South Dakota State University Scholarship 2027 in USA | How to Apply
South Dakota State University’s Severud Wildlife Ecology Lab is recruiting a fully funded PhD student to work on Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep population ecology and restoration in South Dakota’s Greater Badlands ecosystem, with applications open now for a January 2027 start. This is a funded PhD research assistantship — a paid graduate research position with stipend and tuition support.
Must Read: Grooming Centre University Grant Scheme for Undergraduate & Postgraduate Students
This position puts a student at the very start of that recovery effort, working alongside South Dakota State University, Badlands National Park, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, and Tribal and federal partners to track how both resident and newly introduced sheep respond to the augmentation. It’s a rare setup; most PhD projects join ongoing research, but this one lets the student help shape the research questions themselves, using telemetry, population surveys, and long-term data already collected on the herd.
Check This Out: DAAD EPOS Scholarship MSc International Health | Fully Funded
South Dakota State University Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | PhD Assistantship – Bighorn Sheep Population Ecology and Restoration |
| Host Country ⇒ | USA |
| Study Level ⇒ | PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | Graduate stipend (starting at $26,400/year), tuition support, research expenses, field support, professional travel |
| Funded By ⇒ | South Dakota State University (SDSU), Severud Wildlife Ecology Lab |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Not restricted by nationality |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | December 19, 2026 |
About the PhD Project
Bighorn sheep in and around Badlands National Park suffered a severe respiratory disease outbreak starting in 2021, causing significant adult mortality, years of recruitment failure, and roughly an 80% population decline. Badlands National Park and its partners are now shifting from disease management into active population recovery primarily through augmenting the existing population with bighorn sheep from disease-free source herds.
This PhD position sits at the start of that large-scale restoration effort. The successful student will evaluate how both resident and translocated bighorn sheep respond to population augmentation, using GPS/VHF telemetry, population surveys, recruitment monitoring, mortality investigations, GIS data, and existing long-term datasets.
Potential dissertation topics include:
- Survival and causes of mortality among resident and translocated bighorn sheep
- Post-translocation movements, establishment, and integration with resident subherds
- Habitat use and factors linked to successful establishment
- Reproduction, lamb recruitment, and population growth
- Demographic responses to augmentation
- Development of monitoring and analytical approaches to guide future augmentation and long-term management
See This: Adamawa State Scholarship Trust Fund (Turkey Scholarship) | How to Apply
The project also involves continued disease surveillance and biological sample collection, which may support complementary genetic analyses — though these are described as supporting activities rather than guaranteed dissertation chapters. The specific dissertation questions will be worked out collaboratively between the student, SDSU, the National Park Service, and project partners, based on the student’s own interests and the data available.
Collaboration and Fieldwork
This is an applied, multi-partner project involving South Dakota State University, Badlands National Park, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, the Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority, and other state, Tribal, federal, and academic partners.
The student will take part in bighorn sheep capture and translocation, telemetry and population monitoring, mortality investigations, data management and analysis, and reporting results to partners working alongside experienced agency biologists while leading the research and analysis for their own dissertation.
South Dakota State University Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should have:
- A Master’s (M.S.) degree in wildlife ecology, biology, natural resources, or a closely related field, completed by the anticipated start date
- Experience conducting wildlife field research
- A strong interest in wildlife population ecology, quantitative ecology, and applied conservation
- Experience with R and statistical analysis, or clearly demonstrated potential and interest in developing those skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- The ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of project partners
- Willingness and ability to conduct fieldwork under challenging field conditions
- A valid driver’s license
Experience with GPS/VHF telemetry, ungulates, wildlife capture and handling, survival or demographic analysis, GIS/spatial analysis, or population modeling is desirable but explicitly not required; the listing states applicants aren’t expected to have experience in all of these areas.
Read More: Global Excellence Scholarship Queen Mary University of London | How to Apply
Benefits
- A four-year PhD research and restoration project, with funding structured to include:
- Graduate stipend, starting at $26,400 per year
- Tuition support
- Research expenses
- Field support
- Professional travel
- Hands-on involvement in a large-scale, real-world population restoration effort from its outset.
- Close mentorship from experienced agency biologists and field personnel across multiple partner organizations.
South Dakota State University Scholarship Application Process
Interested applicants should email a single PDF containing:
- A cover letter describing your research interests, relevant experience, and interest in this specific project — including your experience with wildlife field research and quantitative analysis, and which aspects of the project interest you most
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- Contact information for three professional references
Applications should be sent to:
William Severud
Email: [email protected] (preferred contact method)
Application Deadline
Applications are due December 19, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a scholarship or a paid position?
It’s a funded PhD research assistantship — you’ll be paid a graduate stipend while completing your PhD, rather than receiving a scholarship award on top of self-funded study.
Do I need prior bighorn sheep or ungulate experience specifically?
No. Experience with ungulates, telemetry, or wildlife capture is listed as desirable, not required. General wildlife field research experience and a strong interest in quantitative population ecology matter more.
When does the position start?
The anticipated start date is after January 4, 2027.
Is the funding fully confirmed?
The funding structure (stipend, tuition, research and field support) is laid out, but the listing notes that final funding and administrative agreements are still being completed — worth confirming directly with the lab before you accept.
Who do I contact with questions?
Dr. William Severud, at [email protected], is the listed and preferred contact.
Disclaimer: All programme details, deadlines, and funding information in this post were verified from official sources as of September 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly with the Severud Wildlife Ecology Lab or South Dakota State University before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with South Dakota State University.
Official Application Portal
Join ScholarWaka Community
Get the latest scholarship updates and study abroad opportunities before anyone else.
