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 WWF Train Fellowship opportunities are for conservationists looking to pursue graduate degree study. In 2023-24, WWF is offering this fellowship opportunity:
 

• To view the Guidelines for the 2023 WWF Train Fellowships for Current and Aspiring University Faculty Click here

 As a reminder: This application is for individuals applying for WWF Train Fellowship opportunities to pursue a PhD degree. 

2024 Fellowship: Conservation Science Capacity and Leadership 

Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Uganda

Call for Applications 

WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature (EFN) Program invites applications from the current and next generation of conservation scientists, leaders and practitioners to pursue graduate level studies (Masters degree) focused on dimensions of Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) and coexistence in Uganda. The growth of human populations combined with expansion of settlements and agricultural land has increasingly resulted in widespread conflicts between people and wildlife. Long-term resolution of human—wildlife conflict and co-existence calls for effective multifaceted, interdisciplinary, practical and socio-culturally relevant approaches and solutions. This competitive fellowship aims to strengthen the in-country capacity of outstanding and well-trained experts, natural and social scientists, and practitioners to undertake academic and field-based training to address issues of human-wildlife conflicts. 

The masters fellowship is open to Ugandan nationals enrolled in, admitted to, or have applied to a master’s program at an accredited institution of study in Uganda and that already possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (i.e., biology, ecology, conservation, zoology, geography). The masters research will focus on developing solutions for human-elephant conflict that is triggered by elephant crop-raiding of agricultural lands around the northern border of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda.

 As a reminder: This application is for individuals applying for a fellowship opportunities to pursue a Masters degree.

Please see Full Guidelines here 

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grant
Call for Proposal Submissions

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 proposals should target diverse audiences involved in addressing social and environmental issues associated with the execution and management of conservation and development initiatives, particularly with a focus on WWF key goals including climate, food, forests, freshwater, oceans, and wildlife.
The proposed activities should be completed before February 2025 and applicants may request up to US$ 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 December 18, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.


Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all 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 February 2025.
• 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.
• Organizations must commit to support work that is focused on WWF’s six ambitious goals including climate, food, forests, freshwater, oceans, and wildlife.

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

Please see full guidelines here

For all inquiries and questions about Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grants, please contact efn@wwfus.org

Cassagnol Fellowship
Call for Proposal Submissions
Through WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN), the Cassagnol Fellowship will offer seed funding for EFN alumni to lead innovative programs that promote long-term outreach and capacity building in their areas of research, education, and training. The Cassagnol Fellowship aims to build on the 27 years of WWF’s long-term capacity development success by supporting promising conservation leaders who enhance co-development of initiatives that amplify local ownership, ensure sustainability of solutions, and foster robust capacities to better address conservation and development challenges.
Applications are invited from EFN alumni that have a proven record of developing capacity and can demonstrate a commitment to promoting high impact academic and conservation research and outreach for emerging leaders. An applicant should have completed their PhD or master’s degree and hold an appointment in either a university, research, government, or non-government institution in Africa, Latin America, or Asia. This includes those with a commitment of appointment at the time of application.


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 December 18, 2023 at 11:59pm ET. 

The WWF Train Fellowship opportunities are for conservationists looking to pursue graduate degree study. In 2023-24, WWF is offering this fellowship opportunity:

 

• To view the Guidelines for the 2023 WWF Train Fellowships for Sustainable Food Systems  Click here

 As a reminder: This application is for individuals applying for WWF Train Fellowship opportunities to pursue a master's and PhD study.