Conservation Scholarships

For the 2026-2027 academic year, there will be up to 6 scholarships available to incoming freshmen students, at $2,500 per semester ($5,000 per academic year if mid-year requirements are met). Scholarship funds will be issued to the academic institution directly on or before the following dates:

• August 1, 2026 -Fall semester funds issued
• January 15, 2027 – Spring semester funds issued

Application and Scholarship Requirements
First time applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A current Arkansas high school senior OR undergraduate student who attends or plans to attend an accredited college or university in Arkansas.
• The student must pursue a degree in an approved field of study
  • Agriculture  (emphasis in Natural Resources)
  • Aquaculture
  • Biology (non-medical)
  • Botany
  • Civil Engineering (emphasis in Sanitary/Environmental, Structural or Hydraulic)
  • Conservation Management
  • Criminal Justice
  • Environmental Management and Regulatory Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Fisheries
  • Forestry
  • Park and Recreation Administration (emphasis in Natural Resources)
  • Science Education
  • Wildlife Biology/ Science 
  • Zoology
• The student must maintain full-time status and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). 
• The student must be an Arkansas resident paying in-state tuition.
• The student must comply with application and timeline requirements.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, there will be up to 6 scholarships available to incoming sophomore students, at $2,500 per semester ($5,000 per academic year if mid-year requirements are met). Scholarship funds will be issued to the academic institution directly on or before the following dates:

• August 1, 2026 -Fall semester funds issued
• January 15, 2027 – Spring semester funds issued

Application and Scholarship Requirements
First time applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A current undergraduate student who attends or plans to attend an accredited college or university in Arkansas.
• The student must pursue a degree in an approved field of study
  • Agriculture  (emphasis in Natural Resources)
  • Aquaculture
  • Biology (non-medical)
  • Botany
  • Civil Engineering (emphasis in Sanitary/Environmental, Structural or Hydraulic)
  • Conservation Management
  • Criminal Justice
  • Environmental Management and Regulatory Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Fisheries
  • Forestry
  • Park and Recreation Administration (emphasis in Natural Resources)
  • Science Education
  • Wildlife Biology/Science 
  • Zoology
• The student must maintain full-time status and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). 
• The student must be an Arkansas resident paying in-state tuition.
• The student must comply with application and timeline requirements.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, there will be up to 6 scholarships available to incoming junior students, at $5,000 per semester ($10,000 per academic year if mid-year requirements are met). Scholarship funds will be issued to the academic institution directly on or before the following dates:

• August 1 – Fall semester funds issued
• January 15 – Spring semester funds issued

Application and Scholarship Requirements
First time applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A current undergraduate student who attends or plans to attend an accredited college or university in Arkansas.
• The student must pursue a degree in an approved field of study
  • Agriculture  (emphasis in Natural Resources)
  • Aquaculture
  • Biology (non-medical)
  • Botany
  • Civil Engineering (emphasis in Sanitary/Environmental, Structural or Hydraulic)
  • Conservation Management
  • Criminal Justice
  • Environmental Management and Regulatory Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Fisheries
  • Forestry
  • Park and Recreation Administration (emphasis in Natural Resources)
  • Science Education
  • Wildlife Biology/Science 
  • Zoology
• The student must maintain full-time status and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). 
• The student must be an Arkansas resident paying in-state tuition.
• The student must comply with application and timeline requirements.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, there will be up to 6 scholarships available to incoming senior students, at $5,000 per semester ($10,000 per academic year if mid-year requirements are met). Scholarship funds will be issued to the academic institution directly on or before the following dates:

• August 1 – Fall semester funds issued
• January 15 – Spring semester funds issued

Application and Scholarship Requirements
First time applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A current undergraduate student who attends or plans to attend an accredited college or university in Arkansas.
• The student must pursue a degree in an approved field of study
  • Agriculture  (emphasis in Natural Resources)
  • Aquaculture
  • Biology (non-medical)
  • Botany
  • Civil Engineering (emphasis in Sanitary/Environmental, Structural or Hydraulic)
  • Conservation Management
  • Criminal Justice
  • Environmental Management and Regulatory Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Fisheries
  • Forestry
  • Park and Recreation Administration (emphasis in Natural Resources)
  • Science Education
  • Wildlife Biology/Science 
  • Zoology
• The student must maintain full-time status and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). 
• The student must be an Arkansas resident paying in-state tuition.
• The student must comply with application and timeline requirements.

A current high school student or undergraduate student, who is an Arkansas resident, enrolled in an in-state academic institution full-time is eligible to apply. Active students are required to have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 throughout the academic year, maintain full time status, and are expected to complete volunteer requirements specified by their respective scholarship.

Note: Given the competitive nature of these scholarships, recipients who are offered a scholarship one academic year, may not receive it the following year. All applicants will need to re-apply each academic year they are seeking a scholarship.

Applications are open and can be submitted here.

Please see the below timeline for submission and notification deadlines.

• Application Period: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
• Application Deadline: Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m.
• *Phase 1 Applicant Evaluation Period: Jan. 1 – Jan. 31
• *Phase 2 Interview Invitation Notification:  Feb. 1
• Round 2 Reviews:  Feb. 1-28
• Award Notification: March 1
• Scholarship Acceptance Deadline: March 15

For any further questions, please email scholarships@agfc.ar.gov

The proposal should not exceed 12 pages, with 1-inch margins, in a 12 point font. The project narrative portion of the proposal should include the following components:

• Project Leader or Principal Investigator’s Name, Job Title, Affiliation, and Contact Information – Include contact information for the submitting Principal Investigator.
• Project Title – Use a descriptive title to distinguish the project from other proposals (300 character limit).
• Project Need and Objectives – Describe the context and rationale of the proposed research project, with statements of research goals and objectives. Include any literature cited as necessary.
• Approach – Detail the proposed approach and methods for completing the project.
• Expected Benefits – Describe the expected benefits of such a research project, to species, habitat, or member of the public.
• Broader Impacts – Present any broader impacts that may be seen as a result of the research.
• Timeline – Include the proposed timeline for completion of the project.
• Preliminary Budget – Detail how the fellowship funding would be used to support the graduate student.
• Student Mentorship and Professional Development Plan – Describe how the graduate student will be recruited and selected, including how AGFC staff will take part in the selection; how the PI and the AGFC committee member will mentor the student, including how often they will meet and how progress will be tracked; and the specific professional development the fellowship will support, such as conference or workshop travel and trainings.
• AGFC Partnership and Integration Plan – Identify a preferred partner within AGFC, by Division name, and describe how AGFC staff will be involved in the project beyond the committee seat described in Eligibility Requirements, how and when results will be delivered to AGFC, and how the partnership could continue after the fellowship.
• Qualifications – Provide a concise description that includes a) the name, title and organizational affiliation of each individual engaged in delivering the project, including the Principal Investigator (PI) and all partners, collaborators, contractors, etc., b) each individual’s qualifications and experience relevant to delivery of the proposed project; and c) each individual’s specific role and responsibilities in delivery of major project activities. If a contractor or individual is yet to be determined, please list the qualifications and experience sought for the appropriate role and responsibility. For PIs, please also include an abbreviated 1-2 page CV.
• Other Partners and Partnerships (optional) – Include any federal, state, regional or non-governmental organizations, other than AGFC, that may partner on the development of this project. Describe AGFC’s role in the AGFC Partnership and Integration Plan.

Principal Investigators (PIs) at public and private academic institutions with an active graduate program are eligible to apply. Each PI can submit only one application for the 2026-2027 period. For any questions relevant to the application process, please email scholarships@agfc.ar.gov.

Funding for the graduate fellowship will be disbursed to the academic institution directly to cover a graduate student’s stipend and various expenses. Given that fellowships are funded by the sales from the AGFC Conservation License Plate, a product that is only paid for by residents of the state of Arkansas, this fellowship is only eligible to students who attend in-state institutions for their graduate studies, who are U.S. citizens or those working towards citizenship. Both Arkansas residents and non-residents are eligible.

A PI who is awarded this funding will be expected to involve a compatible AGFC staff member in the selection of the graduate student who will accept this fellowship and have an AGFC staff member sit as a potential committee member for the duration of the project. The employee who sits on the committee may be different than the one involved in the candidate selection based on academic institution requirements and availability to serve on the committee. An expectation will be set that the sitting committee member will meet at least quarterly with the student in order to provide project support and mentorship throughout the fellowship.

Only thesis-based graduate projects will be considered for funding.

Recipients may be asked to present their work to AGFC staff or Commissioners.

Required assurances. Each proposal must include a statement signed by the PI agreeing to (1) participate in quarterly progress meetings with AGFC staff for the duration of the project, and (2) provide an annual report of project progress and a public presentation at project completion. The signed statement does not count toward the 12-page limit. A proposal without the signed statement will not be scored.

Application Period: October 1, 2026 – December 18, 2026

Application Deadline: December 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time

Award Notification: No later than January 15, 2027

Projects may begin no earlier than July 1, 2027 and funds must be expended by June 30, 2029.

Completed proposals can be submitted prior to December 18, 2026 by emailing a single PDF file to scholarships@agfc.ar.gov. Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee and notice of award selection will be given no later than January 15, 2027.

Before submitting, confirm that the proposal includes each of the following:

• A single PDF file, not to exceed 12 pages, with 1-inch margins in a 12 point font.
• PI name, job title, affiliation, and contact information.
• Project title within the 300 character limit.
• Project need and objectives, approach, expected benefits, broader impacts, timeline, preliminary budget, student mentorship and professional development plan, and AGFC partnership and integration plan.
• Qualifications for every named participant, plus an abbreviated 1-2 page CV for each PI.
• Confirmation that the project is thesis-based and that the student will attend an in-state institution.
• A statement signed by the PI agreeing to the required assurances in Eligibility Requirements.

The priorities below are examples of the research AGFC Divisions are interested in supporting. Each priority lists an AGFC contact who can answer questions about scope before you submit. Contacting a Division is optional and is not part of the evaluation.

What is the total amount available for each graduate fellowship?
There is $40,000 allocated to support two graduate fellowships each year. Each graduate fellowship recipient will be awarded $20,000 per year that can be used to cover their graduate student stipend, or other associated expenses. Each PI is only able to apply to receive up to $20,000 in funding to support one fellowship.

Will there be an opportunity to ask questions about this program?
Yes, potential applicants are encouraged to email scholarships@agfc.ar.gov.

Should students considered for the fellowship have a specific major or academic focus?
Given the breadth of work and support that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provides to the state, there is not a limit to the field of interest, and the potential scope of the project. PIs interested in applying and students selected for the graduate fellowship should have a demonstrated focus in one of the following degree programs:

• Agriculture (emphasis in Natural Resources)
• Aquaculture
• Biology (emphasis in Natural Resources)
• Botany
• Civil Engineering (emphasis in Sanitary/Environmental, Structural or Hydraulic)
• Communications
• Conservation Biology
• Criminal Justice
• Economics
• Environmental Management and Regulatory Science
• Fisheries Science
• Forestry
• Human Dimensions
• Park and Recreation Administration (emphasis in Natural Resources)
• Psychology
• Science Education
• Sociology
• Wildlife Biology
• Zoology

Only thesis-based graduate projects will be considered for funding. For any questions about a focus not listed, please email scholarships@agfc.ar.gov.

Each proposal will be reviewed by an agency-appointed Evaluation Committee, and scored based on the presented Scoring Descriptions.

Before any proposal is scored, AGFC will screen it for eligibility, format, the required narrative components, the signed assurances, and receipt by the deadline. Proposals that do not pass this screen will not be scored.

A reviewer’s points for each criterion equal the quality rating divided by 5, multiplied by the points possible. For example, a rating of 4 on a 25-point criterion earns 20 points. A proposal’s score is the average of the reviewers’ total scores. If two proposals have the same average score, the proposal with the higher average score for Soundness of project design and methodology ranks higher, and if they are still tied, the higher average score for alignment with the AGFC mission ranks higher.

Each proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria and weighted as shown below.