College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Fellowships Using the FW Graduate Student Fellowship Common Application

The following fellowships use a Common Application. The Wallach and Roosevelt Fellowships are open to MSU graduate students in any major; the remaining fellowships using this application are open to graduate students majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife. Award amounts vary from $3,000 - $5,000 each. Some fellowships may have multiple awardees. Students will be considered for and may receive multiple fellowships if eligible.

Full details and instructions are available at this link: FW Graduate Fellowship Call. Please note that three separate forms (Student Application Form, Advisor Recommendation Form, Additional Reference Form) are required for a complete application. All application materials are due January 9, 2026. 

Robert C. Ball and Betty A. Ball Fisheries and Wildlife Fellowship: The purpose of this award is to recognize a student(s) committed to the study of fisheries, limnology, or water quality. Dr. Robert C. Ball was one of the first members of the faculty in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. During his tenure, the limnology program within the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife was highly regarded nationally and he served as the advisor for many graduate students who became well-known limnologists.

Hal and Jean Glassen Conservation Medicine Fellowship: The purpose of this award is to recognize a student committed to the study of Fish and Wildlife Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine. Hal and Jean Glassen were avid hunters who believed in the scientific management of wildlife. This fellowship was established as a means of providing support to deserving graduate students enrolled in the Fish and Wildlife Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine Specialization and pursuing graduate-level research related to the goals of this specialization.

Joseph Laurence Maison Fellowship for Wildlife Conservation: The purpose of this award is to recognize a student who is committed to pursuing a career in wildlife conservation. Joe Maison, who was a Michigan outdoorsman and hunter all his life, through experience came to understand something of the lives of local wildlife. He had great respect for the state’s animals, birds and fish and appreciated the idea of habitat conservation.

Dr. Howard A. Tanner Fisheries Excellence Fellowship: The purpose of this award is to recognize a student who is committed to fisheries research related to the Great Lakes, connecting waterway or tributary stream research. Dr. Howard Tanner is an alumnus of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and served as the Chief of the Fisheries Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).

John Peters and Marietta Peters Endowed Fellowship: The purpose of this award is to recognize a graduate student who seeks a career in aquatic biology related to fisheries and wetlands resources, an interest in the protection and management of aquatic habitats dealing with issues related to physical changes of channels, water quality, and the allocation of water resources. Dr. Peters' work focused on the aquatic environment with particular interest in environmental protection of aquatic resources.

The Vera M. Wallach Graduate Fellowship: This award is for Michigan State University graduate students studying wildlife management, wildlife ecology, or natural resource management, or conducting Arctic and Antarctic research, with emphasis on the protection and preservation of wildlife in those regions.

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation and Environmental Leadership Fellowship: This fellowship was established to enable graduate students from a variety of disciplines to build their leadership capacity early in their career. Fellowships are intended to help recipients achieve a level of professional and personal growth that prepares them for leadership roles in natural resources and conservation-based organizations and agencies.

2026 Graduate Student Fellowship Common Application

Due Date for All Materials: January 9, 2026

The Janice Lee Fenske Excellence in Fisheries Management Fellowship

Jan Fenske was the first female biologist for the Fisheries Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. During her 27 years of service, her love of the environment compelled her to work untiringly for the long-term protection and sustainable use of the State’s aquatic resources. The intent of this award is to honor Jan’s attitude, deep commitment to the resource, integrity, and memory by providing graduate students in the Department with additional financial and mentoring opportunities to assist them in developing successful careers in fisheries management.

2026-27 Fenske Fellowship Application

Due Date for All Materials: January 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM

The Annual Ambrose Pattullo Fund for Environmental Issues Graduate Fellowship for Literary Work

The purpose of this award is to recognize students who are interested in current environmental issues and who have written about these issues for possible publication in a literary outlet.

2026 Pattullo Fellowship Application

Due Date for All Materials: January 9, 2026