Research

The Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Fellowship Program

The 2024 application window is now closed! Stay tuned for the next round in 2025.

Your Research Supports Our Mission

Let us help you help us!

At Audubon Southwest, we seek science-based solutions to the biggest threats facing the region’s birds, other wildlife, habitats, and communities. We need sound science to tell us what birds need, and we believe that securing conservation wins tomorrow depends on fostering a young, diverse cohort of aspiring scientists today.

That is why we are again announcing our annual Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch (AWRR) Research Fellowships! Through this program, we offer support to young scientists embarking on research with the potential to further Frank and Ariel Appleton’s founding mission of the Research Ranch – to leave the land better than we found it. Supported research includes, but is not limited to, studies focused on:

  • Grassland conservation
  • Arizona Species of Greatest Conservation Need
  • Ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation
  • Natural history at any scale
  • The impacts of climate change and aridification
  • Community engagement in science and conservation

For more information, check out our Fellowship announcement and application scoring rubric. To see some projects that have made the cut, check out the work of our 2023 fellows.

Fellowship details

Three applicants will receive:

  • A Cash award of $1000 to be used on any research-related expenses; gear, books, travel, conferences, etc.
  • A $500 Housing voucher to be used for stays at the AWRR (supports housing and use of lab space for 1 person for about two weeks)
  • Opportunities to share their work through Audubon communications outlets including Audubon websites, newsletters, social media, and more

All who are conducting research in southeastern Arizona are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to those conducting research on the AWRR.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be between the ages of 18 and 30
  • Be conducting conservation related research in Southeastern Arizona
  • Demonstrate a strong conservation ethic
  • Show a commitment to scientific rigor by presenting a well-designed study

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials to steven.prager@audubon.org:

  • A cover letter (max. 1 page)
  • A research proposal (max. 3 pages) outlining the purpose, significance, methods, and expected products of your research
  • Your CV or resume
  • A letter of recommendation from an individual who is knowledgeable about your project and can speak to your conservation ethic and scientific ability

Timeline

  • 2025 application timeline coming soon (the deadline is typically in late March!)

Questions? Please reach out to Steven Prager at steven.prager@audubon.org.

Thank you to the generous AWRR community whose donations make this award possible!

2024 Student Research Fellows

Laura Nicholson
Research

Laura Nicholson

2024 AWRR Student Research Fellow

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Emma Sudbeck
Research

Emma Sudbeck

2024 AWRR Student Research Fellow

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Marcus Williams
Research

Marcus Williams

2024 AWRR Student Research Fellow

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2023 Student Research Fellows

Adriana Garcia Rivera
Research

Adriana Garcia Rivera

2023 AWRR Student Research Fellow

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Matt Jenkins
Research

Matt Jenkins

2023 AWRR Student Research Fellow

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Mia Brann
Research

Mia Brann

2023 AWRR Student Research Fellow

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2022 Student Research Fellows

Hilary Goodine
Research

Hilary Goodine

AWRR Student Research Fellow 2022

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Grace O'Malley
Research

Grace O'Malley

AWRR Student Research Fellow 2022

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Yasser Almalki
Research

Yasser Almalki

AWRR Student Research Fellow 2022

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Leonela Vasquez
Research

Leonela Vasquez

AWRR Student Research Fellow 2022

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Zeinab Rose Haidar
Research

Zeinab Rose Haidar

AWRR Student Fellow - 2022

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2018 Student Research Fellows

Maggie Manatov
Research

Maggie Manatov

Graduate AWRR Student Research Fellow - 2018

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Nick Beauregard
Research

Nick Beauregard

Graduate AWRR Student Research Fellow - 2018

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2017 Student Research Fellows

Cheyenne J. Herzog
Research

Cheyenne J. Herzog

Undergraduate AWRR Student Research Fellow - 2017

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Caylee Falvo
Research

Caylee Falvo

Graduate AWRR Student Research/Fleharty Fellow - 2017

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Dawson Brown
Research

Dawson Brown

Undergraduate AWRR Student Researcher Fellow - 2017

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Anthony Gilbert - Graduate Student
Research

Anthony Gilbert - Graduate Student

Graduate AWRR Student Research Fellow - 2015, 2016 & 2017 Ohio University - College of Arts & Sciences

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2016 Student Research Fellows

Cynthia Morris
Research

Cynthia Morris

Undergraduate AWRR Student Research/Fleharty Fellow - 2016

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William Ternes
Research

William Ternes

Graduate AWRR Student Research Fellow - 2016

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Anthony Gilbert - Graduate Student
Research

Anthony Gilbert - Graduate Student

Graduate AWRR Student Research Fellow - 2015, 2016 & 2017 Ohio University - College of Arts & Sciences

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2015 Student Research Fellows

Anthony Gilbert - Graduate Student
Research

Anthony Gilbert - Graduate Student

Graduate AWRR Student Research Fellow - 2015, 2016 & 2017 Ohio University - College of Arts & Sciences

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2014 Student Research Fellows

Kortney Jaworski
Research

Kortney Jaworski

Audubon's Graduate AWRR Student Research Fellowship Recipient - 2014

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Sean Carter
Research

Sean Carter

Audubon's Undergraduate AWRR Student Research Fellowship Recipient -2014

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2013 Student Research Fellows

Dr. Matthew Lattanzio
Research

Dr. Matthew Lattanzio

Lecturer, Christopher Newport University Organismal & Environmental Biology - Audubon's AWRR Student Research Fellowship Recipient - 2013

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Erik Andersen
Research

Erik Andersen

Graduate AWRR Student Research Fellow- 2013 University of Arizona

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2012 Student Research Fellows

Pedro Mazier Chavarria
Research

Pedro Mazier Chavarria

Audubon's AWRR Student Research Fellowship Recipient - 2010 & 2012

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2010 Student Research Fellows

Pedro Mazier Chavarria
Research

Pedro Mazier Chavarria

Audubon's AWRR Student Research Fellowship Recipient - 2010 & 2012

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