UPDATE: The 2015 Russell E. Train Fellowship Application is now OPEN. Deadline for submission: FEBRUARY 28, 2015
OVERVIEW
Russell E. Train Fellowships support individuals pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in conservation. Each year, WWF supports committed conservationists from target countries to receive financial support for their studies and field research. Applicants can apply to attend any university around the world and must return to their home countries to work in conservation for at least two years after completing their degree. Applicants from select WWF-US priority countries must meet all of the eligibility criteria to be considered for a grant.See below for guidelines, eligibility, and access to the application. Note that criteria may vary by country. Read all guidelines carefully.
OPEN COMPETITIONS
Click the link below to view the guidelines.Building Capacity for Ocean Management
Eligible countries: Fiji, Kenya, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tanzania
Valuing Standing Forests
Eligible countries: Bolivia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Democratic Republic of Congo, Laos, Peru, Vietnam
Conservation in MozambiqueMozambique only
Current & Aspiring University Faculty for ConservationSelect countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. For a full list of eligible countries please review application guidelines.
ELIGIBILITY
Please note that eligibility criteria vary by competition. Be sure you submit all relevant documentation as noted under the guidelines posted above.To be eligible for any Train Fellowship listed above, all applicants must:
- be a citizen and legal permanent resident of an eligible country;
- have at least two years of conservation-related work or research experience;
- have a demonstrated commitment to working in conservation in an eligible country;
- be enrolled in, admitted to, or have applied to a master’s or PhD program anywhere in the world;
- begin EFN-supported studies before January 2016;
- commit to working for at least two years in your home country after the completion of your degree; and
- submit all required documents by the application deadline (February 28, 2015).
- Individuals who have received a fellowship or scholarship from EFN in the past are not eligible.
- Applicants who have received EFN professional development grants (short-term training grants) in the past ARE eligible to apply.
- Current WWF employees, WWF consultants, and previous EFN grant recipients should contact EFN before applying.
SELECTION
Train Fellows are selected through a competitive, merit-based process. An independent, interdisciplinary panel of experts is convened in each country to review applications and to identify the top candidates based on the following criteria:- Professional qualifications as evidenced by previous and current conservation-related positions, references from colleagues in the field, publications, and other sources.
- Demonstrated leadership through involvement in community and volunteer activities, the workplace, local and national government, and other areas.
- Prior academic achievement as shown by grades, academic awards, references from teachers and professors, and so on.
- Motivation and commitment to contribute to conservation in a participating country and to share what is learned with others in their field and in their home communities.
- Potential impact of proposed study/research on conservation efforts in the home country or region.
APPLICATION
CLICK HERE to access the application for Marine Conservation, Valuing Standing Forests, & Conservation in Mozambique. (Preview the fellowship application here.)CLICK HERE to access the application for Current & Aspiring University Faculty. (Preview the faculty fellowship application here.)
Application Deadline: FEBRUARY 28, 2015
