Position Overview

Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

Salary: Up to $30,000 per year

Education Required: Enrollment in or admission to a master’s or PhD program

Experience Required: At least two years in conservation-related work or research

Description

The World Wildlife Fund’s Conservation Futures Fellowship supports graduate research that advances inclusive conservation with Indigenous peoples and local communities. Administered through WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program, the fellowship strengthens research capacity and thought leadership across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Funding supports master’s students for up to two years and PhD students for up to three years. Fellows conduct applied, community-engaged research aligned with themes such as ecosystem stewardship, governance, youth engagement, valuation of biodiversity, and technology for co-creation. Awards may cover tuition, living expenses, research costs, and materials, with final amounts based on project scope.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a graduate-level research project aligned with one of the fellowship’s thematic areas
• Engage Indigenous peoples and local communities throughout the research process
• Co-create knowledge, tools, and solutions with community partners
• Integrate traditional and local knowledge into research design and analysis
• Collaborate with community-based organizations and local leaders
• Participate in WWF’s EFN fellowship network and leadership activities
• Produce measurable research outputs and outcomes within the fellowship period

Minimum Requirements

• Hold citizenship or residency in an eligible country within WWF priority areas
• Demonstrate at least two years of conservation-related work, research, or academic experience
• Show clear commitment to conservation work in an eligible country
• Be enrolled in, admitted to, or have applied to a master’s or PhD program anywhere in the world
• Plan to begin studies no later than January 2027
• Submit a complete application by April 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM US Eastern Time

Additional Notes

• Funding available for up to two years for master’s programs and up to three years for PhD programs
• Awards up to $30,000 per year
• Funding may cover tuition and fees, living expenses, books and materials, and research costs
• Eligible countries include nations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, including Brazil, Kenya, Peru, Indonesia, Tanzania, and others listed in the official guidelines
• Applicants may apply in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese
• Notifications of acceptance will be communicated in July 2026

How to Apply

Submit an online application through WWF’s EFN portal at https://www.worldwildlife.org/efn by April 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM US Eastern Time. For questions, email efn@wwfus.org.