Curtis Prairie (Photo: Jeff Miller/UW–Madison)

The Arboretum is soliciting proposals from graduate student researchers for the 2025 Arboretum Research Fellowships. We invite research proposals in all areas relevant to our mission to conserve and restore Arboretum lands, advance restoration ecology, and foster the land ethic. The funding period begins in May 2025.

We invite research proposals in all areas relevant to the Arboretum mission, including the social sciences and humanities. We are particularly interested in restoration ecology, invasive species monitoring and management, stormwater impacts, horticulture, visitor experiences, citizen science, science communication, public engagement, K–12 outdoor education, addressing diversity and inclusion, and the collection and analysis of long-term monitoring data at remnant and restored sites. Proposals may address any of these areas or others that use Arboretum land and other resources. Other scholarly activities may be considered if they align with the Arboretum’s mission and vision.

Arboretum Research Fellowships (three to four awards per year) can include summer stipend, undergraduate research assistants, materials, analyses, or other research needs for up to $8,000. Arboretum Research Fellows must be a master’s or PhD candidate at UW–Madison or another Wisconsin college or university.

The Arboretum Leopold Fellowship (one award, not offered for 2025) includes full support (academic year and summer stipend, equivalent to a 50 percent research assistantship, plus research support) for up to three years. Arboretum Leopold Fellows must be a master’s or PhD candidate at UW–Madison.

Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2025. See Arboretum Research Fellowships for more information and the request for proposals.