Applications

Take your research to the next level. Apply for a Ducks Unlimited fellowship.

Applications details

Applications are due December 5, 2025

This year we have three fellowships available:

Dr. Bruce D.J. Batt Fellowship in Waterfowl Conservation
Bonnycastle Fellowship for Wetland and Waterfowl Research
Waterfowl Research Foundation Fellowship

Plus, two one-time awards (i.e., funding is available for one year only, with no renewal possible):

Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Foundation Wetlands and Waterfowl Research Fellowship
A special Bonnycastle Fellowship worth $14,000 USD

Please note that competition is stiff. Applications are reviewed and ranked by a committee of Ducks Unlimited staff from Canada and the United States. The application checklist and individual award pages detail the scoring criteria. Note that some fellowships have additional award eligibility criteria and required supporting documents.

Applications typically scoring highest have projects that are scientifically sound and clearly highlight potential contribution to a) basic biology (e.g. developing/testing ecological theory or addressing fundamental uncertainties in wetland and waterfowl ecology), b) waterfowl and/or wetland conservation, and c) Ducks Unlimited management decisions. Of these criteria, the first tends to be the weakest in otherwise competitive applications.

Download the application checklist Download the budget template

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