Arkansas Tech University offers a fully funded graduate assistantship for international students pursuing a master’s degree in the United States. This opportunity focuses on avian ecology, investigating long-term population trends of forest birds in the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests. The position includes comprehensive support including full tuition waiver and a $15,000 annual stipend.
Scholarship Coverage
Selected candidates receive exceptional support through this assistantship:
- Full tuition waiver for the entire program
- $15,000 annual stipend for living expenses
- Support for up to 2.5 years of study
- Teaching assistantship including undergraduate laboratory instruction
The teaching roles include instructing undergraduate laboratory sections during spring and fall semesters (typically two labs each semester), providing valuable teaching experience alongside research training.
Research Focus and Activities
This MSc assistantship investigates how forest bird populations and communities respond to different forest conditions across several forest types, including pine, hardwood, and mixed pine-hardwood stands. Potential research questions include:
- Are bird communities becoming more similar across forests or diverging over time?
- Are insectivores, cavity nesters, or forest interior species responding differently to forest management and forest succession?
- How do bird communities change as forest stands age, and do they converge toward mature forest conditions?
Eligibility Requirements
The following criteria must be met by applicants:
- Possess BSc degree in wildlife biology, ecology, biology, natural resources, or closely related fields
- Meet Arkansas Tech University Graduate College admission requirements
- Have minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Prove competitive GRE scores
- Pass background check
- Hold valid driver’s license with good driving record
- Willing to work long hours under challenging field conditions
How to Apply
Interested candidates should:
- Visit the official scholarship website
- Compile all application materials into one PDF
- Email all materials to Dr. Chris Kellner at ckellner@atu.edu
- Include the required documents: cover letter describing interest and qualifications, résumé or curriculum vitae, unofficial undergraduate transcripts, and unofficial GRE score reports showing percentiles (if available)
Click here to apply from the official website
Final deadline: August 15, 2026
Conclusion
This funded graduate position offers exceptional value for students passionate about avian ecology, conservation, and forest management. The combination of full tuition coverage, substantial stipend, and teaching experience creates comprehensive support for academic and professional development.
The Ozark and Ouachita National Forests provide unique research environments with diverse forest types. Students gain hands-on field experience while contributing to understanding long-term population trends.
For ambitious students with strong backgrounds in wildlife biology or ecology, this assistantship represents a transformative opportunity to pursue graduate education in the United States without financial burden. The August 15 deadline approaches quickly, so prospective applicants should begin document preparation immediately. Early application submission increases consideration chances, as review continues until the position fills.
Credit: newsnowgh.com
