When and how do I apply?
The application begins with a discussion with the WFI Director, Sara Wu. After discussing your project briefly, please send us a brief project proposal.

Projects submitted to WFI must meet the following requirements:

• The project should take advantage of being located in the Pacific Northwest. Elements of the project must involve collaboration with PNW forest industry, local organizations, researchers, or communities, etc.
• The project should include elements from both the Fellow's home country and the US. For example, the project could make a comparison/contrast case study from examples in both countries.
• The project must be able to be completed within the time frame that the Fellow will be here. WFI does not fund work that occurs in locations other than at our center.
• WFI does not fund field trials as we do not have laboratory facilities available at our location.  Most Fellows conduct projects that involve collecting qualitative data and involve surveys, interviews, literature review, shadowing, conferences, and networking.
• The project must have a tangible outcome, such as a report, manual, poster session, or an event (conference).

Please limit your proposal to 3 pages and organize in the following sections:

1. Fellow Name and Background Information
2. Timeline
3. Project Title
4. Project Background (description of the context)
5. Project Objectives (what will be learned and gained from this experience)
6. Project Methods  
7. Project Outcome and Use (such as a report, manual, poster session, or event)
8. Please attach a letter of support from the Sponsoring Agency/Foundation/Company that will provide financial support for the Fellowship. The cost for a 12 month program is as follows: Fellowship Fee = $20,000; Visa Fee = $2,100; Airfare = varies. Shorter Fellowships are pro-rated. A matching grant from the Harry A. Merlo Foundation can pay for 50% of the Fellowship and Visa fee only. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure the remainder of the funding.

When does the Fellowship begin and end?
We bring Fellows in all year. Because many Fellows are sponsored by their employer, they each have different beginning and end times depending up on their availability. If you are planning for a full year Fellowship, the start date is unimportant. If planning for a shorter Fellowship, we recommend that your stay encompass the summer months (June through October). During the summer months more site visits are scheduled due to drier weather.

What is expected from me when I apply?
Your project proposal should clearly outline your learning objectives (see above). We know that in the course of your time here, you may have to adapt your proposal and that is fine. You will also need to secure at least half of the funding for your Fellowship. We also recommend securing supplemental funding for items not covered by the program (such as travel). Aside from that, an open attitude, initiative and rain gear!

When can I apply?
We accept applications year round. We recommend that you contact us first, by email, phone, or letter, to discuss your interests before sending in your project proposal..

How long does the application process take?
This varies greatly, depending on whether the applicant has secured all the necessary funding, has developed a primary project proposal with their sponsor, and has completed the visa application process (which is usually handled by a third party and can take between 6-8 weeks).