Whitley Awards 2027

The Whitley Awards support grassroots conservation leaders in the Global South by providing funding, training, and profile-raising opportunities to scale up effective, science-based projects rooted in community engagement.

What it offers

• £50,000 in project funding over one year.
• International recognition and profile-raising opportunities.
• Professional communications and media support.
• Peer learning, training, and collaboration opportunities.
• Eligibility for future Continuation Funding and the Whitley Gold Award.
• Membership in a global community of over 230 conservation leaders working across more than 80 countries.

Who can apply

• Mid-career conservationists leading vital conservation projects.
• Nationals of the country where they are working.
• Projects must involve grassroots community engagement and be founded on science.

How to apply

• Register for a WFN account through the online application portal.
• Complete the application form online.
• Download and complete:
  • A Microsoft Word template for your logical framework/timeline.
  • A Microsoft Excel template for your budget.
• Upload the completed templates to the portal.
• Nominate three referees to support your application.
• Ensure referees submit references by the deadline.

Good to know

• Applications for the 2027 Whitley Awards are open and will close at 23:59 GMT on Friday, 30 October 2026.
• Winners will be announced at the annual Whitley Awards Ceremony in London in Spring 2027.
• You do not need to be invited or nominated to apply.
• Check the eligibility criteria and application guidelines on the WFN website.