NPS Photo/ L.Scott
Seeking Graduate Student Researchers
Are you a graduate student looking to conduct a research project in Rocky Mountain National Park? Consider applying for the Bailey Research Fellowship - a collaborative program between Rocky Mountain Conservancy (RMC) and the Continental Divide Research Learning Center (CDRLC) in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).
The Bailey Research Fellowship promotes science-informed decision making and adaptive management in the park by supporting rigorous, applied research. Communicating research results, and their importance, to park staff and the public are key components of this process. This fellowship is designed to encourage highly qualified graduate students to apply their talents to conducting research in the national parks while fostering the next generation of park scientists and stewards.
The Bailey Research Fellowship is an endowed program of RMC that is funded by the Leslie Fidel Bailey Charitable Trust.
Areas of research can include wildlife management, vegetation and riparian studies, fire ecology, cultural sciences, archeology and historic structures preservation, as well as topics in botany, zoology, geology, history, ecology. These projects should aim to promote the informed decision making and adaptive management of RMNP or the education of staff to promote professional development and growth.
Education. Participant must be currently enrolled in, or in the process of graduating from, a graduate level program at an accredited college or university.
Research. Participant must show proven excellence in scholarship and research, or training in the fields of natural and/or cultural resources.
Future plans. The applicant’s goals should include an interest in a career with national or state parks in interpretation, natural or cultural resources, resource management, or environmental education.
Communication. Participant should exhibit the ability to communicate effectively to both general and public audiences.
Attitude. Participant should exhibit a willingness to contribute to the purposes of the Bailey Research Fellowship Program and assist the National Park Service by sharing knowledge, skill, and enthusiasm.
Applicants who have previously held either the Bailey Research Fellowship or the Scholar-in Residence Fellowship at RMNP are not eligible.
Fellows must be eligible to work in the US.
Research. Participant must show proven excellence in scholarship and research, or training in the fields of natural and/or cultural resources.
Future plans. The applicant’s goals should include an interest in a career with national or state parks in interpretation, natural or cultural resources, resource management, or environmental education.
Communication. Participant should exhibit the ability to communicate effectively to both general and public audiences.
Attitude. Participant should exhibit a willingness to contribute to the purposes of the Bailey Research Fellowship Program and assist the National Park Service by sharing knowledge, skill, and enthusiasm.
Applicants who have previously held either the Bailey Research Fellowship or the Scholar-in Residence Fellowship at RMNP are not eligible.
Fellows must be eligible to work in the US.
- A ~45-minute public presentation for a general audience, coordinated by RMC.
- A 15–30-minute internal presentation for RMNP and RMC staff, scheduled by the CDRLC.
- Participation in an interview for the RMC's newsletter, "Quarterly."
- A presentation (poster or talk) at a professional conference within 2 years of completing the fellowship. $1,000 reimbursement available to support this requirement.
- A work representative of the fellowship, e.g. a peer-reviewed journal article or paper, thesis, dissertation chapter, white paper, journalistic article or feature, book chapter or book, etc. Information from the scholarly work may be used in exhibits and for educational purposes by RMNP and RMC for their products or programs.
- Research must be conducted under an approved RMNP research permit. Any data and associated materials collected during the project must be provided.
- Park housing for one person. No pets are allowed in government-provided park housing.
- Living expense stipend of $12,000, paid in weekly $1,000 disbursements, with the final disbursement paid once all requirements are complete to the satisfaction of RMC and RMNP.
- Reimbursement payment (not to exceed $1,000) for presenting at a professional conference within 2 years of completing the fellowship
- Reimbursement (not to exceed $1,000) for supplies and materials necessary to conduct research
- An honorarium equaling $1,000 paid after completion of the presentation for RMC
- 2026: Comparing natural beaver dams and human-built restoration structures to assess stream restoration efforts
- 2025: How do groundwater contributions to streamflow vary seasonally and spatially across ROMO streams?
- 2024: Search and Rescue and the Epidemiology of At-Risk Populations in RMNP
- 2023: Evaluation of White-tailed Ptarmigan Habitat Selection in Colorado
- 2022: Quantifying variation in disease susceptibility among boreal toad populations
- 2021: Elevational occupancy between two pika subspecies
- 2019: The role of plant physiological thresholds and resource use strategies in riparian ecosystem recovery
- 2018: Antibiotic resistant bacteria across visitation
- 2017: Janthinobacterium lividum soil bioaugmentation: A potential tool against Chytridiomycosis in RMNP
- 2016: Benthic invertebrate response to climate and environmental change in the Colorado Rocky Mountains during the recent past and the Holocene
Applications should include the following:
1) Applicant Information (not to exceed 1 page)
- Current enrollment in a graduate level program at an accredited college or university
- Research experience summary, including experience working in the backcountry/at high altitude if applicable to proposed work
- Communication/teaching/outreach experience summary
- Career goals, including interest in working with and in public open spaces
2) Resume or CV
3) Research Proposal
- Title
- Dates of proposed work
- Abstract
- Introduction – this should include why RMNP and proposal objectives
- Methods
- Description of the study area
- Procedures
- Collections
- Analysis
- Expected results/products
- Intended use of results/products
4) Each applicant should provide 3 letters of support, submitted by references.
Submission and Review Process
Applications will be accepted beginning on November 2, 2026, and are due no later than January 4, 2027.
Application materials (applicant information + resume or CV + research proposal) and letters of support should be submitted via email at ROMO_research@nps.gov with the subject “2027 Bailey Fellowship Application – Applicant Last Name.”
Fellowship applications will be reviewed by CDRLC and RMC staff. Reviewers may follow up with additional questions during the evaluation period.
Application materials (applicant information + resume or CV + research proposal) and letters of support should be submitted via email at ROMO_research@nps.gov with the subject “2027 Bailey Fellowship Application – Applicant Last Name.”
Fellowship applications will be reviewed by CDRLC and RMC staff. Reviewers may follow up with additional questions during the evaluation period.
Last updated: November 5, 2026