The International Graduate Student Fellowship Program at the Museum's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation

Introduction

This program provides an opportunity for non U.S. citizens to study a diversified curriculum in biodiversity, conservation, systematics, and public policy. Students are able to choose among the numerous offerings of four major universities to create a graduate program from which they will bring an interdisciplinary mix of skills and experience to bear on the environmental problems of their countries.

Students are part of a joint Museum-university program offering the Ph.D. degree. Under the direction of a Museum curator or other staff member, students will attend classes at both the Museum and their chosen university.

Support

The fellowship will provide travel assistance, stipend support for 12 months, and tuition. Support is for 4 years, renewable annually providing the student remains in good standing.

Eligibility

This program is open to non U.S. citizens. Applications are particularly encouraged from students in developing nations. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and be able to fulfill university admission requirements which will include TOEFL and Graduate Record Examinations.

Contact

Applicants should first contact the Office of Grants and Fellowships to discuss their interests, background and eligibility for the Program. This Program is not open to candidates for the Master's Degree.

Application Procedure

Students must simultaneously apply to the Museum AND to one of 4 cooperating universities depending on field of study.

Application to the Museum is on prescribed forms and includes:

1. A resume or curriculum vitae including academic background, work experience, previous awards, grants or fellowships, and a list of any publications.
2. Official statement of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
3. Official TOEFL score.
4. Official undergraduate transcripts from all institutions attended.
5. Official graduate transcripts, if beyond first semester of graduate work.
6. A statement of purpose (see below).
7. Letters of recommendation from two persons (including your major professor), who are familiar with you and your academic and research background.

A detailed Statement of Purpose (limited to two pages) for undertaking graduate work is an essential part of the application for this program. The statement should include the applicant's

1. purpose in undertaking graduate work.
2. an explanation of the applicant's study and research interests and their relation to his or her undergraduate study and professional goals.

Application to one of the universities listed below should be made based on field of interest and submitted by the university's deadline date. Students should contact the university to request application forms for the Ph.D. program in the appropriate field of study, and to ascertain the university deadline date.

Evolutionary Biology: Office of Admissions, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 33 West 42 Street, New York, NY 10036-8099. E-mail: jreid1@email.gc.cuny.edu. Applications must be received by April 15, 2000.

Evolutionary Biology: Office of Student Affairs, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Columbia University, Center for Environmental Research and Conservation, 10th Floor, Schermer Horn Extension, Mail Code 5557, 1200 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027-6902. E-mail: ref8@columbia.edu. Applications must be received by January 3, 2000.

Molecular Biology/Systematics: Graduate Admissions, Yale University, P.O. Box 208323, New Haven, CT 06520-8323. E- mail: graduate.admissions@yale.edu. Applications must be received by January 4, 2000.

Entomology: Office of Admissions, The Graduate School, Cornell University, Sage Graduate Center, Ithaca, NY 14853-6201. Applications must be received by January 15, 2000.