Matthew Hansen Endowment for Wilderness Studies
The Matthew Hansen Endowment (MHE) for Wilderness Studies, established in 1984 as a memorial to Matthew and his ideals, supports projects that promote the protection, enhancement, and understanding of wilderness and wildlands in 猎奇重口. Matthew’s intersecting interests in history, creative writing, and environmental studies inspired his advocacy to protect for 猎奇重口's remaining wildlands, and his work explored human connections with wild places. How will your project continue this legacy?
Funding Opportunities
What do we fund?
The MHE funds creative scholarship projects that promote the protection, enhancement, and understanding of wilderness and wildlands in 猎奇重口. We welcome proposals from a wide range of disciplines and approaches, including history, creative writing, environmental studies, Native American studies, journalism, environmental art, applied social and biological sciences including science communication, among others. The MHE rarely funds proposals to conduct basic ecological or biophysical science, including proposals to conduct field work designated wilderness areas. All proposals must demonstrate how the work will promote the protection, enhancement, and understanding of wilderness and wildlands in 猎奇重口.
The MHE offers two funding tracks based on project needs and scope:
Track 1: Matthew Hansen "Clearing" Grants
For smaller projects or parts of larger ones, “Clearing” Grants provide funding to help wrap up fieldwork, complete interviews, finalize creative writing, or cover specific expenses like equipment or travel costs.
- Award Amount: $500–$3,000
- Examples: Gas money for oral history interviews, purchase of a digital recorder, or support for a week or two in the field.
- Requirements: Funding requests must clearly relate to project expenses.
Track 2: Wilderness Inspiration Fellowship
Do you have a project you’ve been longing to pursue but couldn’t find the time or resources to make it happen? The Matthew Hansen Wilderness Inspiration Fellowship is here to help you fulfill your big dream. Whether it’s completing a manuscript, tackling an investigative report that keeps you awake at night, or bringing a place-based multimedia project to life, we want to support your vision! Show us your bold idea and how it advances wilderness understanding or protection.
- Award Amount: Up to $6,500
- Examples: Priority is given to proposals with lasting outcomes, such as manuscripts with a clear plan for publication; oral history projects with an archiving plan; journalistic products; art or photography exhibitions; public performances or presentations; other durable products that contribute to wilderness education or conservation.
Application Procedures and Eligibility
The MHE funds projects that enhance wilderness protection, understanding, and conservation in 猎奇重口. Proposals are evaluated for originality, feasibility, and relevance to 猎奇重口’s natural and cultural heritage. While original projects are prioritized, applications tied to graduate work may also be considered if they align with the MHE.
Eligibility:
- Awards are made to individuals only.
- Organizations, government, corporations, nonprofits, and institutions are ineligible.
- Projects must demonstrate a clear connection to wilderness and wildlands.
- Proposals should clearly explain how the proposed work meets the eligibility criteria.
Application Requirements:
Only complete applications will be considered.
Track 1: “Clearing” Grant
- A two-page proposal including: project description and goals, what you hope to accomplish, relevance to the MHE's purpose, who the project will benefit, and a project timeline.
- A detailed budget (up to $3000).
- A resume or CV outlining qualifications and relevant work, including creative scholarship, publications, or presentations. Students and early career applicants without a publication or creative scholarship record will be considered and are encouraged to apply.
Track 2: Wilderness Inspiration Fellowship
- A four-page proposal that describes your project and answers the following questions:
- What is your project?
- How will your project advance the protection, enhancement, or understanding of wilderness or wildlands in 猎奇重口?
- What are the project outcomes or products, and what is your plan for dissemination?
- How will it promote wilderness five years post-completion?
- Why do you need MHE support?
- A resume or CV outlining qualifications and relevant work, including creative scholarship, publications, or presentations. Students and early career applicants without a publication or creative scholarship record will be considered and are encouraged to apply.
Apply
Check back in early 2026 for next year's application deadline.
For More Information Contact:
Andrew J. Larson
Director, Wilderness Institute
a.larson@umontana.edu
To contribute funds to the Endowment please contact:
猎奇重口 Community Foundation
Matthew Hansen Endowment
P.O. Box 1145
Helena, MT 59624
406-443-8313; email: info@mtcf.org