The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), through its Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN), offers fellowship opportunities to support emerging and established conservation leaders, researchers, and practitioners pursuing postgraduate studies in conservation and related disciplines. The programme aims to strengthen conservation science, develop leadership capacity, and support practical solutions to environmental challenges.
The programme features specialised funding opportunities, including the Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Uganda Fellowship and the WWF Conservation Futures Fellowship. These initiatives support graduate-level education and research while promoting sustainable conservation practices, community participation, and evidence-based environmental management.
1. Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Uganda Fellowship
The Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Uganda Fellowship invites Ugandan conservation scientists, practitioners, and emerging leaders to pursue master’s-level studies focused on human-wildlife conflict and coexistence. The initiative responds to growing tensions between communities and wildlife resulting from population growth, agricultural expansion, and the increasing encroachment of human settlements into wildlife habitats.
The fellowship specifically focuses on developing practical solutions to human-elephant conflict caused by elephants raiding agricultural crops near the northern boundary of Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda.
Through academic and field-based research, fellows are expected to contribute to locally relevant, interdisciplinary strategies that protect livelihoods while supporting wildlife conservation.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be Ugandan nationals.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as biology, ecology, conservation, zoology, or geography.
- Be enrolled in, admitted to, or have applied to a master’s programme at an accredited institution in Uganda.
- Propose master’s research focused on addressing human-elephant conflict and developing solutions relevant to communities surrounding Murchison Falls National Park.
Candidates should demonstrate a clear interest in conservation, research, and practical approaches to improving human-wildlife coexistence.
Funding and Benefits
Successful applicants may receive funding for up to two years, with requests of up to US$15,000 per year.
Eligible expenses include tuition and academic fees, living expenses, books and learning materials, and research-related costs. The final award amount will depend on the scope, requirements, and justification of each proposal.
The fellowship provides an opportunity for recipients to strengthen their academic qualifications, develop practical conservation research skills, and contribute to solutions addressing challenges faced by communities living alongside wildlife.
Application deadline: 15 December 2026, at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Time.
Expected notification: February 2027.
Application guidelines and application form: Visit the official WWF Education for Nature website: https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/education-for-nature
2. WWF Conservation Futures Fellowship
The Conservation Futures Fellowship supports aspiring and experienced conservation researchers, practitioners, and leaders pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees. It focuses on research that advances conservation knowledge while strengthening the skills, capacities, and participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities.
The fellowship promotes meaningful partnerships between researchers and communities, ensuring that local voices and traditional knowledge contribute to conservation priorities and outcomes. Fellows are encouraged to co-create research, practical tools, and place-based solutions that reflect local environmental and social realities.
Participants also have opportunities to connect with the wider global community of conservation leaders supported by WWF’s Education for Nature Program.
Eligible Countries and Applicants
The fellowship is open to applicants from eligible countries within WWF-US priority areas who are enrolled in or interested in enrolling in a master’s or PhD programme.
Eligible countries include Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Fiji, French Guiana, Gabon, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, the Republic of the Congo, Suriname, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia.
Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to collaborative conservation research, community engagement, and the integration of Indigenous and local knowledge into environmental decision-making.
Funding and Application Status
The Conservation Futures Fellowship offers funding for up to two years for master’s programmes and up to three years for PhD programmes. Applicants may request up to US$30,000 per year.
Funding may cover tuition and fees, living expenses, books and materials, and research costs. Final awards depend on the proposed research and its funding requirements.
Application deadline: 15 April 2026, at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Time.
Application status: CLOSED. WWF indicated that successful applicants would be notified in July 2026.
Although applications for this cycle have closed, interested candidates can monitor the official programme website for future funding rounds and announcements.
How to Strengthen a Fellowship Application
Applicants should develop a focused research proposal that clearly identifies the conservation challenge, explains the proposed methodology, and demonstrates measurable benefits for wildlife and local communities. A realistic budget, clear research objectives, and evidence of relevant academic preparation can strengthen an application.
Candidates should also explain how their research could inform conservation policy, improve community participation, or support practical environmental solutions. Applicants are advised to consult the official grant guidelines carefully and ensure that all eligibility requirements are satisfied before submitting an application.
Official Contact and Further Information
For questions about either fellowship, applicants can contact the Education for Nature Program by email. The official WWF website and the programme’s Facebook page may also provide updates about future funding opportunities.
