2026 Conservation Connect Fellowship Program with PracticumEach year the National Forest Foundation (NFF) hosts a small group of exceptional graduate students pursuing advanced studies in conservation, natural resources management, and related fields. The goal of the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program is to build experience, knowledge, and skills within the next generation of collaborative and conservation leaders. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) invites master's and doctoral students to apply to the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. Fellowships pair the knowledge you are acquiring through your academic work with practical, hands-on experience and contribute directly to collaborative stewardship of our National Forests.Here’s what you will gain by being a Conservation Connect Fellow:Applied experience with a national leader in conservation through a hands-on practicum project.Mentorship from skilled conservation professionals from the NFF and its partners, including the USDA Forest Service.Trainings to foster collaborative leadership skills. Learning topics include facilitation, stakeholder engagement, relationship building, and working with diverse partners. Fellows also have the opportunity to engage in organization-wide trainings.Real-world understanding of forest and public lands management.An expanded personal and professional network.Fellowships include a summer 2026 or academic year 2026-2027 practicum, or some combination of the two, and may be location specific or fully remote, depending on the project. Fellows will be compensated at a rate of $22.90/hour for up to 300 hours over the one-year fellowship.The NFF will accept applications through January 25, 2026. Please see the Conservation Connect Fellows webpage for more information, including 2026 project descriptions.The National Forest Foundation welcomes a diverse pool of applicants and maintains a policy of nondiscrimination.