Deadline: 10-Jun-2026
The EDGE Fellowship Programme supports early-career conservationists working to protect evolutionarily distinct and globally threatened species through funding, mentorship, and training. It focuses on locally led biodiversity conservation projects and provides a GBP 15,000 grant along with 28 months of capacity-building support. The programme prioritizes applicants from biodiversity-rich countries outside the G12, EU, New Zealand, and South Korea.
Overview of the EDGE Fellowship Programme
The EDGE Fellowship Programme is a long-term conservation leadership initiative designed to strengthen early-career conservationists working on highly threatened and evolutionarily distinct species. It combines training, funding, mentorship, and technical support to help fellows design and implement locally led conservation projects.
The programme emphasizes conservation action for EDGE species—those that are both evolutionarily unique and at high risk of extinction.
Objectives of the Fellowship
The programme aims to build global conservation leadership while protecting overlooked and endangered species.
Key objectives include:
- Protecting evolutionarily distinct and globally threatened (EDGE) species
- Supporting locally led biodiversity conservation initiatives
- Strengthening conservation leadership among early-career professionals
- Enhancing project planning and management skills in conservation
- Promoting science communication and community engagement
- Supporting long-term, sustainable conservation strategies
- Building capacity in biodiversity-rich but under-resourced regions
Programme Structure and Duration
The EDGE Fellowship is a structured, long-term capacity-building programme.
Programme features include:
- Duration: 28 months
- In-person training: 6 weeks of structured training
- Annual cohorts: minimum of 14 Fellows per cohort (from 2027 onward)
- Geographic focus: countries outside G12, EU, New Zealand, and South Korea
- Continuous mentorship and professional development throughout the fellowship
Funding and Support Provided
Selected Fellows receive financial and technical support to implement conservation projects.
Support package includes:
- Project implementation grant: GBP 15,000
- Six weeks of in-person training
- Ongoing mentorship and technical guidance
- Professional development support
- Assistance in developing a detailed conservation project plan
Focus Areas of the Programme
The fellowship supports conservation projects focused on species and ecosystem protection.
Key focus areas include:
- Conservation of EDGE species
- Biodiversity protection and habitat conservation
- Locally led conservation action
- Community engagement and stakeholder collaboration
- Conservation project design and management
- Science communication and outreach
- Long-term conservation planning and sustainability
- Leadership development in conservation practice
Eligibility Criteria
The programme is designed for early-career conservationists with strong local connections to their project areas.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be early-career conservationists
- Lead conservation action for an eligible EDGE species
- Be nationals or long-term residents of the project country
- Have strong local or regional ties to the project landscape
- Demonstrate clear conservation need for the proposed project
- Be committed to training, mentorship, and peer learning
Additional eligibility notes:
- Applicants must come from countries outside the G12, EU, New Zealand, and South Korea
- Projects must be locally led and context-specific
Selection Priorities
Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate:
- Strong commitment to conservation leadership
- Clear understanding of local biodiversity challenges
- Practical readiness to implement field-based conservation work
- Strong engagement with local communities and stakeholders
- Alignment with EDGE species conservation priorities
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the EDGE Fellowship Programme?
- It is a 28-month conservation leadership programme supporting early-career conservationists working to protect evolutionarily distinct and globally threatened species.
- What funding is provided?
- Selected fellows receive:
- GBP 15,000 project grant
- Training and mentorship support
- Technical and professional development assistance
- Selected fellows receive:
- Who can apply?
- Eligible applicants include:
- Early-career conservationists
- Nationals or long-term residents of the project country
- Individuals from countries outside the G12, EU, New Zealand, and South Korea
- Eligible applicants include:
- What are EDGE species?
- EDGE species are:
- Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species
- Species with high conservation priority due to uniqueness and threat level
- EDGE species are:
- What is the duration of the programme?
- The fellowship runs for:
- 28 months total
- Including 6 weeks of in-person training
- The fellowship runs for:
- What kind of projects are supported?
- Supported projects include:
- Locally led biodiversity conservation initiatives
- Species protection and habitat conservation
- Community-based conservation strategies
- Conservation planning and implementation projects
- Supported projects include:
- What are the main selection criteria?
- Applicants must show:
- Strong local relevance and residency
- Commitment to conservation leadership
- Clear need for species protection
- Willingness to engage in training and mentorship
- Applicants must show:
Conclusion
The EDGE Fellowship Programme builds the next generation of conservation leaders by supporting early-career professionals working on highly threatened and evolutionarily distinct species. Through funding, training, and mentorship, it strengthens locally led conservation efforts and promotes long-term biodiversity protection in high-priority ecosystems worldwide.
For more information, visit EDGE.