Grant opportunity

Whitley Awards 2027

Flagship awards helping grassroots conservation leaders in the Global South scale proven solutions that benefit biodiversity, communities and climate.

AwardConservationGlobal SouthBiodiversityCommunityClimate
Funder
Whitley Fund for Nature
Applications close 30 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT
Applications close 30 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT: Oct 30, 2026
Award
GBP 50,000 project funding for one year
Applicant
Dynamic mid-career conservation leaders who are nationals of the country where they lead a proven, science-based, locally incorporated and community-embedded wildlife conservation project.
Discipline
Environment, Climate and Natural Resources
Region
Global South
Posted
Aug 12, 2026

Call summary

Overview

Winners receive funding, international profile, professional communications support, peer learning and entry to a global conservation-leader network.

Who can apply

Applicants should lead an established team and demonstrate prior success, measurable conservation outcomes, local stakeholder participation, scientific evidence, scalability and a strong need for the award.

What it supports

  • Community-based wildlife conservation
  • Scaling proven grassroots action
  • Science-based and measurable biodiversity outcomes

Funding and duration

  • GBP 50,000 for a one-year project
  • Training, media support, international visibility and alumni funding pathways

Applications close 30 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT

Applications close 30 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT: Oct 30, 2026

How to apply

Create an account in the official WFN portal, complete the current form and templates, and arrange for three eligible referees to submit references by the deadline.

Call details

Source-based overview

Whitley Awards recognise leaders whose local knowledge, track record and community relationships position them to deliver lasting, practical conservation impact at scale.

Eligibility

Applicants should lead an established team and demonstrate prior success, measurable conservation outcomes, local stakeholder participation, scientific evidence, scalability and a strong need for the award.

Funding and benefits

GBP 50,000 for a one-year project

Training, media support, international visibility and alumni funding pathways

Themes and supported activities

Community-based wildlife conservation

Scaling proven grassroots action

Science-based and measurable biodiversity outcomes

Deadline and timeline

Applications close 30 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT: Applications close 30 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT: Oct 30, 2026.

Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.

How to apply

Create an account in the official WFN portal, complete the current form and templates, and arrange for three eligible referees to submit references by the deadline.

Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.