Call for Applications: 2026 Future Conservationist Award (secure project funding of up to 15,000 USD)
The 2026 Future Conservationist Award is now open for applications, offering an opportunity for early-career conservationists to secure project funding of up to 15,000 USD along with access to a global support ecosystem.
Applicants must submit through the official online portal by January 9, 2026.
This award provides essential support for emerging conservation leaders, enabling them to design and deliver impactful initiatives that contribute to the protection of globally threatened species and the strengthening of community-led conservation efforts.
In addition to financial support, awardees join a global Alumni Network that offers continued training, mentorship and professional development resources geared toward advancing long-term conservation careers.
Funding and Support
Award recipients gain access not only to project funding but also to a sustained network of conservation experts, training opportunities and collaborative support. This combination of financial and professional development assistance is intended to strengthen local and national conservation capacity and to empower teams to adopt evidence-based, community-rooted and contextually relevant approaches to conservation challenges.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants are required to meet a set of core eligibility conditions to ensure alignment with the program’s conservation priorities.
- Proposed projects must focus on the protection of species classified by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Data Deficient, or species for which there is clear evidence indicating an urgent conservation need.
- Projects may engage with themes such as climate impact and adaptation, habitat restoration and management, social development and community wellbeing, Indigenous community participation, or environmental policy.
- Project duration must range between three and twelve months.
- Projects must occur in an eligible country, and applicants are advised to consult the official Application Guidelines for the complete list.
- Each project team must include a minimum of three members.
- All team members must be early in their careers with no more than five years of professional conservation experience.
- Team members must be nationals of the country where project activities will take place, with the exception that one team member may be a non-national if the application demonstrates clear justification.
Project Team Expectations
Teams are expected to demonstrate strong local engagement, a commitment to evidence-based conservation and a clear strategy addressing both ecological and community dimensions of the conservation challenge.
Proposals should reflect local knowledge, collaborative effort and the potential for long-term positive impact. The award seeks to support initiatives that not only address immediate threats but also contribute to enduring conservation capacity within the region.
Application Process
Applicants must submit their complete applications through the official online portal. Supporting documents, proposal details and full eligibility guidance are available through the program’s Application Guidelines and Help and Resources materials, which provide extensive support for developing competitive proposals. Only applications submitted through the portal will be reviewed.
Visit Official Website Here
Additional Information
Prospective applicants are encouraged to review examples of previously supported projects to gain insight into the types of initiatives funded through this award. These examples highlight a diverse range of conservation approaches, local innovations and successful outcomes initiated by early-career practitioners.
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
