Scholar-in-Residence: Research in the Rockies

Dr. Jill Baron collects water samples below The Loch in Rocky Mountain National Park

NPS Photo

The Scholar-in-Residence Program follows the tradition of connecting scientists and scholars to the community and educational programming in our National Parks. The Scholar-in-Residence works with Rocky Mountain Conservancy (RMC)’s Field Institute and the Continental Divide Research Learning Center at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). This initiative allows a scholar to live and conduct research in Estes Park, Colorado near RMNP. Financial support gives scholars the opportunity to be creative, productive, and successful in conducting research or observations that are uniquely connected to RMNP.

Scholars may include graduate students, postdoctoral or postgrad students, professors, educational administrators, writers/authors. Research topics can vary but could include local biotic systems, resource management, and ideally focus on the RMNP research priorities. The topic of research must align with the mission and values of Rocky Mountain Conservancy and the National Park Service/RMNP.

One Scholar-in-Residence is selected annually.

Dates

The Scholar-in-Residence Program supports 10 weeks of field research and occurs annually. The research period can occur between June 1 and October 1.

Compensation and Benefits

• Housing is provided at a home/duplex located 5 miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. It is bordering RMNP, and scholars will have hiking access to the park from their lodging. 4x4 or AWD transportation recommended.
• Stipend of $ 5,000 paid every 2 weeks in $ 1,000 allotments during the 10-week research period.

Requirements

Selected scholars participating in the Scholar-in-Residence Program are asked to complete the following:

• Work with park staff to obtain an RMNP Research Permit.
• Provide RMNP with data and associated materials collected during the research project. Research may be used in exhibits and for educational purposes by Rocky Mountain National Park and Rocky Mountain Conservancy for their products or programs.
• Submit a published piece of research representative of their residency for public distribution.
• Give one 45-minute public presentation. Presentations can be a demonstration, talk, exploratory walk, or outreach event.
• Give one presentation to RMNP and RMC staff. 
• Present an educational program for the RMC Field Institute course on the topic of research for an adult audience. 

Application Information

We are now accepting proposals for the 2025 Scholar-in-Residence! Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis through April 1, 2025.

For more information on proposal requirements and submittal process, look for RMNP Partnership Positions at https://rmconservancy.org/get-to-know-us/employment/.