Purpose

Provides financial assistance to graduate students conducting thesis-based university research projects associated with preserving hunting.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

1. Be accepted or enrolled through the spring 2028 semester in a wildlife or related graduate program at a Michigan college or university.
2. Be pursuing an MS, MA, or PhD.
3. Plan a career in wildlife management.
4. Be familiar with:
   • Hunting
   • Hunting ethics
   • Hunting’s role in wildlife management
   • Hunting’s role in society
5. Be enrolled in a thesis-based program if pursuing an MS or MA.

Required application materials

• Résumé describing the applicant’s background
• Current contact information
• Three letters of reference from people familiar with the applicant’s skills and experience
  • One letter must be from the research adviser and confirm eligibility
• Essay of no more than 500 words responding to:

“Twenty years from now, what should the elements of wildlife management be, and what role do you see yourself playing in this profession?”

• Applicant’s name and graduate institution on all submitted materials

Selection process

• An SCI-MIC committee reviews the applications.
• Selected finalists are interviewed in April 2027.

Recipient obligation

If invited by participating Safari Club International chapters, recipients must visit the chapter at least once during the award year to provide a research update.