Conservation Leadership Programme: 2026 Future Conservationist Award

The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) is now accepting functions for its 2026 Future Conservationist Award, a worldwide initiative that helps early-career conservation professionals from eligible low- and middle-income international locations. CLP supplies monetary assist, coaching, mentorship, and entry to a worldwide community of conservation practitioners.

• Who Can Apply: Early-career conservationists (≤5 years expertise) in eligible low- and middle-income international locations
• Team Requirement: Minimum 3 members, primarily nationals of the undertaking nation
• Grant Amount: Up to USD 15,000
• Project Duration: 3–12 months
• Deadline: January 9, 2026

Since 1985, CLP has helped rising conservation leaders perform impactful biodiversity initiatives, develop technical expertise, and advance long-term conservation careers. Awarded groups undertake initiatives that tackle pressing environmental challenges involving threatened species, precedence habitats, and group engagement.

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Award Details

The Future Conservationist Award supplies:

• Up to USD 15,000 in undertaking funding
• Comprehensive conservation management coaching
• Long-term mentorship from conservation specialists
• Access to the CLP Alumni Network
• Opportunities to construct expertise in ecological analysis, conservation motion, and undertaking administration
• Potential eligibility for future CLP Continuation Awards

Projects should give attention to conservation of worldwide threatened or data-deficient species, local weather adaptation, habitat restoration, Indigenous engagement, environmental coverage, group wellbeing, or associated themes. Projects should be newly developed and run for 3 to 12 months.

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Eligibility

Team Eligibility

• Teams should have no less than three members.
• All staff members should be nationals of the undertaking nation (one non-national could also be included with justification).
• Participants should be early-career conservationists with not more than 5 years {of professional} conservation expertise.
• Team members can’t be workers or contractors of CLP accomplice organizations (BirdLife, Fauna & Flora, WCS).
• No minimal schooling stage required.
• Teams from underrepresented teams are strongly inspired to apply.

Project Eligibility

• Projects should happen in eligible low- and middle-income international locations.
• Funding requested from CLP should be not more than USD 15,000 and canopy no less than 50% of the undertaking finances.
• Projects should produce tangible conservation outcomes linked to species in danger (CR, EN, VU, DD).
• Proposals should replicate new work, not continuation of an present undertaking.
• Applications should be written in English and submitted by way of the CLP on-line portal.
• Academic analysis for a level just isn’t eligible except it goes clearly past tutorial necessities.

Country Eligibility

Projects should happen in eligible low- and middle-income international locations in:

• Africa
• Asia
• Pacific
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Eastern and Southeastern Europe
• Middle East

High-income Caribbean and Pacific Island nations might also apply.
A full record of eligible and ineligible international locations is out there within the official guidelines.

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What Successful Proposals Demonstrate

Applications are evaluated on:

• Feasibility
• Technical capability to ship
• Conservation affect
• Contribution to variety, fairness, and inclusion

Strong proposals embrace sensible fieldwork, group involvement, SMART targets, use of precedence conservation websites, stakeholder engagement, and clear outcomes for species and habitats.

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How to Apply

Applications should be submitted on-line via the CLP portal.

Required steps:

1. Review the complete tips earlier than beginning the application.
2. Submit the proposal in English via the CLP on-line portal.
3. Ensure the undertaking meets all eligibility necessities.
4. Use the Step-by-Step information and guidelines supplied by CLP.
5. Seek suggestions from CLP Alumni Reviewers (obtainable November 10–December 5).
6. Finalize and submit earlier than the deadline.

Application Deadline: January 9, 2026
(11:59 p.m. GMT; no late submissions accepted)

Apply here

 

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Conservationist Award supplies early-career conservationists with vital funding, coaching, and mentorship to implement impactful biodiversity initiatives in eligible international locations. With as much as USD 15,000 in assist and entry to a worldwide professional community, this program strengthens native conservation management and empowers groups to guard species and habitats below menace. Eligible groups with robust undertaking concepts and a dedication to conservation are inspired to apply by January 9, 2026.

 

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