David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship

The David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program was founded in 1998 with a vision to bridge the gap between conservation science and practice by investing in the next generation of applied conservation leaders. The Smith Fellowship offers a prestigious full-time, two-year postdoctoral opportunity for early-career scientists to pursue innovative, solutions-oriented research addressing pressing conservation challenges in the United States and its five permanently-inhabited territories. The program is grounded in the belief that science can more effectively inform conservation outcomes when integrated with practical, on-the-ground needs and real-world partnerships. Each year, Smith Fellows are selected based on demonstrated research excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to applied conservation. Fellows receive two years of salary and research support, along with structured mentorship, training retreats, and membership in a vibrant network of Smith Fellows alumni spanning academic, governmental, and nonprofit sectors. A defining feature of the program is the requirement for each Fellow to work closely with a team of mentors - at least one academic and one practitioner mentor - who support the Fellow's scientific and professional development and ensure the research is meaningfully connected to conservation practice. The core scientific focus is on innovative, applied conservation research that directly informs and improves real-world conservation outcomes. Fellows are expected to design and lead projects that address urgent ecological challenges through methods such as field experimentation, applied modeling, synthesis, and/or incorporation of social science approaches. All proposals must clearly articulate how the research will be applied through collaboration with conservation practitioners, policymakers, or communities. The Smith Fellowship is structured to provide professional and leadership development, as well as opportunities to form relationships with leaders across the conservation sector. Fellows participate in three week-long professional development retreats annually, focused on collaboration and skill-building in science communication, policy engagement, leadership development, and site-based conservation work.