Deadline: 31-Oct-2025
Nominations are now open for the Whitley Award, which funds grassroots conservation leaders in the Global South and shines an international spotlight on their work. Winners receive £50,000 GBP in project funding over one year to support their conservation efforts.
The award targets leaders from countries not classified as High-Income Economies by the World Bank, with some exceptions like Equatorial Guinea and certain Caribbean island nations. Applicants must be nationals of the country where they work or have lived there for at least 15 years with strong ties and commitment to the region. The focus is on grassroots conservationists who are embedded in or originate from the communities they serve.
Applicants should work for or lead locally incorporated NGOs in the Global South. Staff from NGOs headquartered in High-Income countries are unlikely to be shortlisted unless there are exceptional circumstances. Locally incorporated branches of international NGOs may qualify if they have fully local teams and lack other funding sources.
Whitley Award winners are good communicators and passionate individuals who inspire others, collaborate, and share their results. English language proficiency is required. The award recognizes leadership supported by a strong team or organization; solo applicants or joint entries are not eligible.
Projects must be based on scientific evidence and understanding, either from the leader, the team, or partners. Work must involve and benefit local communities and stakeholders. Preference is given to ecosystem or landscape-level projects rather than species-specific ones, although genuine flagship species projects are accepted.
The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) does not fund projects in High-Income Economies or expatriate leaders, as the award is designed to champion local leaders. Pure academic research, MSc/PhD fieldwork, expeditions, and conference attendance are also ineligible. The award prioritizes applied research with tangible conservation impact.
For more information, visit WFN.
