Conservation Nation Grant Program

The Conservation Nation Grant Program is administered by Conservation Nation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that operates as a tax-exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3). The organization focuses on advancing wildlife conservation by strengthening the diversity, capacity, and representation of conservation professionals worldwide. Its grantmaking reflects a commitment to empowering individuals who bring varied lived experiences and perspectives, particularly those historically underrepresented in conservation leadership. Through both funding and professional support, the organization aims to foster a global network of conservation practitioners equipped to address urgent biodiversity challenges. The primary purpose of the Conservation Nation Grant Program is to support projects that protect threatened wildlife species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The program emphasizes conservation outcomes across terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments and prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate strong community engagement and locally informed approaches. By funding individuals directly, the program seeks to enable practitioners to lead impactful conservation efforts that contribute to long-term ecological resilience and biodiversity preservation. Funding under this program provides up to 5000 USD per award for a one-year project period. The funding scope includes support for field research, conservation implementation, travel related to project execution, in-country personnel costs, and certain educational or capacity-building activities such as stipends or honoraria in specific cases. Equipment and materials may also be funded, particularly when projects are conducted in partnership with organizations in range countries, with the expectation that such items may be donated after project completion. The program explicitly excludes funding for unrelated personal activities, lobbying, salaries for guest speakers, and direct cash donations to organizations or third parties. Eligibility is limited to individual applicants who are early- to mid-career conservationists with up to seven years of experience. Eligible applicants include professionals working full-time in nonprofit conservation organizations, graduate students and above engaged in conservation-related studies, and independent practitioners actively involved in conservation work. The program encourages applications from individuals representing underrepresented communities and those incorporating Indigenous or local knowledge systems. Applicants must apply independently, have access to a bank account capable of receiving funds in USD, and may submit only one application. Applications must be submitted through an online grant portal, with submissions via email explicitly disallowed. Applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance by reviewing application questions, developing project summaries, budgets, and timelines, and recording a required role model video. Supporting documentation such as approvals or academic references may also be required depending on applicant status. The selection process may include follow-up questions, and selected applicants may be invited to participate in interviews or storytelling initiatives. The application timeline for the program includes a defined one-week submission window. Applications open on July 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST and close on July 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. Successful applicants are expected to be notified in early September 2026, with funding distributed shortly thereafter and public announcements made in October 2026. The project performance period spans approximately one year, from September 2026 through September 2027. While the program appears to operate annually, applicants are advised to monitor official communications for confirmation of future cycles. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program via the official grants email address.

Emphasize community-informed approaches, demonstrate direct conservation impact, and highlight underrepresented perspectives and leadership