West Texas A&M University Masters Scholarship 2026

Fully Funded Graduate Assistantship in the USA | $27,794 Stipend | No IELTS Required

Are you passionate about wildlife biology, herpetology, or spatial ecology?
Would you like to study in the United States with a fully funded Master’s scholarship?

The West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) is offering an exciting, hands-on research opportunity through a Graduate Research Assistantship starting Spring 2026. This assistantship provides full tuition coverage, medical insurance, and a generous stipend of up to $27,794/year for 6 consecutive semesters.

Scholarship Summary

• Host University: West Texas A&M University
  
  

• Location: Texas, USA
  
  

• Level of Study: Master’s (M.S. in Biology)
  
  

• Eligible Fields: Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Ecology
  
  

• Eligible Countries: Open to all nationalities
  
  

• Funding Type: Fully Funded
  
  

• Stipend: $26,159 – $27,794 per year
  
  

• Duration: 6 semesters (2.5–3 years)
  
  

• IELTS Requirement: Not Required
  
  

• Deadline: August 4, 2025
  
  

Research Focus

Scholarship recipients will work with Dr. Dylan Maag on a field project studying Western Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus tergeminus). This is a highly collaborative, field-intensive opportunity that involves:

• Field data collection with summer technicians
  
  

• Analysis of spatial ecology, hunting behavior, diet, and habitat selection
  
  

• Preparation of theses, manuscripts, and project reports
  
  

Students will be co-leading and independently handling different parts of this large-scale wildlife conservation study.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

• Hold a B.S. degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Biology, or a closely related field
  
  

• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA in science courses
  
  

• Be eligible for the M.S. Biology program at WTAMU
  
  

• Possess a valid driver’s license
  
  

• Be willing to handle venomous snakes (training will be provided)
  
  

• Be committed to completing the 2.5 to 3-year duration of the project
  
  

Experience with venomous snakes, R programming, GIS tools, or radiotelemetry is preferred but not mandatory.

Benefits

• Stipend: $26,159–$27,794 annually for 3 years
  
  

• Graduate Research Assistantship: No teaching duties
  
  

• Tuition waiver (partial)
  
  

• Medical insurance coverage
  
  

• Hands-on field experience in a cutting-edge herpetological study
  
  

• Open to international students, no IELTS required
  
  

Required Application Documents

1. Letter of Interest (state your research interest and qualifications)
   
   

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   
   

3. Unofficial Transcripts
   
   

4. Contact Info for 3 References (academic or professional)
   
   

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Gather the required documents listed above
   
   

2. Send all materials to Dr. Dylan Maag via email:
   dmaag@wtamu.edu
   
   

3. Use this subject line:
   ➤ M.S. MASSASAUGA APPLICATION
   
   

4. Submit before August 4, 2025 for priority review
   
   

5. Interviews begin within two weeks after the deadline (via Zoom/phone)
   
   

6. Applications received after August 4 will be reviewed on a rolling basis until both positions are filled
   
   

Why Apply?

Study in the U.S. with full funding
Gain specialized experience in conservation and ecological fieldwork
No IELTS or GRE required
Be mentored by respected researchers
Collaborate on publishable scientific work