University of Central Florida Scholarship 2026
The University of Central Florida Scholarship 2026 currently offers fully funded graduate research assistantship positions for PhD candidates in ecology and related fields. These positions include tuition waivers, health insurance, and a stipend (typically $23,000/year with possible additional summer funding of $7,000). If you are interested in disturbance ecology, dendroecology, or conservation biology, this is a strong opportunity to join UCF’s Dendroecology and Disturbance Lab.
University of Central Florida Scholarship Summary
- Host: University of Central Florida (UCF)
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | $30,000 per year (approx) stipend | Health Insurance | Tuition waiver
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: December 1, 2025
- Scholarship Alerts: To receive Scholarship Alerts on WhatsApp, click HERE
The University of Central Florida Scholarship 2026 is advertised by Dr. Nicole Zampieri in the Department of Biology. Admitted PhD students will work on projects spanning biogeography, disturbance ecology (fire and hurricane impacts), quantitative wood anatomy, lidar-based remote sensing, and community-level biodiversity trends across Florida. Fellows will have opportunities to engage with conservation practice, Indigenous Knowledge, and policy-relevant research.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the University of Central Florida Scholarship 2026, you should typically have:
- A relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree (biology, ecology, forestry, environmental science, geoscience, or related fields).
- Research interest and/or experience in disturbance-maintained ecosystems (savannas), fire or hurricane ecology, or ecosystem resilience.
- Desire to work on quantitative wood anatomy (e.g., resin duct formation) and/or remote-sensing approaches (terrestrial/aerial LiDAR).
- Strong written & oral communication skills; research experience is preferred.
(If your background closely matches the lab’s goals, mention it when contacting the supervisor.)
Benefits of the University of Central Florida Scholarship 2026
Scholarship/assistantship benefits generally include:
- Tuition waiver for the funded semesters.
- Stipend: typically $23,000 per year with potential additional summer funding (~$7,000). Total yearly support can reach approx $30,000 including summer support (varies by appointment).
- Health insurance provided at no cost to admitted graduate students.
- Valuable training and mentorship within UCF’s research groups and collaborations.
See Also: 2026 Swedish Institute SI Scholarship For Global Professionals | Fully Funded
Research topics supported under the University of Central Florida Scholarship 2026
Priority and example research themes include:
- Dendroecology and quantitative wood anatomy (tree rings, resin ducts).
- Fire ecology, resilience to fire, and post-disturbance recovery.
- Hurricane disturbance impacts and ecosystem responses.
- Remote sensing of ecosystem structure and function using LiDAR.
- Biodiversity trends and conservation applied across Florida landscapes.
Required documents & preparations
When contacting the supervisor or applying, have the following ready:
- Updated CV / Resume (research experience, publications, technical skills).
- Academic transcripts (undergraduate and graduate).
- A brief statement of research interest tailored to the lab’s focus (1–2 pages).
- Contact details for 3 referees (available upon request).
- Any relevant publications, code, datasets, or portfolio links.
How to apply – University of Central Florida Scholarship 2026 (step-by-step)
-
Express interest to the supervisor: Email Dr. Nicole Zampieri at nicole.zampieri@ucf.edu as soon as possible.
- Subject suggestion: PhD interest – Dendroecology & Disturbance Lab (UCF)
- Attach: CV, transcripts, and a short (≤500-word) research interest statement.
- Discuss fit & funding: If your profile matches, arrange a meeting to discuss research fit, funding timelines, and application steps.
- Prepare formal application: Follow the department/graduate school instructions (UCF Graduate Admissions). Department deadline: Dec 1, 2025. Confirm exact submission steps with Dr. Zampieri.
- Submit application: Complete UCF Graduate School application, upload required documents, and list referees.
- Department review & interview: Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed. Funding decisions and assistantship offers will be communicated by the department/supervisor.
- Accept offer & enroll: Complete visa and enrollment procedures if selected.
Contact & next steps
- Primary contact: Dr. Nicole Zampieri – nicole.zampieri@ucf.edu
- Department: Department of Biology, University of Central Florida
- Deadline reminder: Department deadline is December 1, 2025. Contact the supervisor early to schedule application guidance.
Final tips to strengthen your application
- Tailor your research statement to the lab’s interests (mention LiDAR, dendroecology, fire/hurricane ecology as relevant).
- Highlight field and lab skills (tree-ring methods, wood anatomy, GIS/remote sensing, programming).
- Provide demonstrable evidence of independence in research (projects, publications, datasets).
- Request referees who can specifically speak to your research potential and fit for the lab.
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Visit HERE to see more scholarship opportunities
Receive Scholarship Alerts Through our Social Media Channels, join:
- WhatsApp: NextGen Scholarship WhatsApp
- Facebook: NextGen Scholarship
About The Author
