The WWF Train Fellowship opportunities are for conservationists looking to pursue graduate degree study. In 2026, WWF is offering this fellowship opportunity:
- To view the Guidelines for the 2026 WWF Train Conservation Futures Fellowship Click here
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As a reminder: This application is for individuals applying for WWF Train Fellowship opportunities to pursue a master's and PhD study.
The deadline to submit an application is April 15, 2026 by 11:59 PM US Eastern Time. Applicants may apply for funding for a duration of up to two years for master’s degree programs and up to three years for PhD programs, requesting up to $30,000 per year. This funding can cover a range of expenses, including tuition and fees, living costs, books and materials, as well as research-related expenses. The final amount approved will vary based on the specifics of each individual proposal.
Notifications of acceptance will be communicated in July 2026.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grant
WWF’s Russell E Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) invites proposals focused on collaborative capacity building related to (i) environmental and social impacts and risks of development projects on ecosystems and their services and (ii) enhancing inclusive conservation and sustainable development. The Environmental and Social Impact Grant aims to provide competitive financial support to teams and institutions working in Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar focusing on enhancing capacities to address environmental and social impact assessment capacity building needs with an emphasis on local communities and local practitioners.
The capacities to achieve social, environmental and governance standards are still inadequate in many countries. International institutions and non-governmental organizations often rely on consultants to fill this gap, fulfilling requirements for due diligence, but not creating local ownership and therefore making implementation more difficult. Collectively strengthening capacities of country systems is crucial in ensuring ownership and accountability.
This approach involves taking into account environmental and social risks while putting in place both direct mitigation measures and adaptation measures that are attuned to the long-term vision of inclusive conservation and sustainable development. In the last 30 years, EFN has been at the forefront of advancing research, training, and education through the provision of funds to individuals and institutions to address critical challenges facing biodiversity conservation in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. WWF recognizes the urgency to continue strengthening institutional mechanisms and abilities to advance contributions of national institutions, local communities and organizations, and youth, who often are ill-equipped to drive and achieve the goals of addressing environmental and social impacts. With support from Charlotte Bingham, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grant seeks to build capacity and empower communities to achieve development objectives and inclusive conservation with projects that robustly address environmental and social issues.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria to be considered for a grant:
- Organization must be legally registered in an eligible country (Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar).
- Teams or organizations must have a track record in capacity building related to environmental and social impacts, application thereof to local activities related to conservation and development; and ability to monitor results.
- Organization must submit all required documents by the application deadline.
- Organization must complete all grant activities before December 2027.
- The proposals must include active learning, practical skill components, mentoring and/or field-based learning activity that build skills and knowledge for local stakeholders, institutions and networks. Priority is given to local organizations that focus on addressing challenges of development that affect ecosystems and their services and enhancing sustainable development and conservation.
Selection Criteria
Project proposals will undergo a rigorous and competitive selection process and scored based on a set of criteria including, but not limited to the following score areas:
- Proposed objectives and goals - the proposed work demonstrates an understanding of the rationale, the proposed activities are feasible within the proposed work plan, and the budget is realistic.
- Project impact – both short- and long-term impacts as well as far-reaching outcomes on environmental and social sustainability beyond proposed timeframe whilst taking into consideration a risk assessment; Contribution to capacity development and ecological and social outcomes.
- Project measurability - the proposed initiative has measurable outcomes and outputs.
- Project scalability and transferability - the proposed activities can be scaled to context specific and are replicable.
- Collaborations - projects that enhance partnerships with a clear outline of each stakeholders’ role in delivering the proposed objectives
The call for applications will close on April 15, 2026 by 11:59 PM US Eastern Time
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For all inquiries and questions about Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grants, please contact efn@wwfus.org
Despite demands placed on biodiversity to meet current and future societal needs, capacity deficits in many places around the globe continue to be evident and include insufficient resources to sustain individual and organizational capacities, limiting the ability to build local conservation leadership. Efforts to foster and maintain conservation capacity have included the development of core competencies, provision of resources, support for education, research, and training and establishment of institutions. However, the complexity of balancing loss of biodiversity with development combined with widening inequalities in capacity continues to demonstrate that achieving inclusive conservation and sustainable development requires scaling up and across to deliver individual, institutional, and community capacities. At this critical moment in time, when biodiversity is faced with growing threats, we require support for individuals and systems to continuously meet the surge in capacity and close the gap between capacity needs and delivery. Reflecting on three decades of EFN work, the Cassagnol Fellowship creates an opportunity to deliver on the lesson that supporting conservation leaders at their home country universities, research centers, and conservation projects creates lasting opportunities for co-development and collaboration, and therefore ensures longevity of solutions while also sustaining the pipeline of conservation leaders.
Eligibility Criteria
The Cassagnol Fellowship is established for EFN alumni who intend to continue/return to work in higher education/academia, conservation research and outreach. Fellows will be selected based on academic and conservation research, outreach track record in their fields, and commitment to further the professional development of emerging conservation leaders.
- Applicants must have completed their respective doctoral or master’s programs at institutions from anywhere around the world (preference given to those who have received EFN support within the past five years). PhD and master’s degree holders who currently hold an academic or research appointment, which will be active through the duration of the fellowship are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must have received a PhD/master’s degree or equivalent doctoral/master’s level research degree (preference given to those who completed their degrees within the past five years) in any discipline with strategic focus on conservation.
- Applicants who have not yet formally received their degree must present evidence of having completed the academic requirements before commencing the fellowship.
- Applicants must identify a mentor to support research and scholarly work. They should also identify a second mentor at their home institution. Both mentors are required to submit letters of recommendation during the application process.
- Applicants must have support from their institutions to pursue a 12-month fellowship appointment.
- Applicants must have an academic or research appointment in an eligible country Additionally, a letter of support from the institution should be included at the time of application.
Selection Criteria
Final fellowship recipients will be identified through a competitive selection process and scored based on a set of criteria including, but not limited to the following areas:
- Academic achievement - fellows with strong PhD and master’s degree achievement who are actively conducting conservation research and capacity development.
- Strength and quality of proposal - uniqueness of the concept, relevance, and detailed plan of action, the proposed work demonstrates an understanding of the rationale, the proposed activities are feasible within the proposed work plan, and the budget is realistic.
- Individual and collective impact - applicant’s ability to succeed in conservation research and the development of capacities for emerging leaders; short and long-term impacts as well as far-reaching outcomes beyond proposed timeframe whilst taking into consideration a risk assessment; Contribution to and advancement of innovative programs in their field of study.
- Demonstration of commitment, inclusivity, and leadership.
- Project measurability - the proposed initiative has measurable outcomes and outputs.
- Collaborations - projects that enhance partnerships with a clear outline of each stakeholders’ role in delivering the proposed objectives.
- Recommendation letters and commitment to fellows’ advancement in the proposed work.
Please see Full guidelines here The fellowship covers a duration of 12 months and applicants may request up to $15,000. Please note that funding will vary and proposals should provide strong justification for all budgetary items. Applications must be submitted through the online portal by April 15, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.
EFN Alumni Grants support ongoing education, training, and research opportunities for former Russell E. Train Fellows, Russell E. Train Scholars, and Professional Development Grant recipients who have completed the terms of their WWF grant contract and meet all of the eligibility criteria necessary to be considered for a grant.
Please review our eligibility criteria here
The application deadline is April 15, 2026 by 11:59 PM US Eastern Time.