All requests for fellowship, research, or travel support should be made to MVZ Associate Director Jim McGuire.
Graduate Student Fellowships
The MVZ offers several graduate fellowships per year. MVZ graduate students – including members of affiliated faculty labs who have been granted MVZ student status – who have advanced to candidacy are eligible to apply for these fellowships:
| Annie Alexander Fellowship | Vertebrate ecology, systematics, evolutionary biology |
| Joseph Mailliard Fellowship | Ornithology |
| Junea W. Kelly Fellowship | General vertebrate biology |
| Jerry O. Wolff Fellowship | General vertebrate biology |
Each fellowship covers in-state graduate fees for one semester (Fall or Spring) as well as a stipend and benefits that are equivalent to a 50% GSR (Graduate Student Researcher) position. Students can elect which semester in which to take a fellowship; funding begins on the first day and ends on the last day of the semester.
Typically, a student can receive no more than one fellowship during their graduate career. Applications are reviewed by the MVZ Faculty Curators. Although any student who has advanced to candidacy can apply, priority is generally given to (1) students in the writing phase of their dissertation research and (2) students whose work requires extended field research that precludes employment as a GSI or GSR.
To apply for a fellowship, students must complete an application form and have it endorsed by their major adviser. In addition, the student must prepare a short (less than 2 page) proposal that outlines the research to be conducted during the fellowship. These materials should be submitted to Associate Director Eileen Lacey. The exact deadline varies but is typically in early April of each year.
Research Support for MVZ Graduate Students
Limited funds are available to support research by MVZ graduate students. In recent years, it has been possible to make awards to multiple individuals at a level of $500 to $2000 per request. Graduate students may apply in multiple years and may receive more than one award during their graduate career. If requests exceed available funds, priority will be given to students in the early stages of their graduate studies who are working to generate the preliminary data needed to secure external funding.
The following funding sources are available:
| Albert Preston Hendrickson Fund | Established in 1999 by Joyce Davis for student travel or research needs. |
| David & Marvalee Wake Fund | Supports research and fieldwork in evolutionary biology |
| Louise Kellogg Fund | Established in 1970 to enhance the MVZ collections. |
| Carl B. Koford Memorial Fund | Established in 1980 to support field research on vertebrates. |
| Wilhelm L. F. Martens Fund | Established in 1936 to bring about better conservation and protection of native wildlife in California. |
| Ned Johnson Fund | Also known as the Avian Genetics Fund, supports ornithological research |
To apply for research funds, students must complete an application form and have it endorsed by their major adviser. In addition, the student must prepare a short (less than 2 page) proposal that outlines the research to be conducted. These materials should be submitted to Associate Director Eileen Lacey. The exact deadline varies but is typically in early April of each year.
In some years, if funding permits, a second round of proposals will be considered during the fall semester; in this case, a separate call for funds will be announced early in the fall term.
Conference Costs
MVZ graduate students are eligible to receive up to $500 per year to attend a national or international conference at which they will present a paper or poster.
To request travel funds, students should submit a budget and confirmation of their presentation to Associate Director Eileen Lacey at least 5 working days before leaving for the conference.