About

The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at UCSC, founded in 2016 focuses on to growing a diverse community of emerging leaders to strengthen conservation. Each year we select 20 students from around the U.S. and its territories to participate in our two-year conservation leadership program. Scholars enjoy two fully-funded summers in an immersive mentorship program focused on Conservation Research, Leadership, Communication, and Professional Skills, and join a network of 500+ conservation leaders.

The two-year program is built around two core experiences:

The first-year consists:

  • of an eight-week, paid, intensive summer course integrating conservation design, leadership, and research experiences while traveling with a close group of peers and mentors
  • Scholars lead their own original research in small groups
  • Scholars interact with a diversity of conservation leaders

The second-year consists:

  • of an eight-week, paid, intensive summer internship with a conservation organization or agency
  • Past Internship partners have spanned conservation NGOs, government agencies and research labs across the country.

Scholar Benefits:

  • Scholars receive a $4600 stipend each summer
  • Scholars re-convene for a fully-funded professional retreat and workshop the winter after nationwide internships.
  • Year-round support from DDCSP staff and support finding mentors at your home campus
  • Scholars who complete the program become part of a growing scholarly and professional network of 700+ Doris Duke Conservation Scholars

Our program will no longer be taking new cohorts

Funding for this program is provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.