Mel Fellowship Program 2025, USA

Description

The Mel Fellowship Program, offered by the Maryland Forestry Foundation, provides Maryland college students with a unique opportunity to explore careers in Natural Resources and Urban Forestry. Each year, four fellowships are awarded, each providing a $10,000 stipend to support students as they pursue their studies and develop their careers in the vital field of environmental conservation.

About the Fellowship

The fellowship is named in honor of Mel Noland, a passionate advocate for sustainable forestry practices and the protection of the Chesapeake Bay. His tireless efforts led to the establishment of school forests across Maryland and the promotion of forestry education. In recognition of his contributions, Mel was named an honorary Admiral of the Chesapeake by Governor Martin O’Malley in 2009.

Degree Level

Mel Fellowship Program 2025, USA is available to undertake Fellowship level programs at USA Universities.

Available Subjects

Following subject are available to study under this scholarship program.

Benefits

The primary goal of the Mel Fellowship Program is to support students who are pursuing degrees in Natural Resources or Urban Forestry fields. Fellows are expected to engage in several educational, promotional, and field-related activities, allowing them to build a strong foundation for their future careers. These include:

1. Acting as Ambassadors for the Natural Resources Careers Camp and other Foundation initiatives.
2. Networking Opportunities: Fellows will interact with industry leaders, government officials, and nonprofit professionals through meetings and events, fostering important career connections.
3. Research and Promotion: Fellows will contribute to research on forest policy and promote forest education through blogs, social media, and webinars.
4. Travel Opportunities: Fellows will have the chance to attend national conferences and travel across Maryland, gaining valuable experiences.

Eligible Nationalities

Open to domestic students only.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the fellowship, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a Maryland resident.
2. Be a current college student enrolled in a Natural Resources-related field of study.
3. Commit to approximately 5 hours per week for fellowship activities, which may include travel to various locations around the state and beyond.

Application Procedure

Applications for the 2025-2026 Mel Fellowship open on May 15, 2025, with a deadline of July 15, 2025. Applicants must submit:

1. An online application with a resume.
2. Two letters of recommendation, one from a faculty member in the natural resources field and another from a non-family individual who can speak to the applicant’s character and motivation.

The fellowship offers a $10,000 stipend that is paid out in two installments: $3,000 in 2025 and $7,000 in 2026. The payments are intended to help offset the cost of tuition, and they are not considered taxable income if the student’s tuition and fees exceed the fellowship stipend amount.

Key Dates for 2025-2026 Application

1. Application opens: May 15, 2025
2. Application deadline: July 15, 2025
3. Decision announcement: July 30, 2025
4. Fellowship term: October 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026

How to Apply

1. Review the fellowship details in Appendix A for Natural Resources Careers Fellowship or Appendix B for the Urban & Community Forestry Fellowship.
2. Submit your online application, along with your resume and two letters of recommendation, by the deadline.
3. Once your application is complete, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt.

Conclusion

The Mel Fellowship Program is a wonderful opportunity for students passionate about the environment, forestry, and urban forestry. With its strong emphasis on hands-on experience, professional networking, and career development, the program not only supports students in their academic journey but also helps pave the way for a meaningful career in the natural resources sector.

For more information and to apply, visit the Mel Fellowship Application Page. Don’t miss out on this chance to contribute to Maryland’s forestry initiatives while securing your future career path in this essential field!