College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

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.

Applications are OPEN and due Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Please contact Becca Wetzel (blundel2@msu.edu) for the application materials.  

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. He is a well-known and respected limnologist. 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. In addition to his faculty role, Dr. Ball also served as the Director of the Institute for Water Research.

Next Application Cycle expected to open in fall 2025 

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. Lifelong conservationists, they supported research and programs aimed at habitat improvement, sustainable harvest through controlled hunting, and understanding the carrying capacity of land for 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. 

Next Application Cycle expected to open in fall 2025 

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.

Next Application Cycle expected to open in fall 2025 

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 earning his Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Robert Ball – a well-respected limnologist. In the mid-1960’s, Dr. Tanner served as the Chief of the Fisheries Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) where he was heavily involved in the initial salmon stocking in the Great Lakes. From there, he served as the Director of Natural Resources for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University.

Next Application Cycle expected to open in fall 2025 

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 professional career spanned 3 decades with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Bureau of Reclamation, and Environmental Protection Agency. His work focused on the aquatic environment with particular interest in environmental protection of aquatic resources.

Next Application Cycle expected to open in fall 2025 

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.

Next Application Cycle expected to open in fall 2025 

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.

Next Application Cycle expected to open in fall 2025 

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.

Next Application Cycle expected to open in fall 2025 

Michigan Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship

Fellowships to support graduate students (M.S. or Ph.D.) conducting research in the natural or social
sciences in collaboration with Great Lakes agencies or non-governmental organizations for one or two
years.

Applications currently closed