Conservation Scholarships
Interested In A Career In Conservation?
The AGFC Conservation Scholarship Program encourages young people to pursue careers in fish and wildlife management, natural resources, and education. These career opportunities include jobs in wildlife law enforcement, fisheries management, wildlife management, nongame specialists, environmental education, and various related fields.
The AGFC Scholarship Program is made possible by sales of conservation license plates.
Graduate Scholarships
Applications for the 2024 Graduate Fellowship RFP have been closed.
2024 Graduate Fellowship RFP
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is pleased to announce a two-year $40,000 fellowship program available to support two thesis-based graduate research projects ($20,000 per student, per year) that align with its mission to conserve and enhance Arkansas’s fish and wildlife and their habitats while promoting sustainable use, public understanding, and support.
Arkansas’s people are as diverse as its fisheries, wildlife, and their ecosystems. Delivering the best this state offers to Arkansans and its visitors requires nothing less than the most talented, impactful, and dedicated individuals. This fellowship seeks to fund graduate research projects that align with agency priorities, create opportunities for professional development and mentorship to graduate students, and cultivate stronger partnerships between AGFC and academic institutions throughout the state.
Research projects will be selected based on their demonstrated need, conservation of Arkansas’s natural resources and contributions to its people. The funding is available for up to two graduate research projects, with each project’s funds not to exceed two years. The funding can be used to help cover a graduate student stipend, summer funding, conference or workshop travel, and other professional developmental trainings.
Fellowships are funded by the sales from the AGFC Conservation License Plate fund.
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
- 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
- Timeline – Include the proposed timeline for completion of the
- Preliminary Budget – Detail how the fellowship funding would be used to support the graduate
- 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 that may partner on the development of this This may include a preferred partner within AGFC, by Division name.
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 2024-2025 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 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.
Applicant Webinar: September 17, 2024 at 1 p.m.
Application Period: September 3, 2024 – October 31, 2024
Application Deadline: October 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Award Notification: No later than December 15, 2024
Submission: Completed proposals can be submitted prior to October 31, 2024 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 December 15, 2024.
Here is a summary of some project priorities by agency Division that can help with developing of a project proposal.
Private Lands Habitat Division
Private lands in Arkansas provide unique opportunities for management of priority wildlife species that include those species which are important to landowners, SGCN, threatened/endangered species and other species of concern. The Private Lands Habitat Division has identified three research priorities that will increase the effectiveness of management on private lands for these priority species.
(1) Assess the effectiveness of habitat management on private lands intentionally managed for wildlife in Arkansas, with comparisons to reference landscape conditions.
(2) Predict landscape connectivity impact on northern bobwhite (density, presence, population viability) in Arkansas, and identify the most connected landscapes across the state.
(3) Predict and/or assess the impact of private lands habitat management carried out through existing private lands programs on priority bird communities.
Environmental Coordination Division
AGFC’s Environmental Coordination Division (ECD) utilizes federal, state, and local laws to protect natural resources and uphold our obligations under Amendment 35 of the Arkansas State Constitution. ECD works to foster understanding of the complex relationship between development actions and environmental impacts, including how to avoid and mitigate those impacts. ECD provides environmental policy and regulation analysis to AGFC staff, regulatory agencies, and the public to ensure that natural resources and the ecosystems they support are maintained for future generations while providing for the needs of people today. We work with a broad spectrum of institutions and individuals to incorporate science, engineering and resource management practices to meet our society’s ecologic, cultural and economic needs.
The laws, policies and regulations are growing in importance as global warming and imperiled freshwater supplies take their toll in Arkansas and around the world. Solutions can only come through a new generation of informed, purpose driven actions. ECD seeks to find harmony between law and policy, science and engineering to develop resource management solutions that will address these global issues. The scope of the projects that ECD reviews make the division a unique vehicle for legal and policy thinking, one that looks beyond the abstract to consider the nuts and bolts of how to make good decisions in time for them to matter.
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 fund 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. There will also be a live webinar on September 17 at 1PM that will go over the proposal requirements, providing an opportunity for any questions to be answered in real-time.
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)
- Conservation Biology
- Criminal Justice
- Environmental Management and Regulatory Science
- Fisheries Science
- Forestry
- Park and Recreation Administration (emphasis in Natural Resources)
- Science Education
- 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.
How will each proposal be evaluated?
Each proposal will be reviewed by an agency-appointed Evaluation Committee, and scored based on the presented Scoring Descriptions.
| Quality Rating | Description | Quality of Response |
| 5 | When considered in relation to the RFP evaluation factor, the proposal squarely meets the requirement and
exhibits outstanding knowledge, creativity, ability or other exceptional characteristics. Extremely strong. |
Excellent |
| 4 | When considered in relation to the RFP evaluation factor, the proposal squarely meets the requirement and is better than merely acceptable. | Good |
| 3 | When considered in relation to the RFP evaluation factor, the proposal is of acceptable quality. | Acceptable |
| 2 | When considered in relation to the RFP evaluation factor, the
proposal’s acceptability is doubtful. |
Marginal |
| 1 | When considered in relation to the RFP evaluation factor, the proposal is poor. | Poor |
| 0 | When considered in relation to the RFP evaluation factor, the proposal clearly does not meet the
requirement, either because it was left blank or because the proposal is unresponsive. |
Unacceptable |
Each proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria and weighted as shown below.
| Criteria | Points Possible | Weighting |
| Ability to complete the project during the specified timeframe | 10 | 10% |
| Budget outline including
Indirect Costs |
10 | 10% |
| Qualifications and resources of the project leader and supporting organization | 5 | 5% |
| Soundness of project design and methodology | 25 | 25% |
| Ability of the proposal to align with the mission of the AGFC and priorities of the Natural State Tomorrow Strategic Plan, and remain within the scope of this RFP | 25 | 25% |
| Regional or statewide applicability to Arkansas | 10 | 10% |
| Agreement to provide annual report of project progress and public presentation at project completion | 5 | 5% |
| Agreement to participate in quarterly progress meetings with AGFC staff | 10 | 10% |
Undergraduate Scholarships
Applications for 2024 Undergraduate Scholarships have been closed.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is pleased to announce that its new AGFC Undergraduate Scholarship Program is now open for applications.
In an effort to better prepare students entering their chosen career field as well as those planning to pursue further education in graduate school, this enhanced and progressive program will provide higher valued scholarships and rich training opportunities through paired agency mentors, volunteer time, and valuable AGFC internship experiences.
The AGFC Conservation Scholarship Program encourages students to pursue careers in fish and wildlife management, natural resources, and education. These career opportunities can include jobs in wildlife law enforcement, fisheries management, wildlife management, environmental education, and related fields.
The AGFC Conservation Scholarship Program is funded by proceeds from the sale of AGFC Conservation License Plates in Arkansas.
As this is a change from the prior Scholarship program, current scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to re-apply at the previously determined amounts without the volunteer or internship requirements:
- Incoming Juniors: $3,000 ($1,500 a semester)
- Incoming Seniors: $3,000 ($1,500 a semester)
Scholarship funds will be issued to the academic institution directly on or before the following dates:
- July 15, 2025 -Fall semester funds issued
- January 15, 2026 – Spring semester funds issued
Application and Scholarship Requirements
- To re-apply the student must submit a transcript that reflects a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- The student must be enrolled in the upcoming semester at an Arkansas college or university, and be considered a resident of the state of Arkansas.
- The student must have a declared major that aligns with the accepted degree/major list below:
- 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
- Zoology
Current scholarship recipients also have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship offered through the newly revamped program. The requirements to apply and maintain the scholarship are detailed in the dropdown sections respective to the academic year they are entering in Fall 2025.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, there will be 4 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:
- July 15, 2025 -Fall semester funds issued
- January 15, 2026 – 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.
To apply for a scholarship, applications can be submitted through Kaleidoscope. Application materials should include a current curriculum vitae (CV), an unofficial transcript reflecting a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and 300+ word essay, and be submitted prior to December 31, 2024 at 11:59PM.
The essay prompt is to answer “What does natural resource conservation mean to you?” The essay should be no less than 300 words.
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Applicants chosen for a second round of scholarship consideration will be asked to submit a 2-3 minute video that answers the following questions:
Question 1: How have your past experiences and education led you to the education path that you are on?
Question 2: What is one natural resource topic that interests you and why?
Question 3: How do you plan to use your education, skills and experiences to help manage, preserve, and/or restore natural resources in the future?
Video submissions will be submitted through Kaleidoscope in a link sent to the finalist. Notifications for this round will be made by February 1, 2025 and the video submissions will be due by February 15, 2025.
After the fall semester, students are required to submit an unofficial transcript and verification of their declared major by December 20, 2025, to maintain their scholarship status.
Each scholarship recipient will be paired with an AGFC employee mentor. The mentor will assist the scholarship recipient with all required tasks.
Scholarship recipients will be expected to volunteer 40 hours with AGFC. Volunteer hours must be conducted with at least 4 different AGFC Divisions, with a minimum of 4 volunteer hours with each AGFC Division. Volunteer time will be based on the student’s interests. The volunteer time frame is August 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026. Following the completion of the academic year, scholarship recipients may be asked to give a year-end presentation(s) about their experience as part of the Scholarship program, to agency staff or Commissioners.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, there will be 4 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:
- July 15, 2025 -Fall semester funds issued
- January 15, 2026 – 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.
To apply for a scholarship, applications can be submitted through Kaleidoscope. Application materials should include a current curriculum vitae (CV), an unofficial transcript reflecting a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and a 300+ word essay, and be submitted prior to December 31, 2024 at 11:59PM.
The essay prompt is to answer “What does natural resource conservation mean to you?” The essay should be no less than 300 words.
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Applicants chosen for a second round of scholarship consideration will be asked to submit a 2-3 minute video that answers the following questions:
Question 1: How have your past experiences and education led you to the education path that you are on?
Question 2: What is one natural resource topic that interests you and why?
Question 3: How do you plan to use your education, skills and experiences to help manage, preserve, and/or restore natural resources in the future?
Video submissions will be submitted through Kaleidoscope in a link sent to the finalist. Notifications for this round will be made by February 1, 2025 and the video submissions will be due by February 15, 2025.
After the fall semester, students are required to submit an unofficial transcript and verification of their declared major by December 20, 2025, to maintain their scholarship status.
Each scholarship recipient will be paired with an AGFC employee mentor. The mentor will assist the scholarship recipient with all required tasks.
Scholarship recipients will be expected to volunteer 40 hours with AGFC. Volunteer hours must be conducted with at least 4 different AGFC Divisions, with a minimum of 4 volunteer hours is required with each AGFC Division. Volunteer time will be based on the student’s interests. The volunteer time frame is May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026. Following the completion of the academic year, scholarship recipients may be asked to give a year-end presentation(s) about their experience as part of the Scholarship program, to agency staff or Commissioners.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, there will be 4 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:
- July 15, 2024 -Fall semester funds issued
- January 15, 2025 – 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.
To apply for a scholarship, applications can be submitted through Kaleidoscope. Application materials should include a current curriculum vitae (CV), an unofficial transcript reflecting a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and a 300+ word essay, and be submitted prior to December 31, 2024 at 11:59PM.
The essay prompt is to answer “What does natural resource conservation mean to you?” The essay should be no less than 300 words.
Applications can be reviewed by a selection committee. Applicants chosen for a second round of scholarship consideration will be asked to submit a 2-3 minute video that answers the following questions:
Question 1: How have your past experiences and education led you to the education path that you are on?
Question 2: What is one natural resource topic that interests you and why?
Question 3: How do you plan to use your education, skills and experiences to help manage, preserve, and/or restore natural resources in the future?
Video submissions will be submitted through Kaleidoscope in a link sent to the finalist. Notifications for this round will be made by February 1, 2025 and the video submissions will be due by February 15, 2025.
After the fall semester, students are required to submit an unofficial transcript and verification of their declared major by December 20, 2025, to maintain their scholarship status.
Each scholarship recipient will be paired with an AGFC employee mentor. The mentor will assist the scholarship recipient with all required tasks.
Each scholarship recipient must complete a 400-hour paid internship with AGFC. Internship hours will be conducted with at least 4 different AGFC Divisions. A minimum of 8 internship hours is required with each selected AGFC Division. The internship time frame: May 19, 2025, to April 30, 2026. The Internship hourly rate will be $15.00 per hour. Following the completion of the academic year, scholarship recipients may be asked to give a year-end presentation(s) about their experience as part of the Scholarship program, to agency staff or Commissioners.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, there will be 4 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:
- July 15, 2025 -Fall semester funds issued
- January 15, 2026 – 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.
Each scholarship recipient must complete a 400-hour paid internship with AGFC. The internship time frame: May 19, 2025, to April 30, 2026. The Internship hourly rate will be $15.00 per hour.
After the fall semester, students are required to submit an unofficial transcript and verification of their declared major by December 20, 2025, to maintain their scholarship status.
Each scholarship recipient will be paired with an AGFC employee mentor. The mentor will assist the scholarship recipient with all required tasks.
Applicants may be asked to give a year-end presentation(s) about their experience as part of the Scholarship program, to agency staff or Commissioners.
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, and expected to complete volunteer and internship 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.
To apply for a scholarship, applications can be submitted through Kaleidoscope. Application materials should include a current curriculum vitae (CV), an unofficial transcript reflecting a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and a 300+ word essay, and be submitted prior to December 31, 2024 at 11:59PM.
The essay prompt is to answer “What does natural resource conservation mean to you?” The essay should be no less than 300 words.
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Applicants chosen for a second round of scholarship consideration will be asked to submit a 2-3 minute video that answers the following questions:
Question 1: How have your past experiences and education led you to the education path that you are on?
Question 2: What is one natural resource topic that interests you and why?
Question 3: How do you plan to use your education, skills and experiences to help manage, preserve, and/or restore natural resources in the future?
Video submissions will be submitted through Kaleidoscope in a link sent to the finalist. Notifications for this round will be made by February 1, 2025 and the video submissions will be due by February 15, 2025.
Please see the below timeline for submission and notification deadlines.
- Application Period: November 15, 2024 – December 31, 2024
- Applicant Webinar: December 3, 2024 at 6PM
- Application Deadline: December 31, 2024 at 11:59PM
- *Phase 1 Applicant Evaluation Period: January 1, 2025 to January 31, 2025
- *Phase 2 Video Invitation Notification: February 1, 2025
- Video Presentation Submission Deadline: February 15, 2025
- Phase 2 Applicant Review: February 16, 2025 to February 28, 2025
- Award Notification: March 3, 2025
- Scholarship Acceptance Deadline: March 15, 2025
*Applicants will first be reviewed by a committee based on application materials (Phase 1). Applicants selected for the second round of review (Phase 2) will be notified by email and invited to submit a 2-3 minute video that answers the following questions:
Question 1: How have your past experiences and education led you to the education path that you are on?
Question 2: What is one natural resource topic that interests you and why?
Question 3: How do you plan to use your education, skills and experiences to help manage, preserve, and/or restore natural resources in the future?
Video submissions will be evaluated based on conciseness, responses to question prompts, clarity of ideas, and presentation design.
For any further questions, please email scholarships@agfc.ar.gov.