Fellowship in Plant Conservation Biology

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s Fellowship in Plant Conservation Biology is a distinguished opportunity intended to support early-career practitioners, scholars, or scientists focused on plant and landscape conservation. Each year, the Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) awards this Fellowship to one outstanding individual whose work demonstrates significant promise in advancing the conservation of plants and the ecosystems in which they exist. The Foundation, based on the historic Oak Spring estate in Upperville, Virginia, honors the legacy of Rachel "Bunny" Lambert Mellon and fosters projects that align with its mission of perpetuating knowledge and appreciation for plant science, horticulture, and landscape stewardship. The selected Fellow will be granted a $10,000 individual award to support a 2–5 week residency at the Oak Spring estate. This residency is designed to provide a focused, distraction-free environment where the Fellow can engage in intensive independent writing or research. While staying at OSGF, the Fellow has access to the foundation’s 700-acre sustainably managed landscape, a rare botanical art and book library comprising over 19,000 objects, and opportunities to engage with OSGF staff and other Interdisciplinary Residents or Fellows. Although participation in communal meals, field trips, or volunteer activities is optional, these experiences offer valuable avenues for collaboration and exchange. Applicants must be early-career individuals not enrolled in an undergraduate program during 2027. They should demonstrate a deep commitment to plant conservation, the capacity to work independently, and a clear rationale for how the residency will further their professional or academic goals. Individuals working on species native to the local Virginia region are especially encouraged to apply. The Foundation explicitly welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and maintains a commitment to inclusion regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other personal characteristics. The application process is consolidated across all OSGF Residency and Fellowship opportunities and will open on February 14, 2026, closing on May 31, 2026. Applicants must submit a two-page CV, a 200–300 word statement detailing their current plant conservation work, another 200–300 word statement explaining how their work aligns with OSGF’s mission, and a 200–300 word description of how they plan to use their time during the residency. Importantly, applicants are also asked whether they would like to be considered for the Interdisciplinary Residency if not selected for the Fellowship. Awardees must coordinate their residency to coincide with other scheduled 2027 programs, ensuring overlap with other residents for potential collaboration. The entry dates for 2027 include March 1, April 25 (for up to 3 weeks), May 24, July 12, August 29 (for up to 3 weeks), and October 4. Fellows will be provided private accommodations within shared living quarters and ground transportation from Dulles International Airport to the estate. Final selections are made via a multi-phase evaluation process that includes OSGF staff, alumni, and external jurors, all of whom assess the alignment of applicants’ work with OSGF’s mission, the strength of their project proposals, and the demonstrated potential for future impact. While presentation of the Fellow's work during the residency is encouraged, it is not mandatory. The Fellowship does not require a cost share or matching contribution from the applicant.