Smith Fellows
What is a Smith Fellowship?

The David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program seeks to develop future world leaders and entrepreneurs who are successful at linking conservation science and application. Smith Fellowships provide two years of postdoctoral support to outstanding early-career scientists. 

Interim Values Statement:

The Smith Fellows Program values respect and dignity for all. The Smith Fellows Program recognizes that the advancement and excellence of conservation biology is intertwined with and relies on a commitment to greater access and inclusion of humans of many views, vantage points, identities, lived experiences, and geographies who actively participate in conservation with equal opportunity and access at all levels of the Program’s structure. As a Program and community, the Smith Fellows Program welcomes diversity of all types and prioritizes equity, inclusion, and belonging. Likewise, as an entity promoting an evidence-based approach, we recognize and embrace multiple ways of knowing, including traditional ecological knowledge, community science, local knowledge, and Western science.

Interim Code of Coduct:

The David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship program works to promote at its meetings and events an inclusive environment that is welcoming, safe, collaborative, supportive, and productive for all attendees, and that values the diversity of views, expertise, opinions, backgrounds, and experiences reflected among these participants. To that end, we expect participants to abide by the following Code of Conduct.

Recent News

Smith Fellows announces recruitment for a Program Manager

Announcing the Class of 2024!

2024 Smith Fellows Request for Proposals Announced! Deadline for receipt of application materials September 15, 2023. Proposal Guidelines here

Announcing the Class of 2023!

Nicole Crane selected to lead the Smith Fellows Program as Executive Director! Announcement here

Pre-proposal webinar with application/selection process overview and FAQ recording posted here!

Introducing the Class of 2022! Read more about their projects here.

Cedar Tree Foundation Announces the Retirement of Smith Fellows Executive Director Mike Dombeck.

The Smith Fellowship shares the sentiments of its administrative partner, the Society for Conservation Biology, condemning anti-Black violence and commits itself in service of efforts to make the Program, the Society, and the field of conservation more equitable, inclusive, and just. 

Smith Fellows author SCB policy statement opposing construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea (Mauna a Wākea), Hawai'i

Smith Fellows provide comment on proposed National Parks reductions and targeted fee increases

Smith Fellows author policy brief on banning microbeads