2026 EDGE Fellowship – Now Accepting Applications

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is now accepting functions for the 2026 EDGE Fellowship, a prestigious 28-month programme designed to assist early-career conservationists from lower- and middle-income international locations. The EDGE Fellowship goals to strengthen, diversify, and empower a brand new technology of conservation leaders who will advance efforts to guard the planet’s most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species.

The programme will run from January 2026 to May 2028, with the application window closing at 23:59 BST on 21 July 2025. This is a novel alternative for conservationists trying to lead impactful initiatives in their very own international locations and safe the way forward for among the world’s most original and threatened species.

About the EDGE Fellowship

EDGE species are those who have few or no shut family members on the evolutionary tree and are going through an especially excessive danger of extinction. These species are sometimes ignored by conventional conservation efforts, making them among the many most susceptible on Earth.

The EDGE Fellowship is a key initiative by ZSL to construct conservation capability the place it’s wanted most. The programme identifies and trains passionate people engaged on EDGE species to guide progressive conservation actions. Over the 28-month fellowship interval, chosen fellows obtain in depth assist to implement their very own conservation initiatives in-country.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected EDGE Fellows obtain a variety {of professional} improvement and monetary assist, together with:

• At least £10,000 in grant funding to implement a conservation mission targeted on an EDGE species.

• Six weeks of in-person coaching, together with:

  • A four-week Conservation Tools Course that gives important discipline expertise, knowledge assortment methods, and neighborhood engagement methods.

  • A two-week superior Conservation Impact Course specializing in strategic planning, mission monitoring, management, and communication.

• Dedicated mentorship from ZSL’s world community of conservationists, researchers, and professionals.

• Project funds administration coaching and steerage in securing extra funding by way of proposal writing and fundraising assist.

• Professional teaching alternatives to boost management and conservation affect.

This complete assist bundle is designed not solely to assist fellows succeed in the course of the fellowship interval but additionally to construct long-term capability for continued conservation management of their areas.

Who Should Apply?

The EDGE Fellowship is open to early-career conservationists who meet the next standards:

• Nationality: You have to be a nationwide of a lower- or middle-income nation the place the goal EDGE species happens.

• Experience: You will need to have fewer than ten years of paid conservation expertise.

• Focus: Your proposed mission should concentrate on a species listed on the EDGE Species List.

Applicants are strongly inspired to seek the advice of the EDGE Species List on the ZSL web site to make sure eligibility. A stable dedication to biodiversity safety, native engagement, and scientific integrity can be key choice standards.

Selection and Training

Fellows can be chosen by way of a aggressive, merit-based course of that evaluates the applicant’s potential, mission relevance, and dedication to conservation. The preliminary coaching course can be held in early 2026, with additional mentoring {and professional} assist persevering with all through the mission period.

Participants are anticipated to decide to all components of the fellowship, together with the preliminary coaching course, common mission updates, and end-of-fellowship reporting.

Application Process

To apply, eligible candidates should full an internet application kind accessible on the official EDGE of Existence web site. Applications ought to embrace:

• A accomplished mission proposal outlining the deliberate conservation actions.

• Information concerning the focal EDGE species.

• A private assertion describing the applicant’s background, motivation, and targets.

• A present CV/resume.

• Reference letters can also be required.

Incomplete functions or these acquired after the deadline won’t be thought of.

Deadline

All functions have to be submitted no later than 21 July 2025 at 23:59 (BST). Early submission is extremely advisable.

Learn More and Apply

To be taught extra concerning the EDGE Fellowship and entry the application kind, go to the official website.

For extra questions, seek the advice of the FAQs part on the web site or contact the EDGE staff instantly at edge@zsl.org

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For extra world alternatives like this, go to the Opportunities for Youth web site.