Oklahoma State University Scholarship in USA 2026 (Fully Funded)
Oklahoma State University is funding a Master’s Scholarship to research bird-window collisions on its Stillwater campus, paying a $25,000 annual stipend, a full tuition waiver, and health insurance at $20 a month. The position runs from January 2027 through May 2029, and the deadline to apply is September 13, 2026. You need a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Ecology, Ecology, or a related field, though no prior research experience is required.
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You’d work under the co-advised Loss and O’Connell labs, the two researchers who have collaborated for 13 years across landscape ecology, biodiversity conservation, and wildlife management — monitoring campus buildings, identifying what drives collision risk, and building the case for window treatments that reduce bird deaths. Beyond the research itself, the role has a real outreach component: leading engagement efforts, developing school presentations in Stillwater, and potentially publishing on the educational work itself, not just the ecological findings.
There is no application portal; you apply by emailing the lab director directly, and this guide covers exactly what to send.
OSU Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | MS Assistantship — Bird-window Collision Research and Outreach |
| Host Country ⇒ | United States |
| Study Level ⇒ | Master’s |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — $25,000 per year stipend ($2,083/month), full tuition waiver, and health insurance at $20/month |
| Funded By ⇒ | Oklahoma State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management, through a research assistantship |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Not restricted by nationality in the official listing — confirm international student admission requirements directly with OSU’s Graduate College |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | September 13, 2026 |
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Eligibility Requirements for the Oklahoma State University Scholarship
You must have:
- An undergraduate degree in Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Ecology/Management, Ecology, or a related field
- A strong work ethic and sense of self-motivation
- The ability to work both independently and collegially with others
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- An interest in urban ecology, conservation biology, and/or human threats to wildlife
- Experience engaging with the public and a variety of stakeholder groups, since the role carries a strong outreach component
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No prior research experience is formally required, but the following strengthen your application: experience conducting, presenting, or publishing mentored research; coordinating or supervising field projects; conducting wildlife collision surveys; handling and identifying wild birds; statistical analysis experience; and prior educational or interpretive presentation experience with different age groups.
Application Process for the OSU Scholarship
There’s no formal application portal for this position — you apply by emailing the lab director directly. Send your application to Scott Loss at [email protected] by September 13, 2026, as a single zip file or merged PDF containing:
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- A cover letter that directly addresses how you meet both the required and preferred qualifications — don’t just restate your CV, explain the fit
- A CV
- Contact information for three references
Since this goes straight to the person who will supervise your research, treat the cover letter as your main chance to make the case for your fit with this specific project, not a generic graduate school application letter.
What’s Included in the Oklahoma State University Scholarship
- Stipend: $25,000 per year, paid as $2,083 per month
- Tuition: a full tuition waiver
- Health insurance: available at $20 per month — heavily subsidized, but not entirely free
- Funding duration: support runs through May 2029, covering coursework starting January 2027 and fieldwork beginning around spring migration in April 2027
- Optional teaching experience: you may have the chance to TA an NREM course if you’re interested — likely Dr. Loss’s Applied Ecology field course or Dr. O’Connell’s Ornithology course, though this isn’t guaranteed and details are still to be determined
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Application Deadline
Applications are due September 13, 2026, sent directly to Scott Loss by email. Coursework begins January 7, 2027, and fieldwork is expected to start with spring migration around April 2027, so there’s roughly four months between the deadline and your start date for admissions processing and, if you’re an international applicant, visa arrangements. Any offer is contingent on OSU’s standard credential verification and a criminal background check, so factor that processing time in as well.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nigerian or other international students apply for this assistantship?
The official listing doesn’t restrict applicants by nationality, but it also doesn’t detail the international student admission or visa process. Include your interest in applying as an international student in your initial email to Scott Loss, and separately confirm OSU Graduate College’s international admission requirements.
Do I need prior bird research experience to qualify?
No. Experience handling or identifying wild birds and conducting collision surveys is listed as preferred, not required. What is required is a relevant undergraduate degree, strong communication skills, and experience engaging with the public, since the position includes real outreach responsibilities.
Is health insurance actually free with this assistantship?
Not entirely. It’s available at $20 per month, which is a heavily subsidized rate rather than a fully free benefit. Budget for this small monthly cost alongside your stipend.
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What happens after I email my application to Scott Loss?
The listing doesn’t specify a review timeline. Since this is a direct email to the lab director rather than a portal submission, a reasonable follow-up after a few weeks of silence is appropriate if you haven’t heard back.
Will I be teaching as part of this assistantship?
Not necessarily. Funding comes through a research assistantship, and TA opportunities are optional and still to be determined — you’d likely TA Dr. Loss’s Applied Ecology field course or Dr. O’Connell’s Ornithology course if you choose to pursue it.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly with Oklahoma State University and the Loss and O’Connell labs before applying. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with Oklahoma State University.
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