Applications are NOW OPEN for 2026 Smith Fellowships!
Smith Fellows 2026: Call for Proposals Announced
The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is pleased to solicit applications for the 2026 David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program. These prestigious, two‑year postdoctoral fellowships support outstanding early‑career scientists who propose innovative, solutions‑oriented research that links conservation science with management and policy across the United States and its five permanently inhabited territories (Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa). Funded by the Cedar Tree Foundation and administered by SCB, the program invests in the next generation of applied conservation leaders whose research directly advances how conservation is practiced in the U.S.
Smith Fellows are selected based on both the strength of their proposed research and their potential as future conservation leaders. The program seeks bold thinkers who can translate science into real‑world impact and thrive within a supportive, peer‑based community. 2026 Smith Fellowships provide an annual salary of $72,100 in 2026 and $74,263 in 2027 (plus benefits), a $40,000 research and travel budget disbursed over two years, and up to 5% overhead to the host institution. A hallmark of the Smith Fellows experience is the extensive professional‑development program: Fellows attend three week‑long, program‑sponsored professional development retreats each year, become part of a vibrant and active alumni community, and receive lifetime membership in the Society for Conservation Biology.
Applicants design their projects with a team of at least two mentors (minimum one academic and one practitioner) who together advise on research design, connect the work to real‑world conservation needs, and support the Fellow’s professional growth and partnerships. At least one of the mentors should have a primary focus on conservation practice and will help connect the Fellow’s research to practical applications and provide insight into the management and policy implications of the work. Fellows may be administratively based at any U.S. academic institution, government agency, or conservation nonprofit, typically where one of their mentors is located or affiliated.
SCB and the Smith Fellows Program believe diversity promotes innovation and is essential to addressing complex conservation challenges, leading to more just, equitable and effective conservation goals. The Smith Fellows Program strongly encourages applications from individuals whose varied backgrounds and perspectives broaden participation in conservation. To learn more about our values and commitments, visit: www.smithfellows.org
Eligibility: Early-career (3 years post-PhD) applicants of any citizenship status are welcome, provided they will be based at a U.S. host institution, their research directly informs conservation practice in the U.S., and the research primarily takes place within the U.S. and its five permanently inhabited territories. The program does not sponsor visas.
Key Dates: Application deadline: 30 September 2025 (11:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time) • Fellowships awarded:early 2026 • Typical Fellowship start window: 1 June – 30 September 2026
Apply Online: Full 2026 Proposal Guidelines are available at smithfellows.org/join‑us, along with other application resources. All components of the proposal package—including reference and mentor letters—must be submitted via the online application portal: apply.smithfellows.org
Questions? Contact program staff at smithinfo@conbio.org
David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Society for Conservation Biology
1133 15th St NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20005 USA Phone 1-202-234-4133 Fax 1-703-995-4633 smithinfo@conbio.org www.smithfellows.org
