Whitley Awards 2027 (Whitley Fund for Nature) – £50,000 Project Grant, Global Media Profile & International Support for Grassroots Leaders

Overview & Description

If you are a mid-career conservationist leading a grassroots project in the Global South, securing large-scale flexible funding and international visibility to scale up your impact can be a massive challenge. Many wildlife leaders struggle to bridge the gap between small local pilots and landscape-level biodiversity protection. The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) bridges that exact gap—offering £50,000 in direct project funding alongside global media exposure and long-term networking to help grassroots champions protect threatened ecosystems.

Quick Summary: The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is officially accepting applications for the 2027 Whitley Awards. Known as “Green Oscars,” these prestigious awards provide £50,000 in funding over one year to dynamic, mid-career conservation leaders in the Global South to scale up proven, science-based biodiversity solutions that benefit local communities.

Overview / What This Opportunity Entails

The Whitley Awards recognise dynamic, mid-career conservationists who are leading vital, science-backed projects in countries not classified as High-Income Economies by the World Bank. The program focuses on scaling up proven grassroots strategies that deliver measurable benefits for wildlife, habitats, and Indigenous peoples or local communities.

Winning a Whitley Award goes beyond direct financial capital. Awardees gain global recognition, professional media and communications training, and inclusion in the international WFN alumni network—unlocking future opportunities for Continuation Funding and the prestigious Whitley Gold Award.

Core Details & Key Responsibilities / Benefits

Selected Whitley Award winners receive end-to-end financial and professional development backing:

• Direct Project Funding: £50,000 GBP in grant funding over a 12-month period starting in mid-2027.
• Global Profile Boost: Professional communications and international media management to put a spotlight on your conservation work.
• Training & Mentorship: Customized training in speechcraft, media interviews, and strategic leadership.
• Network & Continuation Funding: Eligibility for future long-term grants and joining a global network of over 200 conservation leaders.

Self-Qualification: Do You Match the Profile?

Review these mandatory eligibility criteria before preparing your application:

• Nationality & Residence: Must be a national of the country in which the conservation work is taking place (or have obtained long-term national status).
• Institutional Status: Must be employed by or leading a locally incorporated NGO, charity, non-profit, or university.
• Career Stage: Open to dynamic, mid-career conservationists with a demonstrated track record of delivering practical, science-based results.
• Project Scope: Projects must focus on threatened wildlife or ecosystems at a landscape/seascape level while involving and benefiting local communities.
• Exclusions: Does NOT fund pure academic research (e.g., standalone MSc/PhD fieldwork), captive breeding, land purchases, or projects in High-Income Economies.

AI Application Prompts (Use ChatGPT / Claude)

Copy and paste these custom AI prompts to quickly draft your project proposal materials:

• Prompt 1: Proven Impact & Scaling Statement“Act as a grant writing expert for environmental non-profits. I am applying for the 2027 Whitley Award for my conservation project in [insert country/region]. Draft a compelling 300-word statement demonstrating how my project has already proven its concept in protecting [insert species/habitat], how local communities participate in governance, and how a £50,000 grant will help scale this work.”
• Prompt 2: Community Benefit & Logical Framework Summary“Help me structure a logical framework outline for a 12-month £50,000 conservation grant application. Create a 4-section summary covering: 1) Measurable biodiversity indicators, 2) Direct economic/social benefits for local Indigenous communities, 3) Key 12-month milestone activities, and 4) Risks and mitigation strategies.”

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Follow these exact instructions to complete your application package before the closing date:

1. Register on the Portal: Create an account on the official Whitley Fund for Nature online application portal.
2. Download Application Templates: Download the official Microsoft Word template for the logical framework/timeline and the Microsoft Excel template for the project budget.
3. Nominate 3 Referees: Identify and confirm three professional referees who will submit letters of recommendation prior to the deadline.
4. Complete & Upload: Complete all narrative sections online, attach your budget and framework documents, and submit prior to 30 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

How to Submit Your Application

Click the Apply Now button below to access the official portal and submit your details directly.