The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) has opened applications for its prestigious Plant Conservation Biology Fellowship, an internationally recognized opportunity designed to support outstanding early-career professionals working in plant and landscape conservation. This highly competitive fellowship offers a $10,000 individual grant and an immersive 2–5 week residency at the Oak Spring estate in Upperville, Virginia, USA, allowing fellows to dedicate focused time to research, writing, and reflection.
The fellowship aims to support promising scholars, practitioners, and scientists whose work contributes to the conservation of plants and the ecosystems and landscapes in which they exist. By offering a tranquil environment away from everyday professional demands, the program encourages fellows to advance innovative research and deepen their engagement with pressing environmental and ecological issues.
Applications for the 2027 Fellowship cycle open on February 14, 2026, and close on May 31, 2026.
About the Oak Spring Garden Foundation
The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is dedicated to preserving and sharing the legacy of Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon, an influential horticulturist, philanthropist, and art patron. The foundation’s mission is to inspire scholarship, research, and dialogue about plants, gardens, landscapes, and their importance to human well-being.
Located on a 700-acre estate in Upperville, Virginia, the foundation maintains an exceptional landscape dedicated to sustainable land management and environmental stewardship. The property serves as a dynamic environment for scholars, artists, and conservation professionals who are interested in the intersection of ecology, horticulture, culture, and research.
In addition to its living landscape, the Oak Spring Garden Foundation houses the Oak Spring Garden Library, an extraordinary collection containing more than 19,000 rare books, manuscripts, botanical artworks, and historical materials related to plants, gardens, and landscapes. This library provides fellows with valuable intellectual resources that can inform their research and creative work.
The Plant Conservation Biology Fellowship is one of the foundation’s four most prestigious awards, reflecting OSGF’s strong commitment to advancing knowledge and action in plant conservation.
Fellowship Purpose and Objectives
The primary purpose of the Plant Conservation Biology Fellowship is to support early-career experts who are making meaningful contributions to the protection and sustainability of plant biodiversity.
Plant conservation is increasingly critical as ecosystems worldwide face threats from climate change, habitat loss, urban expansion, and biodiversity decline. Through this fellowship, the Oak Spring Garden Foundation seeks to empower professionals whose research and practice address these challenges.
The fellowship is particularly well suited for individuals working on writing projects, scholarly research, conservation planning, or policy-oriented work that benefits from dedicated time for deep thinking and focused intellectual work.
By removing participants from the pressures of daily professional responsibilities, the program provides the ideal environment for fellows to:
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Reflect on ongoing research
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Develop academic manuscripts or reports
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Advance conservation strategies
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Engage in interdisciplinary dialogue with fellow residents
Residency Experience at Oak Spring
Fellows will spend two to five weeks living and working on the Oak Spring estate, surrounded by its natural landscape and scholarly resources.
During their stay, fellows will have the opportunity to:
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Explore the 700-acre landscape and observe its ecological diversity
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Study materials within the Oak Spring Garden Library
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Engage with OSGF staff and experts in sustainable land management
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Participate in optional activities with other residents and fellows
The fellowship residency is scheduled to coincide with other Interdisciplinary Residents and Fellows, creating an environment of collaboration and knowledge exchange. Participants may share communal meals and optional excursions with artists, researchers, ecologists, and scholars whose work aligns with the foundation’s mission.
A typical day for a fellow might include:
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Independent writing or research
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Walking through the estate’s landscape to observe plant and animal life
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Consulting rare materials in the Oak Spring Library
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Volunteering or learning alongside staff in the formal gardens or at the Biocultural Conservation Farm (BCCF)
Participation in these activities is entirely optional. The fellowship prioritizes flexibility, allowing participants to structure their time in ways that best support their research goals.
Fellowship Presentation Opportunity
At the conclusion of their residency, fellows are encouraged—but not required—to give a short presentation about their work.
This presentation typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes and may include time for questions from OSGF staff, other fellows, and program participants. The purpose of the presentation is to facilitate dialogue and knowledge sharing among the Oak Spring community.
Financial Support and Benefits
The Plant Conservation Biology Fellowship includes a $10,000 individual grant, which provides financial support for activities related to the fellowship.
The grant can be used for:
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Travel to and from the Oak Spring estate
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Research materials and supplies
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Expenses that support the fellow’s conservation work before or after the residency
The Oak Spring Garden Foundation will arrange ground transportation from Washington Dulles International Airport to the estate in Upperville, Virginia.
Fellows will stay in shared accommodations during the residency. Each fellow will have:
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A private bedroom and bathroom
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Shared access to a living room and kitchen with one to three other residents or fellows
This residential arrangement fosters a collaborative environment while ensuring privacy and comfort.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit several materials through the fellowship’s online application portal.
Required application components include:
Curriculum Vitae or Resume
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Maximum of two pages
Statement on Current Work
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A 200–300 word description of the applicant’s current work in plant conservation.
Mission Alignment Statement
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A 200–300 word statement explaining how the applicant’s work aligns with the mission of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation.
Residency Plan
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A 200–300 word description explaining how the applicant intends to use their time during the residency.
Applicants should note that Oak Spring currently does not have laboratory facilities or scientific equipment, although the estate’s landscape offers extensive opportunities for ecological observation and field-based learning.
Community Engagement Statement
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A 200-word or less statement describing a time when the applicant participated in a community, the role they played, and what they valued most about the experience.
Applicants may also indicate whether they would like to be considered for the OSGF Interdisciplinary Residency if they are not selected for the fellowship.
Residency Dates for 2027
Fellows must begin their residency on one of the scheduled dates aligned with other OSGF programs.
Available 2027 residency start dates include:
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March 1
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April 25 (maximum residency length of three weeks)
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May 24
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July 12
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August 29 (maximum residency length of three weeks)
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October 4
These schedules allow fellows to join orientation activities and introductory tours with other residents.
Selection Process
Applications are evaluated through a multi-round review process involving:
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Oak Spring Garden Foundation staff
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Alumni of previous residency programs
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External reviewers and expert jurors
Final selections are made by panels of external experts working in fields relevant to plant conservation, ecology, landscape research, and environmental scholarship.
Key selection criteria include:
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Alignment of the applicant’s work with the OSGF mission
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Demonstrated potential and originality
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Quality of previous work and writing samples
Due to the high number of applications received each year, the foundation cannot provide individualized feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Application Deadline
The application portal will remain open until May 31, 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their materials early to ensure a strong submission.
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