Deadline: December 18, 2025, 11:59 PM US Eastern Time
WWF’s Russell E. Train Educa7on for Nature Program (EFN) provides funding support to current and aspiring university faculty that are affiliated with or currently employed at African, Asian, and Latin American and Caribbean universities. This opportunity is for doctoral degree study in natural and social science and other conservation-related fields. Strong university faculty is fundamental for effective exchange of knowledge, expertise and skills, and leadership. Faculty members inspire and mentor students, design curricula, promote learning and idea sharing, lead and collaborate on research, and disseminate scientific outcomes.
Focus Areas
The fellowship aims to bridge academic excellence and conserva7on research to provide hands-on experience, learning, and training opportuni7es. The proposed research topics may cover a wide range of themes. Finalists 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 and professional contributions/potential: applicant’s commitment to their academic, research, and professional development.
- Strength and quality of the research proposal: uniqueness of proposed topic, relevance, and detailed plan of action. The proposed work demonstrates an understanding of the fellowship’s rationale. The proposed research work highlights the intent to explore solutions at the interface of climate, conservation, people, and sustainable
development; the proposed activities are feasible within the proposed work plan and realistic budget. - Individual and collective impact: the applicant’s ability to succeed in conservation research and leadership; short and long-term impacts as well as lasting conservation outcomes beyond proposed academic/research timeframe. The proposed work aims to engage diverse stakeholders, including gender mainstreaming and
involvement of local and indigenous communities. The applicant demonstrates potential to build partnerships and active engagement with local communities, academic, research, and practitioners. - Project measurability: the proposed research has measurable outcomes and outputs.
- Collaborations: the applicant’s demonstrated poten7al to enhance partnerships beyond the proposed objectives
and timeframe. - Recommendation letters: the applicant meets the specific criteria for the fellowship with specific examples which demonstrate the applicant’s abilities
Funding
Applicants may apply for up to three years of funding and request up to $30,000 per year. The amount of funding approved will vary. Accepted applicants will be no7fied in June 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible.
- You must be an applicant of an eligible country.
- You must have at least two years of conservation-related work or research/academic experience.
- You must have an exis7ng affiliation with a college or university in an eligible country and demonstrate collaboration and strategic partnership with country and/or regional institutions. Priority will be given to individuals affiliated with underserved universities.
- You must have a demonstrated commitment to working in academia in an eligible country. For example, commitment to providing targeted mentorship and guidance to early career conservation leaders and scientists.
- You must be enrolled in or admitted to a PhD program in-country or anywhere in the world.
- You must plan to begin your studies no later than January 2027.
- You must contact EFN if you are a WWF employee, consultant, or previous EFN grant recipient to determine eligibility.
- You must submit all required documents by the applica7on deadline (December 18, 2025 at 11:59 PM US
Eastern Time).
For more information and application.