Call for
Whitley Awards Fund Grassroots Conservation Leaders
Application Deadline:
31 October 2025
About Organisation
The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting grassroots conservation across the Global South. Founded in 1993, WFN has become a significant player in international wildlife conservation by channeling over £24 million to 220 conservation leaders in more than 80 countries. Its work is distinguished by a strong commitment to empowering local leaders who deliver long-lasting, community-driven change. WFN’s impact extends beyond conserving wildlife—it also strengthens ecosystems and supports people whose livelihoods depend on them. Over the past three decades, the organization has built a reputation for identifying and nurturing mid-career conservationists who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and the ability to create real impact on the ground. The Fund’s efforts are generously supported by long-standing patrons, including HRH The Princess Royal and renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who has served as both WFN Ambassador and former Trustee. By providing targeted funding, recognition, and international exposure, WFN not only ensures the sustainability of local conservation projects but also amplifies their voices on the global stage. This approach has established WFN as a catalyst for conservation success, inspiring new solutions and safeguarding biodiversity for generations to come.
About the Grant
The Whitley Awards, often referred to as “Green Oscars,” are prestigious grants that spotlight exceptional grassroots conservation leadership in the Global South. Each year, the Awards provide mid-career conservationists with funding, visibility, and international recognition, thereby enabling them to scale their proven initiatives. Valued at £50,000 GBP for a one-year period, the Awards are designed to strengthen projects that are already producing tangible conservation outcomes while deepening their integration with local communities. Winners not only gain financial support but also benefit from increased credibility, networking opportunities, and media exposure, which significantly expand their influence. The Whitley Awards are unique because they celebrate conservation at the community level, where people and wildlife intersect, ensuring long-term sustainability of solutions. The grant emphasizes projects that are rooted in science yet practical in their approach, creating measurable impacts on biodiversity and human well-being. By connecting winners with a global conservation community, the Awards inspire collaboration and knowledge sharing across borders. In addition to the funding, the Awards open doors for continued engagement with the Whitley Fund for Nature, providing conservationists with a lasting platform of international recognition and future opportunities for support.
Who can Apply?
The Whitley Awards are open to dynamic, mid-career conservationists from the Global South who are leading impactful wildlife conservation projects. Applicants must be nationals of the country in which they are working, ensuring strong local ownership of conservation efforts. Eligible candidates should already have a proven track record of delivering effective projects that are scientifically grounded, community-focused, and ready for scale-up with additional support. The awards specifically target individuals who are embedded within local communities and have demonstrated the ability to foster meaningful participation at the grassroots level. Projects must not only protect wildlife but also address the needs of people, creating harmony between biodiversity conservation and human livelihoods. Applicants should be conservation leaders who seek to elevate their work through enhanced funding, international recognition, and global networks. The emphasis is on mid-career professionals who have moved beyond early experimentation and are now looking to consolidate and expand their impact. Candidates must demonstrate innovative approaches that can deliver practical, measurable conservation outcomes while being adaptable to local realities. Above all, eligible projects should contribute to long-term environmental sustainability and be rooted in collaboration, science, and community involvement.
How to Apply?
Interested applicants must register on the official application portal to receive unique login details. Using these credentials, candidates can complete and submit their application online. All submissions must be made within the given deadline.
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2026 Whitley Awards are currently open and will close at midnight GMT on 31 October 2025.
Last Date To Apply
The final date to submit applications is 31 October 2025, before midnight GMT.
Grant Amount
Each Whitley Award provides £50,000 GBP in project funding, distributed over one year to support conservation leadership in the Global South.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
