WFI International Fellowship Program- “Empowering Natural Resource Professionals With Knowledge and Networks”

About the Program

The WFI International Fellowship Program hosts natural resource professionals from around the world at the World Forest Institute’s campus in Portland, Oregon, for 6 months. Applicants propose a research topic to focus on during their Fellowship, and WFI uses its extensive network of public and private forestry and natural resource professionals to assist Fellows in gaining the knowledge and exposure they seek.

Oregon is an ideal learning ground for the program because of its rich natural resources, innovative history in forest management, an important timber sector, and academic centers of excellence in both forestry and urban forestry, as well as green building and sustainability.  Fellows leave the program with a solid understanding of how the US forestry sector operates and who the key players are. Additionally, Fellows gain invaluable cultural experience and English language skills.  Over 135 Fellows from more than 43 countries have participated in the program over the past two decades.

As you explore our webpages and learn more about the WFI program, one basic program component to keep in mind is that this is NOT a post-doc or other university-related type program. The research you’ll do here is more about networking, making connections with other professionals, and gaining an extension on knowledge you already have and work you have already done. This is a true professional development opportunity. Download our Program Basics document below for more details.

There are three main components to the program:

1. Conducting a Project

50% of your time is spent on your own research project.

Fellows propose a research topic developed in conjunction with his/her sponsor or that is relevant to their work. We favor proposals that are policy, industry, or market-oriented and employs good use of being situated in the Pacific Northwest.

2. Networking with public and private forestry organizations in the US, especially in the Pacific Northwest.

30% of your time will be spent on group and individual study tours and meetings.

Networking is largely accomplished by site visits to forestry agencies, research labs, universities, public and private timberlands, trade associations, mills, and corporations. The program manager will organize approximately one group study tour per week for all Fellows to participate in. These trips are a required part of the program and can be very diverse in scope. Fellows will need to be able to arrange their own individual meetings and site visits to fulfill their specific research project needs.

3. Educational Outreach

20% of your time is spent on presentations, in-house events, and public outreach.

The open application period for the 2019 Fellowship Program is

July 1 – October 15, 2018

Who Can Apply

 Fellowship candidates should meet these minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the field of forestry, natural resources, or other related degree. Alternatively, candidates with at least four years of natural resources work experience may apply.
• If your last degree was earned over a year ago, please show proof on your resume of at least one year of work experience in the natural resources field since receiving your degree. Significant work experience is preferred.
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken, able to communicate on a professional level.
• At least 21 years of age.
• Initial research proposal on a topic relevant to forestry or natural resources in the home country. The project should take advantage being in the Pacific Northwest, you must show how working in the Pacific Northwest will further your professional goals, and how are you planning on applying it back home.
• Ability to be self-motivated, to work independently towards a clear research goal or output, and to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

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