The Nelson Institute provides numerous Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowships, all of which are supported by generous philanthropy from private donors:
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Aldo Leopold Land Ethic Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship (for students in the Environment and Resources MS/PhD Program)
The Aldo Leopold Land Ethic Distinguished Graduate Fellowship provides support to MS/PhD thesis-track graduate students in the Nelson Institute who are working internationally or domestically in the spirit of Aldo Leopold’s land ethic. Aldo Leopold’s land ethic taught us that human beings are an integral part of the environment and gain physical, economic and spiritual sustenance from it. Modern humanity has demonstrated the capacity to change the functioning of earth systems in far-reaching ways. The Aldo Leopold Land Ethic Fellowship supports students who are ready to take responsibility, through critical integration of aspects of ecology, ethics and culture, for advancing our capacity for effective stewardship of the environment. Recipients are selected by the Nelson Institute Graduate Admissions Committee.
Donor
Historic Recipients
- 2020-21: Samantha Helle
- 2013-14: Gail Rosen
- 2011-12: Gina Collignon
- 2007-08: Leela Hazzah
Nelson Alumni Award Winners
- 2020: Leela Hazzah
Cottam Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship (for students in the Environment and Resources MS/PhD Program)
See also Loucks Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship
Starting in 2020, the Cottam Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship was coupled with the Loucks Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship to provide two consecutive years of support to MS/PhD thesis-track graduate students in the Environment and Resources Graduate Program whose research focuses on ecology, restoration ecology, and the like. Recipients of this fellowship are expected to work in close collaboration with the Nelson Institute Center for Ecology and the Environment. Recipients are selected by the Nelson Institute Graduate Admissions Committee in collaboration with the director of the Center for Ecology and the Environment.
Donor
- Anonymous
Historic Recipients
- 2020-21: Mary-Claire Glasenhardt
- 2017-18: Mayank Vikas
- 2013-14: Sarah Betzler
- 2010-11: Alison Duff
- 2009-10: Hadley Boehm
- 2008-09: Sarah Rueth
- 2007-08: Emily Aker
- 2006-07: Katherine Songer
- 2003-04: Chad Wilsey
- 2002-03: Julia Wilcox
- 2001-02: Amy Duchelle
Gaylord A. Nelson Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship (for students in the Environment and Resources MS/PhD Program)
The Gaylord A. Nelson Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship provides support to MS/PhD thesis-track graduate students in the Environment and Resources Graduate Program. Given Senator Nelson’s commitment to social and environmental justice, preference for this fellowship is given to students from historically underrepresented groups such as first-generation, students of color, veterans, etc. Recipients of this fellowship are expected to work in close collaboration with the Gaylord A. Nelson Chair in Integrated Environmental Studies. Recipients are selected by the Nelson Institute Graduate Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Gaylord A. Nelson Distinguished Chair in Integrated Environmental Studies.
Donor
- Friends and colleagues of Senator Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day, former governor of the State of Wisconsin, and namesake of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
Historic Recipients
- 2020-21: Brittany Bondi
- 2018-19: Tyler Byrnes
- 2016-17: Rosalind Cueno
- 2014-15: Hannah Larson
- 2013-14: Kevin Burke
- 2010-11: James Krueger
- 2008-09: Melissa Whited
- 2007-08: Sara Drescher
- 2005-06: Christine Vatovec
- 2004-05: Paige Wilder
- 2003-04: Jerrold Long
- 2002-03: Matthew Mariola
George Bunn Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship* (for students in the Energy Analysis and Policy Program)
The George Bunn Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship provides support to MS/PhD students pursuing the Nelson Institute Graduate Certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy. This fellowship is announced and awarded via open competition when sufficient funds are available. Preference is given to students in the Nelson Institute’s Environment and Resources Program and the Water Resources Management Program. Recipients are selected by the Energy Analysis and Policy Leadership Team.
Donor
- George Bunn (read tributes from the Energy Analysis and Policy Program newsletter and Physics Today magazine)
Historic Recipients
- 2022-23: Maitreyee Marathe
- 2020-21: Ciaran Gallagher
- 2017-18: David Abel
- 2016-17: Andy Lick
- 2014-15: Emily Howell
- 2012-13: Robert “Sam” Shannon
- 2009-10: Julie Reber
- 2008-09: Diana Husmann
- 2006-07: Jeannette LeBoyer
- 2004-05: Scott Spak
- 2003-04: Kaja Rebane
Howard I. Potter Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship (for students in the Environment and Resources MS/PhD Program)
The Howard I. Potter Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship provides support to MS/PhD thesis-track graduate students in the Environment and Resources Graduate Program. Recipients of this fellowship are expected to work in close collaboration with partners at the Aldo Leopold Foundation. Recipients are selected by the Nelson Institute Graduate Admissions Committee.
Donor
- Howard I. Potter
Historic Recipients
- 2017-18: Olivia Cosby
- 2015-16: Jeannine Richards
- 2014-15: Emily Iehl
- 2005-06: Katherine Warner
Ken Potter Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship (for students in the Water Resources Management MS Program)
The Ken Potter Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship provides support to MS graduate students in the Nelson Institute’s Water Resources Management Program. Recipients of this fellowship are expected to work in close collaboration with the Ken Potter Professor of Water Resources. Recipients are selected by the Nelson Institute Graduate Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Ken Potter Professor of Water Resources.
Donor
- John and Linda Nelson (read how John Nelson worked with the Nelson Institute to address environmental challenges faced by Green Lake in east-central Wisconsin)
Historic Recipients
- 2019-20: Laura Bates
- 2018-19: Rachel Johnson
- 2017-18: Sarah Fuller and Rachel Johnson
Loucks Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship (for students in the Environment and Resources MS/PhD Program)
(See also Cottam Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship)
Starting in 2020, the Loucks Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship is coupled with the Cottam Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship to provide two consecutive years of support to MS/PhD thesis-track graduate students in the Environment and Resources Graduate Program whose research focuses on ecology, restoration ecology, and the like. Recipients of this fellowship are expected to work in close collaboration with the Nelson Institute Center for Ecology and the Environment. Recipients are selected by the Nelson Institute Graduate Admissions Committee in collaboration with the director of the Center for Ecology and the Environment.
Donor
- Anonymous
Historic Recipients
- 2021-22: Mary-Claire Glasenhardt
- 2018-19: Jennifer Prahl
- 2017-18: Sarah Bessey
- 2012-13: Ellen Kujawa
- 2010-11: Marya Johnston-McIntosh
- 2009-10: Sedra Shapiro
- 2007-08: Ian Chidister
- 2006-07: Ronald Dolen
- 2004-05: Ellen Hamingson
- 2002-03: Erik Steffens
- 2001-02: Margaret Buck
Roy F. Weston Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship Program (for students working with the Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment)
The Roy F. Weston Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship provides support to MS/PhD thesis-track graduate students studying and researching concepts and values of environmental sustainability. Preference is given to students in the Nelson Institute’s Environment and Resources Graduate Program – and especially those applying science and technology toward policy-making and finding practical environmental solutions. Fellowship recipients are expected to work closely with researchers within or directly affiliated with the Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE). Recipients are selected by the SAGE director in collaboration with the SAGE Faculty Research Team.
Donor
- Roy F. Weston (read about the environmental engineering firm he founded, Weston Solutions)
Historic Recipients
- 2021-22: Zachary Thomas
- 2018-19: Seohyun “Grace” Choi
- 2014-15: Yang Yang
- 2013-14: Tyler Lark
- 2012-13: Tyler Lark
- 2010-11: Claus Moberg
- 2008-09: Kelly Logan
- 2007-08: Matthew Johnston
- 2005-06: Nicolas Jelinski
- 2004-05: Sarah Olson
- 2003-04: Chad Monfreda
Nelson Alumni Award Winners
- 2015: Claus Moberg
* The Bunn WDGF is a competition-based fellowship; all of the other fellowships are awarded by the Nelson Institute Graduate Admissions Committee.
In addition, the Nelson Institute also provides the following fellowships via funding provided by the UW–Madison Graduate School:
- Advanced Opportunity/Diversity Enhancement Fellowships
- University Fellowships
Questions should be directed to Jim Miller, Nelson Institute graduate program manager, at jemiller@wisc.edu.