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Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellowships

Funding for doctoral candidates pursuing dissertation research on the diversity of life and organisms in their natural environments, across many disciplines.

The 2025 Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellowship competition is now closed.

 

Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellowships Program

Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellowships support doctoral candidates pursuing dissertation research on the diversity of life and organisms in their natural environments across many disciplines within the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) including ecology, evolution, molecular and cellular biology, plant biology, neuroscience, marine science, and other relevant areas. Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellows receive:

  • A 12-month stipend

  • Full tuition and fees for a one-year appointment

  • Health insurance

  • An allowance for research and travel expenses

2025 Competition Overview

All 2025 Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellowship recipients will receive a 12-month stipend of $40,000 beginning September 1, 2025 and ending August 31, 2026, along with full tuition and fees for the one-year appointment, health insurance, and a $2,000 allowance for research and travel expenses.

Download the 2025 Stengl-Wyer Fellowship Competition Request for Applications

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be in candidacy for a doctoral degree in a CNS graduate program pursuing research on the diversity of life and organisms in their natural environments at the time of application. Applicants must demonstrate a record of intellectual distinction and evidence of scholarly achievement, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presentations at national or international scientific meetings, or other comparable achievements. Successful applicants should also demonstrate independence and creativity in their proposed research projects. Applications that advance research within the Texas Field Station Network or UT Biodiversity Collections are highly encouraged given the Stengl-Wyer Endowment’s mission to explore the diversity of life and organisms in their natural environments. CNS encourages applications from individuals from all backgrounds with diverse viewpoints.

Application Submission Instructions 

All required application components listed in the RFA should be combined and uploaded as a single pdf and submitted by the application deadline. Download the RFA for the complete list of application components, instructions for reference letters, and review criteria.

Applications must be submitted through Competition Space, UT’s online submission interface. To apply: 

  1. Visit https://utexas.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1945457
  2. This will take you to a login screen. External applicants should create an interface account by clicking the “Register” button toward the bottom of the page. Follow the instructions to create an account. Applicants with an existing UT EID and password should login using the “University of Texas Web Login” button.
  3. You will be taken to an online application form. Complete the form and upload the required application components. Click “Submit Application” at the bottom of the page. You also have the option to save a draft and return later to submit your application.

Note: If this is your first time submitting a proposal through the proposal submission website, you will first need to affiliate yourself with the College before you can submit. To do this, log in with your EID and password, then click on the “Hello, [Name]” link at the top right of the website. This will take you to your user profile. In your user profile, under “Primary School or Department,” select “Natural Sciences, College of” and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Save Changes button. You will now be able to apply.

Instructions for Research Advisor Letter of Support

(Instructions have changed for 2025)

The applicant’s dissertation research advisor must submit a letter of support addressing: 

  • the applicant’s accomplishments, potential for development as an independent scientist, creativity and drive, and their capacity to anticipate and address challenges  
  • how the proposed project is distinct from the current projects and long-term research program of the research advisor’s lab 
  • the applicant’s estimated defense and graduation timeline 

Research advisors should submit letters of support directly to the Stengl-Wyer Endowment Program via email to Letters.hd0tx93deiu24cwi@u.box.com which will automatically upload the letter to a confidential folder. Reference letters should be submitted as a PDF file using the following file naming convention: ApplicantLastName_ApplicantFirstName_ResearchAdvisorLastName_LOS 

 Letters of support must be received by the application deadline. Letters of support should remain confidential, and the applicant must not be copied on this email. Applicant is responsible for communicating submission instructions and deadline to Research Advisors. 

Timeline

Submission window opens: September 3, 2024

Submission deadline: October 7, 2024 at 5:00 PM CT

Announcement of awardees: Late November/Early December 2024

Award start date: September 1, 2025

Award end date: August 31, 2026

Contact Information

STENGL-WYER FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION

Program questions should be directed to the Stengl-Wyer Endowment Program Directors: swe@austin.utexas.edu

Application submission interface questions should be directed to CNS Strategic Research Initiatives: CNS_SRI@austin.utexas.edu

The form and timing of Stengl-Wyer Scholars awards is subject to change in subsequent years. The content of this announcement is relevant only for the 2025 Stengl-Wyer Scholars Competition and awards.

Congratulations, 2024 Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellows!

  • Damla Cinoglu, Department of Integrative Biology, Proposal Title: Plant defenses against insect herbivores along tropical forest succession
  • Keri Greig, Department of Integrative Biology, Proposal Title: The impact of global change on fungal endosymbiont communities in Texas grasslands
  • Emily Lessig, Department of Integrative Biology, Proposal Title: The neuromolecular mechanisms underlying resilience to environmental variability in a Texas native fish
  • Hannah Rempel, Department of Marine Science, Proposal Title: Evaluating the critical roles of omnivorous reef fishes across gradients of habitat degradation

All fellowships will begin 09/01/24 and end on 08/31/25.

Download the complete list of Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellows