Graduate Research Fellowships

Photo Nemours 3 - Graduate Research Fellowships

Supporting the next generation of conservation professionals

The Nemours Wildlife Foundation is thrilled to announce our new Graduate Research Fellowship Program designed to support and develop the next generation of conservation researchers and leaders.  We invite students pursuing graduate-level degrees (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) to submit proposals that align with NWF’s Mission and produce innovative research resulting in actionable conservation practices to address today and tomorrow’s most pressing environmental challenges.  Please click on the links below to learn more about the program and application process.  If you have additional questions, please reach out to Stephen Clements, our Wildlife Scientist.

Benefits of being a Nemours Graduate Research Fellow include: 

1) Stipends –  Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $2,300/month (M.Sc.) or $2,600/month (Ph.D.) for use at the discretion of the Fellow to subsidize living expenses, tuition, fees, books, travel, and/or research supplies.

2) In-Kind Support – Fellows conducting research at or near Nemours are eligible for free on-site housing, office space, and access to conduct research in our newly completed $2M laboratory.

3) Professional Development – Professional development training through the Center for Wildlife Studies, scientific conference registration fees, research publication fees, and networking/cross training opportunities are available to Nemours Graduate Research Fellows.    

We are now accepting applications for a Fall 2026 Graduate Fellow! The application deadline is 11:59 P.M. EST on 15 March 2026.

GERALD H. SCHULZE

Chairman

STEPHEN CLEMENTS, PH.D.

Wildlife Scientist

MARIAH WHITEHEAD, PH.D.

Board Member

She is currently the Vice President and Senior Director of Land at the Open Space Institute, where she has been instrumental in shaping strategic conservation priorities, climate resilience efforts, and freshwater protection programs in the Southeastern United States. Prior to her current appointment, she was involved in various conservation initiatives including piloting The Nature Conservancy’s Coastal Resilience 2.0 program and contributing to the NOAA Climate Vulnerability Assessment Tool for Coastal Habitats. In addition, she is
trained as a Conservation Coach in the Conservation Standards strategic planning process, a skillset and distinction she shares with our President and CEO. However, she asserts that her most significant role is parenting three daughters, and her favorite activity is spending time with her family in the outdoors. 

JOHN WILLIAMSON, III

Board Member

COLDEN R. BATTEY, JR.

Board Member

Colden has been a partner in the law firm of Harvey & Battey since 1963. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Battey served as chairman of Beaufort County Council for 8 years; he is a past president of the Beaufort County Bar Association, past director of the South Carolina Bar Association and of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association. He currently serves as the president of the Open Land Trust board of directors.

ALEX SHUFORD

Treasurer

Alex loves the Lowcountry and has long had an interest in conservation. He is a retired Vice President with South State Bank and brings great experience in financial management, marketing and non-profit organization to the Trust. He currently serves on the Finance and Investment Committee of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and on the Board of the Open Land Trust as Treasurer. He is also a past president of the University of South Carolina Alumni Association and a past member of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees. Alex has two grown sons whose families all enjoy the beautiful Lowcountry and coastal South Carolina.

KEVIN E. DUKES

Vice Chairman

PEACHIE WASHINGTON
Hospitality Specialist
JESSE DREW
Land Stewardship Specialist
BUBBA ERWIN
Land Stewardship Specialist
JUSTIN RICKENBAKER
Land Stewardship Specialist
ROBERT KITLER
Land Stewardship Specialist
SARA MILLER
Donor Relations & Development Coordinator

Sara is truly looking forward to meeting with our generous and growing number of enthusiastic supporters who share our commitment to conservation. Her responsibilities include communicating news and project updates to our constituents, organizing donor stewardship efforts and events, and assisting supporters with their philanthropic goals. She lives in Beaufort with her two dogs, Kona and Kiwi. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, indulging in fresh local seafood, getting together with her local sorority alumnae group, participating in beach/trash cleanups, and exploring state parks.  

KIMBERLY LARSEN, M.B.A.

Business Administrator

Kimberly lives in Seabrook with her husband, Eric, and their three dogs, Dingo, Kanga, and Bilby. The Larsens are longtime residents of Beaufort County and in their spare time, they enjoy spending time exploring South Carolina’s state parks and relaxing on the local beaches.

HEATHER KRAUS, M.SC.

Education & Outreach Coordinator

BEAU BAUER, M.SC.

Wildlife Biologist
Certified Wildlife Biologist®

ANDREW S. BRIDGES, PH.D.

President & C.E.O.