The University of Wyoming Graduate Scholarship 2027 offers an exciting fully funded PhD opportunity in the United States for eligible international students interested in wildlife ecology, avian ecology, and conservation research. The Graduate Research Assistantship offers an annual stipend of $29,016, along with tuition support and health insurance. The position is based in the Chalfoun Lab within the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Department of Zoology and Physiology. The research will examine forest songbird demography across different habitat treatments in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, combining long-term datasets with field research.
University of Wyoming Graduate Scholarship 2027 – Key Details
- Host Country: United States
- University: University of Wyoming
- Study Level: PhD / Doctoral
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Funding: Fully Funded Graduate Research Assistantship
- Annual Stipend: $29,016
- Benefits: Tuition support + health insurance + stipend
- Research Area: Wildlife Biology, Avian Ecology, Ecology and Conservation
- Study Location: Laramie, Wyoming, USA
- Start Date: Fall 2027 or earlier
- Application Deadline: November 20, 2026
Note: University of Wyoming graduate assistantship packages can vary by department and position. The university states that graduate assistantships may include stipends, tuition/fee reductions, and student health insurance.
About the University of Wyoming Graduate Scholarship
This PhD opportunity is offered through the Chalfoun Lab, led by Dr. Anna Chalfoun, within the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Department of Zoology and Physiology.
Dr. Chalfoun’s research focuses on ecology, evolution, wildlife behavior, habitat relationships, and conservation biology, with particular interest in birds and other wildlife.
The doctoral student will also become part of the University of Wyoming’s Program in Ecology and Evolution and the WYOBIRD initiative.
The research project focuses on understanding how the demography of forest songbirds in the southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem responds to different habitat treatments, including:
- Prescribed fire
- Wildfire
- Forest thinning
The project will use several years of existing survey and bird-monitoring data while also involving extensive fieldwork.
Research Responsibilities
The selected PhD student will contribute to both data analysis and field research. Activities may include:
- Conducting bird surveys
- Capturing and safely handling birds
- Bird banding
- Searching for and monitoring nests
- Monitoring focal bird species
- Measuring habitat characteristics
- Analyzing long-term ecological datasets
- Publishing research findings
- Presenting research at conferences and to project partners
The position is particularly suited to applicants interested in avian ecology, wildlife conservation, forest ecology, and quantitative ecological research.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Biology, Ecology, or a related field.
- Relevant field research experience.
- Minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA for undergraduate studies and, where applicable, a master’s degree.
- Strong interest in avian ecology, wildlife conservation, and ecological research.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Strong work ethic and professional communication skills.
- Commitment to an inclusive and respectful research environment.
- Willingness to publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present findings.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability and willingness to hike across steep and varied terrain.
Highly Desirable Qualifications
The following qualifications may strengthen an application:
- Master’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Biology, Ecology, or a related discipline.
- Strong quantitative and statistical analysis skills.
- Peer-reviewed scientific publication experience.
- Experience capturing, safely handling, and banding small birds.
- Strong scientific and technical writing skills.
Scholarship Benefits
The University of Wyoming Graduate Research Assistantship provides financial support for the selected doctoral student.
Annual Stipend
The advertised opportunity provides an annual stipend of $29,016, equivalent to approximately $2,418 per month when divided across 12 months.
Tuition Support
Graduate assistantships at the University of Wyoming may include tuition and mandatory fee support. The university notes that the exact tuition and fee coverage can depend on the assistantship and funding source.
Health Insurance
Eligible graduate assistants can receive university student health insurance support as part of the assistantship package.
Research Experience
The selected student will gain hands-on experience in wildlife monitoring, field ecology, quantitative research, scientific communication, and conservation research.
Academic and Professional Development
The position provides opportunities to work within a research laboratory, collaborate with project partners, publish scientific findings, and present research at conferences.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the documents required for the relevant University of Wyoming graduate application and research position. These may include:
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Statement of purpose or research statement
- Contact information for references
- Letters of recommendation, where required
- Evidence of relevant research experience
- Writing sample or publications, if requested
- English-language documentation for international applicants, where applicable
- Any additional documents requested by the graduate program or faculty supervisor
Applicants should carefully check the specific requirements for the doctoral program and assistantship before submitting their application.
English Language Requirement
International applicants should check the University of Wyoming’s current English-language proficiency requirements and any applicable exemptions.
The statement “No IELTS Required” should not be treated as a universal waiver for all international applicants. English requirements can vary according to the applicant’s educational background and program. Applicants should confirm the applicable requirement with University of Wyoming Graduate Admissions.
How to Apply for the University of Wyoming Graduate Scholarship 2027
Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the University of Wyoming official website.
- Review the doctoral program requirements related to Ecology, Evolution, Zoology, or Wildlife Biology.
- Review the Chalfoun Lab and the advertised Graduate Research Assistantship opportunity.
- Prepare your CV, academic transcripts, research statement, and other required documents.
- Highlight relevant experience in avian ecology, wildlife research, fieldwork, statistics, or conservation.
- Submit your graduate admission application according to the University of Wyoming requirements.
- Follow any specific instructions provided for the Graduate Research Assistantship.
- Contact the relevant faculty member or research group if required.
- Submit all materials before the November 20, 2026 deadline.
The University of Wyoming explains that graduate assistantships are generally selected by departments or faculty, and applicants should check directly with the relevant program regarding available positions.
Research Environment at the University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming provides graduate students with opportunities to participate in research across more than 80 graduate programs. Its graduate assistantships can support students through stipends and, depending on the position, tuition and health insurance benefits.
The Chalfoun Lab specifically works at the intersection of ecology, evolution, behavior, habitat relationships, and wildlife conservation, making the position relevant to students pursuing careers in academic research, wildlife management, and conservation science.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the advertised University of Wyoming Graduate Research Assistantship is:
November 20, 2026
Applicants should prepare their documents well in advance and verify all admission and assistantship requirements before submitting their application.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be relevant to applicants who:
- Want to pursue a PhD in wildlife or ecological sciences.
- Have an academic background in biology, ecology, or wildlife biology.
- Are interested in bird ecology and conservation.
- Have previous field research experience.
- Enjoy outdoor fieldwork and ecological monitoring.
- Want to develop quantitative and scientific research skills.
- Are interested in studying forest songbirds and habitat management.
Apply Now
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the University of Wyoming Graduate Scholarship 2027?
It is a funded doctoral Graduate Research Assistantship opportunity at the University of Wyoming for research related to forest songbird demography, avian ecology, and wildlife conservation.
2. Who can apply for this PhD opportunity?
The opportunity is open to eligible applicants who meet the academic and research requirements. The provided scholarship information lists all countries as eligible.
3. What is the annual stipend?
The advertised position provides an annual stipend of $29,016.
4. Does the scholarship cover tuition?
The Graduate Research Assistantship includes tuition support according to the advertised funding package. University of Wyoming states that graduate assistantships can include tuition and fee reductions, although coverage depends on the specific assistantship.
5. Does the scholarship provide health insurance?
Yes. The advertised assistantship includes health insurance, and the University of Wyoming confirms that health insurance support is part of eligible graduate assistantship funding.
6. What field will the PhD research focus on?
The research focuses on forest songbird demography, avian ecology, wildlife conservation, and habitat management in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
7. What fieldwork will the student conduct?
Field activities may include bird surveys, bird capture and banding, nest searching and monitoring, focal-species monitoring, and habitat measurements.
8. Is a Master’s degree required?
A Master’s degree is listed as a highly desirable qualification, rather than a basic requirement in the eligibility information provided.
9. Is a 3.0 GPA required?
Applicants are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 for undergraduate studies and, where applicable, master’s-level studies.
10. Is IELTS required?
There is no separate IELTS requirement stated specifically for the scholarship. However, international applicants should check the University of Wyoming’s applicable English-language requirements and possible exemptions.
11. When does the PhD position begin?
The position is expected to begin in Fall 2027 or earlier, depending on the selected applicant and arrangements with the research group.
12. What is the application deadline?
The stated deadline is November 20, 2026.
