The Illinois State University Scholarship 2027 offers a fully funded PhD research opportunity for outstanding international and domestic students interested in biological sciences, ecology, fisheries, and environmental research.
The graduate assistantship provides full tuition, health insurance, a monthly stipend, and additional funding for research and conference participation.
Illinois State University Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: United States of America
- Host Institution: Illinois State University
- Study Level: PhD
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Monthly Stipend: Approximately USD $2,300
- Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
About the Illinois State University Scholarship
The Andres Lab in the School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University is recruiting a PhD student for a funded research project investigating the spread of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) throughout the Upper Mississippi River Basin.
The research combines modern molecular techniques—including environmental DNA (eDNA), diet metabarcoding, and genomics—to evaluate the distribution of round gobies and their ecological impacts across the Illinois and Mississippi River systems.
The selected student will collaborate with state and federal scientists on research that directly informs aquatic ecosystem management and conservation.
Illinois State University Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Full tuition waiver.
- Monthly stipend of approximately USD $2,300 for up to five years.
- Comprehensive health insurance.
- Funding through a combination of Research Assistantship (RA) and Teaching Assistantship (TA).
- Additional financial support for research activities.
- Funding to attend and present research at scientific conferences.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold a master’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Fisheries, Wildlife Biology, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Be able to work independently as well as collaboratively within a research team.
- Show evidence of research productivity appropriate to their career stage.
Applicants with experience in the following areas will be highly competitive:
- Aquatic field research.
- DNA extraction.
- PCR and qPCR techniques.
- Library preparation.
- Next-generation sequencing.
- Molecular ecology or genomics.
Scholarship Conditions
Selected candidates are expected to:
- Enroll in the PhD program at Illinois State University.
- Maintain satisfactory academic and research progress throughout the funding period.
- Participate in both research and teaching assistantship responsibilities.
- Begin the program in Spring or Summer 2027.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected.
How to Apply
To apply for the Illinois State University Scholarship:
- Review the project details and ensure you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Prepare your CV, research statement, and professional references.
- Email your complete application package to Dr. Kara Andres at kjandr2@ilstu.edu.
- Submit your application before 15 September 2026 for full consideration.
- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted regarding the next stages of the selection process.
📋 Required Documents
- Contact information for three professional references
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- One-page statement describing: Research experience. Research interests. Career goals. Reasons for applying to the position