Call for Applications: Education for Nature Alumni Grants (up to US$5,000 awarded)
Closing Date: 15 April 2026
Call for Applications: Education for Nature Alumni Grants (up to US$5,000 awarded)
Connect. Innovate. Sustain.
EFN Alumni Grants support former Russell E. Train Education for Nature (EFN) fellows, scholars, and institutional grant recipients who have completed the terms of their WWF grant contract and meet all the eligibility criteria necessary to be considered for a grant. Alumni grants aim to support EFN alumni to connect, develop and sustain their conservation science capacity and leadership; strengthen relationships and exchange of knowledge, ideas, and innovations; and increase national, regional, and global collaborations.
Alumni Grants are open to nationals of eligible countries within WWF-US priority areas: Belize, Brazil, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Dem. Republic of Congo, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Congo, Suriname, Tanzania, Uganda, and Vietnam.
Applicants may request up to US$5,000.
Fellowship Guidelines
The benefits of receiving funding support from WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) extend beyond completing the academic program and conservation activities. For over three decades, EFN has invested in more than 3,000 individuals, empowering leaders to pursue PhD, master’s and undergraduate, and short-term courses and worked with over 600 institutions across
60 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The work led by alumni has increased national, regional, and global level collaborations and benefited communities and nature. WWF is committed to strengthening its global community of EFN alumni to connect, develop, and sustain their science capacity and leadership for long-term benefits to people and nature.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria to be considered for an alumni grant. Please confirm you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.
You must be a former Russell E. Train Fellow, Russell E. Train Scholar, or grant recipient.
You must have successfully completed the training, academic degree program, or conservation project for which you received your EFN grant.
You must have submitted all reports required by your grant contract.
You must currently be working in a conservation-related field or conducting research and training conservation in your home country/region.
You must submit all required documents by the application deadline.
Application Process
Overview of the grant timeline.
- April 15, 2026: Deadline for submissions of applications in the portal
- April – June 2026: Selection process
- July 2026: Successful applicants informed
- August – September 2026: Contracts signed, and grants issued
Focus Area
Applications must address at least one of the following:
- The proposed activity brings EFN alumni together to enhance experiences and unique opportunities to build or expand skills or work together on a common interest to increase in-country and/or regional alumni collaboration.
- The application aims to develop alumni science capacity and leadership in implementing conservation-related work.
- The proposed activity cultivates belonging, connection, and strengthens engagement within countries, between countries, and across regions.
- The proposal includes the involvement of at least two or more EFN alumni.
- Proposed activities aim to make a difference in their communities.
How To Apply
Applicants can access the online application and guidelines at www.worldwildlife.org/efn. Applicants may apply in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese. The application deadline is April 15, 2026 by 11:59 PM US Eastern Time.
EFN is committed to providing a platform for its alumni to share lessons and stories with each other and the greater conservation community. EFN’s LinkedIn group helps EFN grant recipients and alumni connect with one another and share their work. Please note, this group is only available to EFN grant recipients.
Click Here To Apply
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