Stengl-Wyer Fellows Program

The Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellowship funds up to four doctoral candidates pursuing dissertation research on biodiversity sciences, 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 Fellowship awardees will receive the following: 

Congratulations, 2026 Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellows!

• Juju Dessert, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Proposal Title: Fungal enzyme adaptation to plant substrates in leafcutter ants
• Daisy Marie Flores, Department of Integrative Biology, Proposal Title: Corals hungry for survival are the key to understanding reef resilience
• Elena Joy Leander, Department of Integrative Biology, Proposal Title: Uncovering mechanisms of resilience: responses of plant–mycorrhizal mutualisms to interacting disturbances
• Brian Stokes, Department of Integrative Biology, Proposal Title: Spatio-temporal responses to climate change among terrestrial avian migrants

Fellowships awarded in 2026 begin September 1, 2026 and end on August 31, 2027.
 

Download the complete list of Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellows

2027 Competition Overview

All 2027 Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellowship awardees will receive a 12-month stipend of $40,000 beginning September 1, 2027 and ending August 31, 2028, 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 2027 Stengl-Wyer Fellowship Competition Request for Applications

Eligibility & Qualifications

Eligible applicants must be in candidacy for a doctoral degree in a CNS graduate program pursuing research on biodiversity sciences at the time of application. Successful applicants should 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 support biological field stations and collections. Applicants must demonstrate a record of intellectual distinction and scholarly achievement, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presentations at national or international scientific meetings, or other comparable accomplishments. Previous Stengl-Wyer Graduate Fellowship recipients are not eligible to apply. The program encourages applications from individuals from all backgrounds with diverse viewpoints.

Application Submission Instructions 

All required application documents listed in the Application Components section of the RFA (except for the Research Advisor Letter of Support) should be combined and uploaded as a single pdf and submitted by the application deadline.

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

1. Visit https://utexas.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/2017864
2. Click the “Apply” button on the Competition Space page.
3. 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.
4. 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, login 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

The applicant’s dissertation research advisor must submit a letter of recommendation 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 recommendation to the Stengl-Wyer Endowment Program via this link: https://utexas.app.box.com/f/b9f6e55a93da476280005dd135be443d 
Reference letters should be submitted as a PDF file using the following file naming convention: ApplicantLastName_ApplicantFirstName_AdvisorLastName_ReferenceLetter

Recommendation letters must be received by the application deadline of October 5, 2026. Letters should remain confidential. Applicant is responsible for communicating submission instructions and deadline to Research Advisors.

Timeline

• Submission window opens: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
• Submission deadline: Monday, October 5, 2026 at 11:59PM Central Time
• Announcement of awardees: Early December 2026
• Award start date: September 1, 2027

• Award end date: August 31, 2028

   

Contact Information

Program questions should be directed to the Biodiversity Center’s Stengl-Wyer Programs team: swe@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 2027 Stengl-Wyer Scholars Competition and awards.