Call for Applications: 2026 Future Conservationist Awards (Up to $15,000 Funding)

The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) has formally opened the decision for functions for the 2026 Future Conservationist Awards. Early-career conservationists from eligible nations are invited to apply for challenge grants of up to USD $15,000 by the deadline January 9, 2026.

These awards present extra than simply funding. Successful candidates be a part of CLP’s famend world Alumni Network, gaining entry to long-term skilled help together with mentorship, coaching, peer studying, technical steering, and alternatives for further continuation awards.

If you’re dedicated to conserving globally threatened species, empowering native communities, and constructing your management within the conservation sector, this is without doubt one of the most prestigious early-career alternatives obtainable worldwide.

About the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP)

The Conservation Leadership Programme is a globally revered initiative collectively managed by BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. CLP nurtures rising conservation leaders by means of:

• Capacity-building coaching

• Long-term mentorship and profession help

• Seed funding for conservation tasks

• Opportunities for networking and collaboration

• Access to skilled advisors and alumni reviewers

Since 1985, CLP has supported 1000’s of younger conservationists in biodiversity-rich nations, contributing to new species discoveries, the creation of protected areas, conservation coverage enhancements, and the institution of native NGOs.

The Future Conservationist Award helps early-career conservation groups conducting high-impact discipline tasks centered on saving species and ecosystems in danger. Each award supplies:

• Up to USD $15,000 in challenge funding

• Professional steering from CLP workers and companions

• A spot in CLP’s worldwide coaching programme

• Access to a worldwide alumni community of conservation leaders

Projects should mix analysis, conservation motion, and neighborhood engagement, and should end in tangible, measurable conservation outcomes.

January 9, 2026 (11:59 PM GMT)
All functions should be submitted by means of the CLP on-line application portal.
Applications submitted by e mail will not be accepted.

1. Species Focus

• Proposed tasks should be centered on defending species categorised by the IUCN Red List as globally threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable) or Data Deficient, or when there may be info indicating the necessity for pressing conservation motion.

Themes could embody:

• Climate adaptation and resilience

• Habitat restoration or administration

• Social improvement and neighborhood wellbeing

• Indigenous participation and rights

• Environmental governance or coverage

2. Country Eligibility

Projects should happen in a CLP-eligible low- or middle-income nation.
High-income Caribbean and Pacific Island nations are additionally eligible.
A full checklist of eligible and ineligible nations is out there within the CLP Guidelines.

3. Team Requirements

• Minimum three staff members

• All staff members should be nationals of the challenge nation (one non-national allowed if clearly justified)

• Each staff member will need to have not more than 5 years {of professional} conservation expertise

• No minimal training degree required

• Team should exhibit range, inclusion, and shared management potential

4. Project Requirements

• Duration: 3–12 months

• CLP funding should cowl a minimum of 50% of the whole finances

• Must be new work, not a continuation of an current challenge

• Must go past tutorial analysis, with clear conservation motion

• Must embody a principle of change, SMART objectives, and a possible methodology

• Field analysis should hyperlink to long-term conservation motion and native priorities

1. Applications should be submitted by way of the online application portal by January 9, 2026.

2. Review all CLP Guidelines, together with eligibility standards and the step-by-step application information.

3. Use the guidelines offered within the portal to strengthen your application.

4. Ensure all info is full, clear, and written in English.

5. Contact CLP or alumni reviewers early in case you want suggestions or clarification.

For questions, e mail: clp@birdlife.org

• Scholarships or tutorial tuition

• Conference attendance

• Consultant charges

• Captive breeding or gene storage

• Projects initiated by a CLP companion organisation

• Plagiarized or fraudulent proposals

Applications are evaluated in 4 key areas:

1. Feasibility

• Clear, practical goals

• Strong strategies

• Cost-efficient finances

• Evidence of help from native establishments and communities

2. Technical Capacity

• Skillset and management potential of staff members

• Support from skilled advisors

• Ethical and acceptable analysis strategies

3. Conservation Impact

• Contribution to native, nationwide, or world conservation priorities

• Benefits to native communities

• Long-term conservation outcomes

4. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

• Inclusive stakeholder engagement

• Representation of marginalized teams

• Participatory approaches in challenge actions

• Equal alternatives for all staff members

CLP supplies a number of instruments to help candidates:

• Step-by-Step Application Guidelines

• Conservation Project Manual (obtainable in a number of languages)

• Institutional Fundraising Manual

• YouTube movies explaining eligibility and customary errors

• CLP Alumni Reviewers (obtainable Nov 10 – Dec 5, 2025)

Successful candidates acquire:

• Seed funding to launch or broaden impactful conservation tasks

• Professional progress by means of hands-on management expertise

• Access to world-class trainers and conservation consultants

• A lifelong world community of conservation professionals

• Opportunities for follow-up funding by means of CLP’s Continuation Awards

See the checklist of tasks beforehand supported by CLP to encourage your proposal and perceive the programme’s influence. (Insert hyperlink in your web site as wanted.)

Final Reminder

Application Deadline: January 9, 2026
Submit early to keep away from technical points and guarantee sufficient time for suggestions and revisions. Applications should be submitted by way of the online application portal by January 9, 2026.

Please seek the advice of the detailed application guidelines and eligibility criteria and our Help & Resources for info on the help we provide to candidates whereas finishing your application.

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