Discover Denali Fellowships

To encourage scientific and scholarly research that (1) fills gaps in the ecological or cultural understanding of park

resources or (2) addresses management issues, the NPS and the Denali Education Center established the Discover

Denali Research Fellowship Program through the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC), located in Denali National Park and Preserve. Selected fellows conduct research or scholarship projects to address issues of importance to park managers, and share their research with others through some form of educational outreach.

Fellowship applications will be considered for funding requests up to $8000. Funds may be used over one

or two years.More than one fellow may be selected. The fellowship program supports field research in the

biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences. Project requests are more likely to be successful if they address topics that that will help park managers tackle management issues. Collaborative projects are encouraged.

The fellowship program is designed to provide funding for graduate students, but may also be

appropriate for college and university faculty, undergraduate students, state and federal agency scientists, and private-sector researchers. Research fellows must be self-directed individuals whose work will contribute to the scientific knowledge of the natural and cultural resources of Denali. The fellow must be able to complete the proposed project within one or two years (depending on the funding and timeframe requested) and provide a final report, even if the project is part of a larger thesis project. Recipients may apply for a Research Fellowship in subsequent years, but project proposals will be evaluated independently of the previous year¿s work.

Funds may be used for a variety of purposes including salary support; room, board, and travel directly associated with fieldwork; supplies; and analytical costs. Requests for permanent equipment are not encouraged, but will be considered. Any permanent equipment purchased with fellowship funds remains the property of the National Park Service and will need to be returned to the park at the end of the project. Fellowship funds cannot be used for tuition, fringe benefits, institutional overhead, thesis preparation, publication of results, or costs associated with attendance at professional meetings.