Global Forest Watch (GFW) Tech Fellowship (Fully-funded to Washington, D.C, USA) 2018

Global Forest Watch and the World Resources Institute are pleased to announce the first-ever GFW Tech Fellowship for tech innovators, journalists, conservationists, campaigners, law enforcement officers, lawyers, scientists, analysts, cartographers and indigenous leaders. 

Application Deadline: opens 15th February 2019 until five fellows are chosen

Eligible Countries: 

• South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela
• Central Africa: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda
• Southeast Asia: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea,Timor Leste.

To Be Taken At (Country): Washington, D.C, USA

About the Award: The Fellowship will scale the impact of GFW (a platform that has reached over one million users from every country in the world) by creating a cadre of changemakers and forest champions working on the frontlines of combatting deforestation. The GFW Tech Fellowship will equip the most innovative and dedicated forest protection advocates around the world with the skills and cutting-edge technologies to help halt deforestation.

The five-month Fellowship will run from July through December 2018. Fellows will participate in regular online meetings and trainings, and will receive tips and techniques to effectively train and share knowledge with others. In September 2018 the cohort will come together in Washington, D.C. for a three-day tech camp to sharpen their skills on using GFW and other open source mapping tools, remote sensing and GIS, data collection and visualization, mobile monitoring technologies, storytelling and media engagement, and digital and personal security. Peer-to-peer learning within the cohort will be a crucial part of the program, so fellows will be encouraged to communicate and share skills and ideas with one another regularly throughout the fellowship and beyond.

Type: Fellowship (Professional)

Eligibility: Global Forest Watch is seeking tech innovators, journalists, conservationists, campaigners, law enforcement officers, lawyers, scientists, analysts, cartographers and indigenous leaders who are committed to expanding their forest monitoring experience and sharing this knowledge with others in their networks.

Number of Awards:

Value of Award: Each fellow will receive:

• Ongoing mentorship and training opportunities with GFW staff and partners
• A stipend of $6,000 USD
• Access to additional funds to support direct costs, such as in-country travel, trainings, equipment or conference fees
• Roundtrip airfare to Washington, D.C., visa costs, transportation and accommodations for the three-day tech camp
• Communication coverage in WRI’s newsletters, blogs and social media

The ideal fellow will:

• Offer innovative ideas on strategies to protect forests
• Exhibit passion for solving environmental challenges
• Understand the potential of harnessing technology for social and environmental good
• Maintain networks through which they will share skills and lessons learned
• Represent diverse genders, geographies, sectors and educational backgrounds
• Champion innovative solutions for tackling complex drivers of deforestation

Duration of Programme:  5 Months

How to Apply: To apply to the 2018 GFW Tech Fellowship, please complete the application and submit it no later than June 15th, 2018. The five fellows selected for this first cohort will be notified of selection by July 1st.

Visit the Programme Webpage for Details

Award Providers: GFW