The Conservation Nation Grant Program provides funding to help save endangered animals and their ecosystems by building a stronger, more diverse community of conservation practitioners. We believe there is great conservation progress to be made by broadening the field of committed individuals working to address the global wildlife conservation challenge.
Conservation Nation supports innovative, on-the-ground conservation around the world by practitioners from undervalued communities. Our focus is on helping foster conservation solutions that serve the needs of both nature and people in terrestrial, marine, or freshwater ecosystems that support a wide range of biodiversity.
The 2025 Conservation Nation Grant Program aims to financially support conservationists engaged in wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable practices. This grant will assist early to mid-career conservationists in their efforts by granting up to US$5,000 each, which will fund activities that are essential for their life-saving work but may not be covered by standard grant programs. Preference will be given to applicants conducting field research as part of their project.
In addition to providing funding, we support our grantees through the Conservation Nation Network where we provide ongoing professional development, resources, connections, and capacity-building opportunities to ensure their growth and success.
By providing unique financial assistance and an active support network, we will enable conservationists to feel supported as they do their important work contributing to a thriving planet for people and wildlife.
Applications must be submitted through the grant portal. Applications submitted via email will not be considered.
Grant Application Portal
Additional information, including important dates, will be published here.
Explore the inspiring work of our past grantees here.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
Application Information
- Early to mid-career conservationists (up to 7 years).
- Conservationists from undervalued communities.
- Individual conservationists actively working on wildlife conservation projects.
- Full-time conservation professionals working at an NGO conservation organization.
- Graduate students and above who are engaged in conservation studies. (Students must provide their program director’s name and email address.)
- We encourage wildlife conservationists working in (but not limited to) the following biodiversity hotspots to apply:
- California Floristic Province
- North American Coastal Plain
- Mountains of Central Asia
- Guinean Forests of West Africa
- Atlantic Forest
- Southwestern Australia
- This grant is targeted toward individuals. The application must be filled out and submitted by the grant applicant.
- Applications must be submitted through the grant portal which will open in early July.
- Successful applicants will be notified in late August.
- The formal public announcement of grantees will be made in early September and funds will be disbursed shortly thereafter.
- You must be able to administer your grant between September 2025 and October 2026.
- Conservationists are eligible for funding up to US$5,000 for a grant period of one year.
- The applicant must demonstrate that the funds will be used for or to support activities or research that will contribute to wildlife conservation.
- In consideration of our mission, our preference is to fund individuals. The applicant must have a working bank account that can receive electronic funds in USD.
- Only one application per person.
- Both ongoing and new projects, including seed and proof of concept projects.
- Travel for research or conservation efforts. Funds may cover incidentals, meals, and expenses.
- Funding to support range in-country personnel at project sites (international and domestic).
- Funding to support intern stipends and wages, to be awarded on a case-by-case basis.
- Stipends or honoraria for guest speakers or lecturers, to be awarded on a case-by-case basis.
Items purchased for projects in partnership with range country organizations may be donated to the organization at the conclusion of its intended use in the grant-funded project. These items must be visibly labeled as Conservation Nation donations whenever possible.
- Unsupported activities, activities that are strictly of personal interest.
- Working or collaborative teams that focus on topics not related to conservation.
- Salaries or gifts for guest speakers or lecturers, etc.
- Organizations. This grant is for individuals only.
- Cash donations to conservation organizations or third parties.
- Lobbying activities or supporting attempts to influence legislation.
Grant Requirements
Engagement/Outreach:
- Attend at least one Coffee and Chat with the Conservation Nation Network.
We place a strong emphasis on ensuring that grant recipients share their work and knowledge and become role models to the next generation of conservationists. We welcome you to connect with the Conservation Nation Education Team.
Reporting:
Within the one-year grant period, grantees will be expected to:
- Complete a short survey upon receipt of the grant.
- Submit a semi-annual and final report.
- Contribute up to two blogs, social media posts, or field videos as updates on how their funds were used.
- Collaborate with our Education Director to support development of a lesson for the Conservation Nation Academy.
- Promote Conservation Nation via your own social channels.
- Once an approved grant is completed, each recipient is required to provide a report on how the funds were spent and the impact it had. We will share this with our supporters across our communication channels, i.e., website, social media, emails, and donation platform. We welcome you to upload photos, posters, reports, etc.
- A complete financial accounting of grant funds awarded, including a copy of all receipts. Grant funds should be spent down within the contract year. If needed, a 3-month extension would be considered upon request.
Grantees are encouraged to share how this funding will help them on their conservation career journey by providing updates that can be used for social media or blog posts.
Image Usage/Recognition:
- Media Release: Any images that you provide to Conservation Nation may be used as part of marketing campaigns, donor outreach, social media posts, and/or posted to the Conservation Nation website. Please note that any photos with participants or partners will also need media releases.
- Provide recognition of Conservation Nation and their support whenever possible on social media channels.
- Public recognition of the Conservation Nation grant when and where applicable, including publications (print or digital), presentations, interviews, conference posters, and public signage.
- The grant selection committee may contact the grant applicant with follow-up questions, as necessary.
- Conservation Nation may contact recipients for additional information, an interview, or photographs to use as part of marketing campaigns and donor outreach.
- Conservation Nation Education staff members are available to grant recipients throughout the grant cycle to help develop ideas for education outreach commitments.
- Proposed changes to the allocation of grant funds must be submitted and approved by Conservation Nation in advance.
- Conservation Nation reserves the right to decline funding grants in any given year.
Funding Questions
Please be prepared to answer the following questions in up to 350 words:
- Provide a brief project summary/background, including the field research component, if applicable.
- Identify three barriers you face in achieving these goals.
- What are three benefits you would gain from this funding?
- How does this project align with your conservation career goals?
- Is there a community engagement aspect to your project? If yes, explain.
- Describe your ability, experience, or interest in acting as a role model or ambassador to students and/or younger conservationists.
- Conservation Nation’s mission focuses on strengthening the conservationist movement from all communities, especially those historically undervalued.
Describe how your project aligns with our commitment to incorporating diverse perspectives and voices in the conservation movement.
Additional Information:
- Please provide a short bio (maximum 300 words).
- Please prepare to submit a short video (maximum 1 minute) discussing how you will serve as a role model for young conservationists across the globe.
- Templates will be provided to upload a budget sheet and project timetable.
