Applications for funding opportunities are separate from the online application to the TCBES program at UH Hilo. Positions are posted on the NEOGOV website.
You should apply for the Graduate Assistantship and Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation Graduate Fellowship positions, respectively, even if you have not yet received your acceptance decision to the TCBES program to ensure you are included in the applicant pool. For both positions, NEOGOV will require you to upload a list of your references with their contact information (you do not need to submit letters at this stage). References will only be contacted if you are selected for the position.
If you have any questions, please email uhhtcbes@hawaii.edu.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships are available to both prospective and current master’s students in the Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science (TCBES) program at UH Hilo. In exchange for teaching or assisting with departmental programs, Graduate Assistants receive a monthly salary and full tuition remission (excluding student fees). Assistantships are awarded as one-year terms, with the opportunity to reapply for a second year. Priority is given to students in their first and second year of the TCBES program.
Renewal decisions are based on satisfactory performance. At the end of each semester, Graduate Assistants are evaluated by their GA mentors—faculty and staff with whom they have worked—and are required to complete a self-evaluation. These evaluations are reviewed by the TCBES Executive Committee to determine reappointment for the following academic year.
The committee assesses whether the student (1) meets the expectations of a Graduate Assistant, and (2) remains in good standing with the TCBES program in accordance with the TCBES Professional Conduct Policy. Students who do not meet both criteria will not be reappointed for a second year.
Reappointment decisions are made initially after the fall semester evaluations to align with the Admissions Committee timeline for selecting Graduate Assistants for the upcoming year. If spring semester evaluations indicate that a student no longer meets the criteria and efforts to address issues have been unsuccessful, reappointment will not be offered. Generally, reappointment notifications are sent out between March and May. Final approval of reappointments is made by the Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences upon recommendation by the TCBES Executive Committee.
All applications must be submitted through the Career Opportunities at the University of Hawaiʻi.
Hau‘oli Mau Loa Foundation Graduate Fellowship
The The Hau‘oli Mau Loa Foundation, in partnership with the Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science (TCBES) Graduate Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, is pleased to offer three graduate assistantships for students committed to pursuing careers in conservation biology and environmental science in Hawaiʻi. Additionally, UH Hilo participates in the Environment Leadership Pathways initiative, a major focus of the Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout the fellowship.
- Graduation from a high school in Hawaiʻi.
- Enrollment in the TCBES M.S. program.
- Demonstrated commitment to supporting Hawaiʻi’s environment through internships, volunteer work, or other experiences, along with leadership experience or potential (academic, athletic, extracurricular, or professional).
- A strong commitment to pursuing a long-term career in conservation biology and environmental science in Hawaiʻi.
All applications must be submitted via the Career Opportunities at the University of Hawaiʻi.
Other Funding Opportunities
- Hawaiʻi Community Foundation offers annual scholarship opportunities for students.
- University of Hawaiʻi Common Scholarship Application awards a variety of scholarships annually to registered UH students.
UH Hilo Financial Aid Office
The UH Financial Aid Office can assist with specific financial aid questions.
We are now accepting applications for our next cohort.
Program Application Term: Fall 2026
Priority Deadline: December 1, 2025
Last day to submit an application: March 15, 2026