The Garden Club of Virginia was founded in 1920 by eight Virginia garden clubs to promote and conserve the natural beauty of Virginia and to challenge the public and future generations to join its preservation efforts. One of the club's many preservation programs is the Research Fellowship program which began in 1996. This initiative gives graduate students an opportunity to conduct research in three fields of study: conservation, environmental affairs, and landscape architecture. The program helps to document historic Virginia garden and landscape sites through two fellowships, the Rudy J. Favretti Fellowship and the William D. Rieley Fellowship, offered annually and guided by professionals in the fellows' area of study. Students are given three months and a stipend to research and compile documentation in a final report, which is then published by the Garden Club of Virginia. The fellowship promotes conservation and restoration of historic gardens and landscapes, while offering research and field experience to students preparing for their professional careers.