The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) is inviting applications for its Future Conservationist Awards 2027. The programme provides project funding and professional development support to early-career conservationists working to protect globally important threatened species and habitats.
The awards support practical, locally led conservation initiatives that combine ecological research with conservation action. Eligible project teams can request funding of up to US$15,000 for projects lasting between six and twelve months.
The first stage of the 2027 application process requires submission of a concept note. Teams with the strongest concepts may subsequently be invited to submit a full application.
About the CLP Future Conservationist Awards
The Conservation Leadership Programme is an international partnership that supports emerging conservation professionals through funding, training, mentorship and networking opportunities.
The Future Conservationist Awards are intended to help early-career conservationists develop practical experience, strengthen their leadership skills and implement projects addressing urgent biodiversity conservation challenges.
Grant Details
Programme: CLP Future Conservationist Awards 2027
Funding amount: Up to US$15,000 per project
Project duration: Six to twelve months
Application deadline: 30 October 2026, 23:59 GMT
Application stage: Concept note
Target applicants: Teams of early-career conservationists
Geographic scope: Eligible countries as specified in the official guidelines
Funding purpose: Biodiversity conservation, threatened species protection, habitat restoration and related conservation action
Who Can Apply?
Applications must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements. Key conditions include:
- Team composition: Each project team must include at least three people.
- Career experience: All team members must be early in their conservation careers, with no more than five years of professional conservation experience.
- Nationality: Team members must generally be nationals of the country where the project will take place. One non-national team member may be permitted if the exception is clearly justified.
- Project location: The proposed project must take place in a country eligible under the programme guidelines.
- Project duration: Projects must run for six to twelve months.
- Practical conservation action: Proposals must go beyond academic research and demonstrate how research will contribute to effective conservation interventions.
- Funding contribution: The CLP funding request must not exceed US$15,000, and CLP funding must cover at least 50% of the total project budget.
Applicants should read the official eligibility guidelines carefully before preparing their concept notes.
Priority Areas
Proposals should address globally important, at-risk species or habitats and demonstrate a clear conservation need. Relevant themes include:
- Biodiversity conservation and threatened species protection
- Climate impacts and adaptation
- Habitat restoration and management
- Community-led and Indigenous community conservation
- Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
- Environmental policy
- Environmental education and citizen science
- Conservation initiatives that support social development and community well-being
Projects should explain the conservation problem, the proposed intervention, the expected outcomes and how the team will build its professional capacity.
How to Apply
Interested teams should follow these steps:
- Visit the official CLP Future Conservationist Awards page.
- Download the 2027 concept note application template and detailed guidelines.
- Check the eligibility requirements, including team composition, country eligibility and project duration.
- Develop a concept note describing the conservation challenge, proposed activities, expected results and project budget.
- Submit the completed concept note to clp.applications@birdlife.org before the deadline.
Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application at the second stage.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit concept notes for the CLP Future Conservationist Awards 2027 is 30 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
Applicants should allow sufficient time to complete the concept note and check all eligibility requirements before submission.
Official Application Link: https://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/awards-opportunities/team-awards/future-conservationist-award/
Important Note:The award is designed for early-career conservation teams undertaking practical conservation projects. It is not a general-purpose grant for routine NGO activities. Applicants should consult the official programme guidelines for the complete eligibility conditions and application instructions.