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Whitley Fund for Nature is accepting applications for the Whitley Awards for dynamic Mid-Career Conservationists in the Global South in 2023.
Whitley Awards are for dynamic, mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in the Global South. Winners tend to be nationals of the country in which they are working who are seeking to scale up proven work that would benefit from further funding, a profile boost, and international support.
Worth of Award
Whitley Awards are worth £40,000 GBP in project funding over one year.
Eligibility
Whitley Fund for Nature funds
- Wildlife conservation projects led by local leaders based in countries that are not defined as a High Income Economy by the World Bank. Exceptions to this criterion include Equatorial Guinea and certain island nations in the Caribbean.
- Conservationists from locally incorporated NGOs in developing countries, rather than in-country staff employed by NGOs headquartered in developed countries.
- People who are passionate, who will inspire others, and will collaborate and share results. Please note applicants must be able to communicate in English.
- Individuals backed by an appropriate team/organization. Individuals working in isolation and team/joint entries are not eligible.
- Projects that are based on scientific evidence and understanding – this can be in the leader, expertise on the team, or via partners/collaboration.
It also funds
- Work involving (and benefitting) the local community and stakeholders.
- Ecosystem/landscape level projects preferably. Genuine flagships are accepted, but not if results are purely species-specific.
- Projects that demonstrate past success and an evidence-based approach. Pilot projects or works that are at the start-up stage do not attract funding.
- Grassroots, pragmatic work that is realistic, but ambitious too. Applicants on the cusp of ‘something big’ and work that is replicable or scalable are highly sought after.
- Actions that will have clear, measurable outcomes –i.e applications that have given careful thought to what indicators can be measured to evidence impact.
Yet again it funds
- Sustainable projects that will continue into the future, well past the Whitley Award. Successful proposals will demonstrate long-term planning.
- Projects that demonstrate value for money and the ability to manage funding at the Whitley Award level (£40,000). Organizations with Audited Accounts are preferred.
- Projects for which an award will make a big difference. Priority will be given to those that can demonstrate need.
- Work that needs publicity – ones that will do well if ‘doors can be opened’ via the media and enhanced recognition.
- Leaders who are nationals of the country in which they are working in order to boost their profiles. There are some exceptions, for example, long-term residency (15+ years) or commitment to country/region/building capacity of local team members for future leadership.
How to Apply
- All applications should be made online via the official website.
- Please remember it is your responsibility to ensure your referees meet the deadline of the Whitley Awards.
Deadline: Applications for the 2023 Whitley Awards close at midnight GMT on October 31, 2022.