course in Tropical Forestry taught at Technische Universität Dresden (TDU) in Germany qualifies students to develop sustainable forest management strategies and implement development-relevant interventions in rural and peri-urban areas. Germany’s DAAD (the German Academic Exchange Service) will fund a limited number of scholarships for applicants from developing countries to enroll in TDU’s 2-year master’s program. Applicants must hold a university degree in forestry, agriculture, horticulture, or other related field. DAAD scholarship applications must be submitted latest until 30 October one year prior to the beginning of the course. About this scholarship