Apply by October 30, 2026 at 23:59 GMT

Whitley Awards celebrate effective grassroots conservation leaders from across the globe who are working in direct partnership with communities to drive change. By providing catalytic visibility and resources, Whitley Awards help conservationists accelerate proven solutions to tackle the biodiversity crisis and support their long-term growth. Each Whitley Award is worth £50,000 in project funding over one year.

Who is eligible? 

Whitley Awards are for dynamic, mid-career conservationists who are leading vital conservation projects. To be eligible, projects must involve communities at the grassroots level and deliver practical action that is founded on science. Winners are nationals of the country in which they are working who are seeking to scale up proven work, that is embedded in the local community and would benefit from further funding, a profile boost and international support.

Why apply? 

Winning a Whitley Award can be a transformative moment in a conservation leader’s career.

In addition to £50,000 in project funding, winners receive:

• 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.

Most importantly, winners become part of a growing global community of more than 230 committed conservation leaders working across over 80 countries to address the biodiversity crisis through solutions rooted in local knowledge, community engagement and long-term commitment.

Learn more >