From our partners at the National Park Service:

The Joshua A. Nickerson Conservation Fellowship, offered in partnership by the National Park Service and Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore, has provided support to qualified individuals since 1992. At least one fellowship is awarded each year to individuals whose work will contribute to our knowledge of natural and cultural resources within Cape Cod National Seashore, and of the relationships of these resources to the local communities in which they are found.

Proposals may be submitted for research in the broad areas of the natural and social sciences. Topics of interest include terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem processes, biotic and abiotic ecosystem components, cultural and natural resource management, and the political and social implications of resource protection and management.

The amount of the fellowship varies from year to year. Housing may also be available to fellowship recipients while research is being conducted in the park. Laboratory equipment and field equipment may be available as well.

How to Apply

The application period for the 2026 Nickerson Fellowship is now open. Please use the links below to download the application packet, which describes the fellowship requirements in detail, as well as the fellowship coversheet. Applications must be received by April 10, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact Geoff Sanders, Chief of Natural Resource Management and Science.

• Download the Nickerson Fellowship Application Cover Sheet (78 KB .docx)
• Download the Nickerson Fellowship Application (205 KB .docx)

Learn more by visiting the Nickerson Fellowship website.