GCA Fellowship in Ecological Restoration
Offered by Garden Club of America
About This Scholarship
The Garden Club of America's Fellowship in Ecological Restoration awards an $8,000 grant each year to an exceptional graduate student studying the active healing of damaged land. Established in 2000 with funds from the John B. Young Charitable Trust, the fellowship aims to grow the number of scientists working in ecological restoration, with applications reviewed by a panel of experts associated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, the birthplace of the field.
The fellowship is deliberately degree-agnostic: past recipients have come from forestry, applied plant sciences, and ecology and evolutionary biology programs. What matters is the research itself, which should fit the Society for Ecological Restoration's definition of the discipline, with preference for projects that include field research conducted in the United States.
The application is a classic research-grant package rather than a web form: a five-page proposal, a one-page budget, a resume, and a cover sheet emailed as a single PDF, plus two letters, including an endorsement from your graduate advisor confirming enrollment. It is one of 30 merit-based awards in the GCA's scholarship program, which gave over $600,000 to 130 scholars in 2026, and applicants may apply to only one GCA award per year.
Eligibility
- Graduate student currently and actively enrolled at an accredited U.S. university
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident (GCA cannot fund international applicants)
- Research in ecological restoration as defined by the Society for Ecological Restoration; any degree program qualifies
- Preference for projects with field research conducted in the United States
- May apply to only one GCA scholarship, fellowship, or award per year
How To Apply
- Prepare a one-page cover sheet, a research proposal of no more than five single-spaced pages, a one-page budget, and a resume of up to two pages
- Combine the four documents into a single PDF and email it to the program's associate director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum with the subject line "The GCA fellowship application"
- Arrange a letter of endorsement from your graduate faculty advisor (confirming enrollment) and one additional recommendation letter, emailed directly by their authors
- All materials and letters must be emailed no later than December 31; selection is completed in early March
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as ecological restoration?
The GCA uses the Society for Ecological Restoration's definition, and past fellows have come from forestry, applied plant sciences, and ecology and evolutionary biology programs. The focus is research that advances the active healing of land.
Can my budget exceed the $8,000 award?
Yes, but your one-page budget must then state specifically which items you are asking the GCA to fund.
Can I also apply to other Garden Club of America scholarships?
No. The GCA allows applicants to apply for only one of its scholarships, fellowships, or awards per year, so choose the program that best fits your research.