Whitley Awards 2026 for Grassroots Conservation Leaders
Applications are open for the Whitley Awards 2026, which fund grassroots conservation leaders in the Global South and spotlight their impactful work internationally.
📖 About Whitley Awards
The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity established in 1993. Over the years, WFN has channeled £23 million to support 200 conservation leaders across 80 countries in the Global South.
WFN provides long-term, laddered support to changemakers leading local solutions to global biodiversity and climate crises. Their work benefits wildlife, landscapes, and communities, creating lasting impacts.
Key Details
- Date Published: August 08, 2025
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
- Category: Contest, Grants
💰 Benefits of Whitley Awards
- Funding Amount: £50,000 GBP for project funding over one year.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Requirements
- Dynamic, mid-career conservationists leading wildlife conservation projects in the Global South.
- Nationals of the country in which they are working, seeking to scale up proven work embedded in the local community.
- Projects must involve grassroots communities and deliver practical action founded on science.
What WFN Will Fund
- Projects in countries not classified as High Income Economies by the World Bank.
- Nationals of the country or individuals with long-term residency (15+ years) and demonstrable commitment.
- Grassroots conservationists embedded in or from the communities they serve.
- Locally incorporated NGOs in the Global South.
- Projects with scientific evidence, measurable outcomes, and sustainable long-term planning.
- Work that demonstrates value for money and ability to manage funding at the Whitley Award level (£40,000).
What WFN Will Not Fund
- Projects in High Income Economies.
- Expatriates leading conservation projects.
- Pure academic research or MSc/PhD fieldwork.
- Start-up or pilot projects without evidence of prior success.
- Absentee leaders or one-person teams.
- Pure rural/economic development projects without direct conservation benefits.
- Land purchase or construction-focused projects.
- Captive breeding or animal welfare projects.
📝 Application Process
Steps to Apply
- Check Eligibility: Ensure your project meets the eligibility criteria.
- Register for the Application Portal: Register here to receive unique login details.
- Complete Your Application Online: Follow the application guidelines.
- Download Templates: Use the provided templates for your logical framework/timeline and budget.
- Contact Three Referees: Ensure referees submit their references by midnight GMT on October 31, 2025.
Timeline
- Application Deadline: Midnight GMT on October 31, 2025.
- Awards Ceremony: Spring 2026 (live event and online streaming).
📧 Contact Information
For questions or further information, email info@whitleyaward.org.
📅 Application Deadline
October 31, 2025
🌐 Additional Resources
This opportunity is ideal for conservation leaders passionate about creating lasting impacts in their communities while addressing biodiversity and climate crises. Apply now to make a difference! 🌍
- Whitley Awards are worth £50,000 GBP in project funding over one year.
