Overview
Established in 1984, the Matthew Hansen Endowment (MHE) for Wilderness Studies supports students and independent scholars with research and writing projects that promote the protection, enhancement, and understanding of wilderness and wildlands in Montana.
Matt’s intersecting interests in history, creative writing, and environmental studies shaped his advocacy for Montana’s remaining wildlands and informed his exploration of human relationships with wild places. MHE-funded projects continue this legacy by advancing thoughtful, well-grounded research and writing and by communicating that work in ways that inform, engage, and inspire audiences beyond the university.
What We Fund
The MHE funds research and writing projects connected directly to wilderness and wildlands in Montana.
For this program, research includes applied, interpretive, historical, cultural, social, or creative inquiry that generates new understanding and is intended for public or community audiences. Projects do not need to follow a traditional academic model, though they may.
Supported work may include:
- Historical, cultural, or policy research related to wilderness and wildlands
- Applied or community-engaged research that informs wilderness stewardship or public understanding
- Journalism or investigative reporting grounded in research
- Creative writing (including poetry), literary nonfiction, or other research-informed creative work
- Oral histories or narrative projects with a clear plan for preservation or public access
- Art, photography, or multimedia projects rooted in research and place-based inquiry
- Science communication projects that translate existing scientific knowledge for non-specialist audiences
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 sciences, science communication, and more.
Important Notes on Scope and Fit:
Clear connection to wilderness and wildlands:
All proposals must be substantively connected to wilderness and/or wildlands in Montana. Applicants should clearly articulate how their project advances understanding of wilderness values, history, stewardship, policy, or human relationships with wild places—not simply use wilderness as a backdrop or study location.
Science:
The MHE rarely funds basic ecological or biophysical research, including projects focused primarily on data collection or fieldwork conducted in designated wilderness areas. Proposals written primarily for a technical or disciplinary review audience (e.g., NSF-style proposals emphasizing hypotheses, methods, and data generation) are unlikely to be competitive.
Audience and Outcomes:
Competitive proposals emphasize research and writing intended to inform, engage, or benefit public, practitioner, or community audiences, and describe tangible outcomes that contribute to wilderness protection, enhancement, or understanding in Montana. Projects that produce traditional scholarly publications (i.e., journal articles, books or book chapters) are welcome, as are a wide range of other formats and outcomes. Applicants should review recent awards made by the MHE to learn more about what we fund.
Funding Tracks
Clearing Grants
This track is suitable for smaller projects or discrete phases of larger ones. Clearing Grants provide funding to (for example) help wrap up fieldwork, complete interviews, finalize creative writing, or cover specific expenses like equipment, materials, or travel costs. Funding requests must clearly align with project expenses.
Award Amount: $500–$3,000
Wilderness Inspiration Fellowship
This track supports larger or more ambitious projects with the potential for lasting impact. Whether you are writing a book, conducting an in-depth journalistic investigation, developing an oral history archive, or creating an art or multimedia exhibit, this fellowship is designed to provide the space and support to pursue a passion project. Priority is given to proposals that result in durable outcomes that contribute to public understanding of wilderness.
Award Amount: Up to $6,500
How to Apply
Clearing Grant
Submit:
- A two-page proposal describing the project, goals, relevance to MHE’s purpose, intended beneficiaries, and a project timeline.
- A detailed budget (up to $3,000).
- A resume or CV outlining relevant qualifications and experience. Students and early-career applicants without a publication or creative scholarship record are encouraged to apply.
Wilderness Inspiration Fellowship
Submit:
- A four-page proposal that addresses:
- Project overview.
- How the project advances the protection, enhancement, or understanding of wilderness or wildlands in Montana.
- Anticipated outcomes or products and plans for dissemination.
- How the project will continue to promote wilderness five years after completion.
- Why MHE support is needed.
- A resume or CV outlining relevant qualifications and experience. Students and early-career applicants without a publication or creative scholarship record are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility
- Awards are made to individuals only.
- Organizations, government entities, corporations, nonprofits, and institutions are ineligible.
- Projects must demonstrate a clear connection to wilderness and wildlands and clearly meet the eligibility criteria.
Proposals are due Friday, March 20, 2026 by 5:00 PM MDT.