Biota Awards Application Guide

By the Grant start date (i.e., no later than November 30, 2026) the postdoctoral researcher selected for the fellowship must:

• Hold a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree.

• Hold a full-time postdoctoral position at an academic, nonprofit, or government research institution located in Illinois that is a governmental unit or a registered Section 501(c)3, 509(a)(1), or 509(a)(2) public charity, or is working with a fiscal sponsor that meets this requirement.

• Reside in Illinois throughout the duration of the grant period. The Grant will provide up to $3,000 in relocation assistance for those moving to Illinois.

• Have established a primary research adviser that is based at the Grantee Organization in Illinois.

• Have no more than three years of cumulative postdoctoral experience. Walder Foundation may consider a special exception in certain circumstances, specifically for family or medical leave. Contact biotaawards@walderfoundation.org for special exception consideration.

In addition:

• If awarded, the researcher must begin the fellowship by November 30, 2026.

• Researchers must remain at the Grantee Organization for the two-year fellowship period, and in most cases, funding is not portable. If a researcher wishes to move from one Illinois institution to another, Walder Foundation may consider a special exception in appropriate circumstances; however, in all cases, the Grantee Organization must agree to any such change.

• The Foundation is pursuing efforts to build community among funded researchers. Researchers should make every reasonable effort to attend Biota Awards convenings held by Walder Foundation to share progress on the work funded through this program, including the celebration event likely to be held in Fall 2026.

• Please let us know if you wish to withdraw your application at any time.

  Walder Foundation encourages applications from those with a demonstrated commitment to fostering equity, accessibility, and inclusion in STEM and the biological and environmental sciences, including by creating opportunities for researchers who have faced barriers to career advancement.

Applications will be reviewed by an expert Advisory Committee of leading scientists and practitioners with final funding decisions made by the Foundation. Proposals will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Research plan - The extent to which the project addresses a significant gap or need for biodiversity science and demonstrates the necessary access to expertise and resources to make the project successful.

Potential for on-the-ground impact - The extent to which the project has potential to result in meaningful, on-the-ground impact and commitment of the applicant to realize this. 

Leadership - The extent to which the applicant is a current or potential future leader in biodiversity science and its application.

Building the field - The extent to which the applicant and proposed work contributes to building a more inclusive and equitable biodiversity research sector, by providing opportunities to engage those from a range of backgrounds who may face barriers on their paths into the field.

Feedback received from reviewers is used by the Foundation, along with other factors, to make funding decisions. When selecting the final cohort of awardees, other factors taken into account may include alignment with the goals of the Foundation and the awards program, breadth of topics addressed, and approaches employed.

There is no limit on the number of applications submitted by an institution, but the Foundation will not make more than two awards to the same institution for the Biota 2026 Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Walder Foundation is seeking proposals in all areas of biodiversity and conservation science, from the molecular to landscape scale. The Foundation is particularly interested in the development and application of interdisciplinary projects with potential to bridge academic research and conservation practice, developing evidence-based, equitable, and durable solutions for conservation challenges. These approaches would contribute to understanding, protecting, and restoring biodiversity by elevating research outcomes that have potential to deliver on-the-ground results or developing new methodologies for conservation and biodiversity monitoring. This might also include community and participatory science, incorporation/application of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and participation in the training/mentorship of the next generation of biodiversity scientists through internships, undergraduate research projects, etc.

Researchers may partner with conservation organizations and/or be co-advised by a conservation practitioner or other policy, practice, and community stakeholders to ensure research addresses needs identified by ‘end-users’ of the research and help maximize the potential for research to result in on-the-ground outcomes.

Through this opportunity, the Foundation seeks to strengthen the breadth of perspectives in biodiversity research. We encourage applicants and participation by those who are dedicated to broadening access to the field, including by advancing researchers who have supported others or personally navigated barriers to entering environmental and biological sciences.

Application opens: July 9, 2025

Application closes: October 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT

Applicants notified: April 2026

Fellowships Begin: April-November 2026

Grants expended by: November 2028

Biota Awards Celebration Event: Fall 2026

HOW TO APPLY

For instructions with visual aids, click here: 2026 Biota Awards Application Guide

A complete application requires submitting an online form, uploading documents, and submitting a video abstract. You must create an account in the Walder Foundation’s grants management system, akoyaGO. To create an account, you will need the applicant organization’s EIN. Please work with your applicant organization’s sponsored research or development department on the online application.

Create an account in akoyaGO

1. Click on the link below to access the grantee portal

Create an account in akoyaGO

2. Choose Create New Account

3. Select Organization

4. Choose your region - United States or Canada - and search for your organization using the Tax ID number. If your organization is outside the United States or Canada, click on the link that says “Skip, manually enter” and enter your organization details.

5. You will see a list of organizations matching that Tax ID number. It is possible that you see more than one entry for your organization, and it may have a staff member’s name following the organization name, for example “Walder Foundation - Monica Chavez”. Click Select next to the entry for your organization that does not have a staff person’s name next to it.

6. If your organization is new to our database and does not show up on the list, choose the Skip, manually enter option.

7. A screen will appear with fields you may fill out to create your new account.

8. Once you have completed the registration form and submitted it, your registration request will be reviewed. You will receive an email confirmation after it has been accepted, and you are free to access the grant portal. Please note that the process is typically quick but may take up to two business days.

Begin your application

Once your user account has been accepted, use the link below to log in and begin working on your application:

2026 Biota Awards Proposal Form

It will take you straight to the proposal form.

You can log in any time (up until the deadline) to work on your application and save your progress. We recommend creating your account early to familiarize yourself with the system and the application form.  

>> VIEW A SAMPLE PROPOSAL FORM FOR COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS

An automated email confirmation is generated upon submission of the application. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours of submitting your application, please check your spam folder and then contact grants@walderfoundation.org.

The Walder Foundation is working to improve our grantmaking practices through survey feedback at important milestones in the grantmaking process from the initial contact to the close of a funded grant.

Please look out for automated emails requesting that you participate in five-minute anonymous surveys about your experiences with us.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. CT on October 21, 2025.

Request Overview

• Project title

• Request amount

• How did you hear about the Biota Awards?

• By the start of the grant period, how many years of cumulative postdoctoral experience will you have?

• If you have not yet received your Ph.D., what is your anticipated graduation date?

• Website for applicant or research group (optional)

• Geographic focus of research (select from the drop-down list)

• Executive summary (up to 1,500 characters)

Applicant Organization Information

• Legal name

• Tax ID (EIN)

• Mission

• Year Founded

• Address

• Phone

• Month and Day of Fiscal Year End

• Budget

• Website

• Social Media handles for researcher and their adviser’s labs (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, BlueSky, X) (optional)

Your Contact Information

• Name, including preferred name

• Pronouns

• Title

• Department

• Address

• Phone

• Email

• ORCiD ID

Contact Information, including name, preferred name, pronouns, email, phone, title, department, and address for the following:

• Postdoctoral research lead

• Research adviser

• Grant agreement contact at Grantee Organization to review/sign the agreement

• Payment contact for grant payments

Goals (3-5 goals for proposed research by the end of the grant period)

Researcher’s demographic information (race, national origin, and gender)  Providing this information is optional; demographic information is not considered in the grant selection process. The Foundation collects demographic data solely for internal analysis to better understand the reach and impact of its programs as we strive to serve a broad spectrum of grantees and community populations.

In addition to the online form, applicants will need to prepare documents to upload to akoyaGo (see Document Guidelines section). There are several separate documents to prepare for upload, listed and then detailed below.

The following should be uploaded to your application:

1. Research proposal

2. Budget narrative

3. Line-item budget

4. Researcher’s CV

5. Personal statement

6. Career development plan

7. Letter of support from proposed adviser at applicant organization in the Chicago region

8. Two letters of reference

9. Letter(s) of support from project partners (optional)

10. Video summary completed via Hireflix platform (see Video Guidelines for details)

The research proposal, budget narrative, personal statement, and career development plan must follow the formatting guidelines. Files must be saved as Word or PDFs, except the line-item budget, which should use the Excel template provided below.

Documents should be formatted as follows:

• Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman font

• 11-point font or larger

• At least 0.5” margins on all sides

• Single-spacing

• Standard character spacing (neither expanded nor condensed)

Documents that do not adhere to these restrictions may not be reviewed.

1. RESEARCH PROPOSAL (up to 6 pages excluding citations)

The page limits noted below are only guidelines for the individual sections. The entire research proposal should not exceed six pages.

Project Background (~1-2 pages)

Describe the background and previous work that has led to this project and its context within the current literature. Explain why this research is needed, the specific problem/s you are trying to solve, its relevance for biodiversity and conservation, and the solutions that the work aims to provide. Describe any engagement of the potential ‘end-users’ (e.g. conservation organizations, land managers, communities) of your research in problem definition and project design.

Project Aims and Objectives (~1 page)

Describe the specific goals of the research project and specify any hypotheses that will be tested. Describe any goals for translating the research into potential solutions and on-the-ground outcomes.

Project Design, Approach, and Timeline (~2 pages)

Describe your planned approach, study design, and research methods for the specific project aims and objectives, including key milestones, as well as any supporting services (e.g., community engagement) you may need to complete your work. If applicable, outline any key dependencies between activities or interim milestones that will influence project decisions or directions. Describe your approach to ensuring your work will result in on-the-ground outcomes.

Potential Broader Impact and On-the-Ground Outcomes (~1 page)

Describe how you expect this project to inform and result in on-the-ground conservation outcomes. On-the-ground outcomes are broadly defined and may include any activities that have meaningful impact on protecting, restoring and conserving biodiversity, including policy and implementation of adaptive land management and improved conservation practices. Broader impact may include communication outcomes, community engagement, and training. Indicate the impact this work will have on the wider research and conservation community and describe any efforts to build a more inclusive field of biodiversity and conservation research, including efforts to engage individuals and communities with varied perspectives and experiences.

Collaborations and Partnerships (~0.5 page)

Describe the key collaborations and partnerships in this work and their roles. Please indicate whether specific partnerships are already established, identified but not established, or not yet established. Describe any plans for engaging and communicating with communities and/or stakeholders that will benefit from the work.

Works Cited (not counted in the total 6-page limit)

List any published works cited in the project proposal. Citations should include all authors’ names, article/journal title (or preprint server name), book/article title, and publication year.

2. BUDGET NARRATIVE (0.5-1 page)

Summarize the budget needs of the project and how the annual $20,000 research and travel allowance will be used to support your work. Eligible costs include but are not limited to research supplies, IT, support services, intern stipends, travel expenses, and partner organization support. Indicate whether you will have access to any other funding support during the course of the fellowship (e.g. existing grants in your adviser’s lab). Please note that a match is not required.

3. LINE-ITEM BUDGET: DOWNLOAD the budget template.

Instructions for completing the budget can be found in the first sheet of the Excel workbook.

4. RESEARCHER’S CV

5. PERSONAL STATEMENT (up to 1 page)

Part A

The researcher should describe their activities to date related to fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture in the scientific and/or conservation communities, including, service of communities that face societal barriers, efforts to broaden access to the field, and how the proposed work would contribute to the advancement of this culture at the applicant organization and in the broader field. This might include examples of teaching and mentoring, engagement with professional societies, task forces, and committees, community engagement, and outreach activities.

Discuss how these experiences inform the work proposed here, and how efforts and activities that foster a culture of equity and inclusion in biodiversity and conservation science are integrated within the proposal.

Part B (optional)

If there are aspects of the researcher’s personal background or life experience that they are comfortable voluntarily sharing with the Foundation, we welcome that context here. Examples might include formative experiences, significant challenges in access to education, socioeconomic factors, or other personal challenges overcome, and how such factors have shaped an interest in pursuing a career in biodiversity and conservation science and the proposed work at the applicant organization. We are interested in understanding what drives your passion for this work and how it connects to the goals of your proposed project.

6. CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN (up to 1 page)

The researcher should provide a statement that outlines their career trajectory to date and interest in the Biota Awards Postdoctoral Fellowship program. Use the following to frame the response:

• Describe your career to date, including challenges you have faced, barriers you have overcome, and key achievements.

• Describe your short- and long-term career goals and explain how this fellowship will help you achieve them.

• Identify any specific experiences you seek or skills you wish to develop that will help you achieve your professional goals.

7. LETTER FROM PROPOSED ADVISER

Letter from the proposed adviser at the applicant organization. The letter should explain why the researcher is well suited to conduct the proposed research, what resources the applicant organization will make available to the researcher, how the proposed project aligns with the applicant organization’s mission, and confirm that details provided in the application (e.g. fringe benefit and indirect cost rates) are approved by the applicant organization. The letter should also state that the adviser agrees to support the project for the duration of the Grant. The Foundation may contact the proposed adviser in relation to the application. 

8. LETTERS OF REFERENCE (2)

Letters of reference should speak to the researcher’s qualifications and suitability for leading this research. Letters should articulate the researcher’s unique qualities and highlight key aspects of experience and previous accomplishments. Letters should be written by people who can speak to the researcher’s experience, skills, and commitment to the field, such as former advisers, colleagues, former colleagues, partner organizations, and collaborators. The Foundation may contact references in relation to the application.

9. LETTER(S) OF SUPPORT FROM PROJECT PARTNERS (optional)

Please include letter(s) of support from any significant project partner organizations that have or will be involved in project design, development, and/or implementation. These might include research partners, community organizations, land management agencies, or conservation organizations. Letters should describe the organization’s role in the proposed work, including involvement in project design/proposal development, any commitment of additional resources to the work, how they will be engaged throughout the project, and how they might use the results of this work to inform land management, policy development, or other on-the-ground results. 

VIDEO SUMMARY

A video recording up to five minutes in length will be used to provide a summary of the application to Walder Foundation leadership. Videos should be recorded online and submitted using the Hireflix website (see instructions below).

You should be prepared to respond the following prompt:

In up to five minutes, please provide an overview of your career to date including your main accomplishments. Please outline your goals for future development and how a Biota postdoctoral fellowship would help to achieve them.

Hireflix instructions:

1. Go to the Hireflix website.

2. Enter your name and email address and click Start Interview.

3. Check for an email from Hireflix with a unique link to record your video. Be sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox.

4. To begin, press Start Interview. You will first be prompted to confirm your video and audio settings.

5. Press Start Interview again to proceed to the video recording page.

6. Begin recording at any time by choosing Answer Question.

7. Press Stop Recording at any time to end recording. Recording will stop automatically after five minutes.  

8. You may re-record your video as many times as you wish, and may view your recorded answer by clicking the Play icon on the recording.