Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa 2025 for African Graduate Students

Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa 2025 for African Graduate Students. Apply below.

When is Application Deadline:

7th February 2025

Tell Me About Award:

Through the generous support of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Graduate Scholarship Program (GSP) is honored to announce the Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa, to support rising African conservation leaders seeking to pursue a Masters or Ph.D. degree.

These high-profile and prestigious Fellowships will honor the late Gustavo Fonseca, who contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation over the course of his career, and will be awarded to candidates from GEF recipient countries in Africa who epitomize:

Is at the right time in their career for further academic pursuit and maximal conservation impact, and will be capable of success at a respected institute of higher education.

Deep and genuine commitment to conservation in their country/region

Appropriate work experience (at least five years) with a national conservation NGO, international conservation NGO, government, private sector, academia

Strong leadership potential

Collaboration and an ability to work with diverse groups and perspectives across issue and sector boundaries

Self-motivation and strong work ethic

Applied focus, and the nation/region will benefit from future expertise in the topic under consideration

Which Fields are Eligible

Type:

Who can Apply?

Only nominated applicants will be considered, no unsolicited applications are reviewed.

All candidates must be:

• Nominated by a pre-approved/eligible nominator, including government officials; senior officials from intergovernmental agencies, academic professors, senior conservationists within the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Conservation International (CI); senior conservationists within select national NGOs;
• A citizen of a GEF recipient country in Africa

The most competitive candidates are practical conservationists, with career goals rooted in applied, practical, on the ground conservation, rather than purely academic pursuits. Candidates do not need to have been accepted in any graduate program in order to be eligible, but should plan to begin studies no later than October of the year following their award.

How Many Awards?

Not specified

What is the Benefit of Award?

The Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa will support rising African conservation leaders seeking to pursue a Masters or Ph.D. degree.

How to Apply:

Instructions for Nomination and Application Process:

The process for applications to the 2025 Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa through the WCS GSP will occur in two stages.

• The first stage is the initial short-form application, due 7 February 2025.
• Applicants who are approved from this first round will be asked to submit a long-form application, due Monday, 31 March 2025.
• Final scholarship award decisions are expected to be announced in May 2025.

Nomination Process:

• Approved nominators may only nominate one candidate.
• Interested applicants should email Kate Mastro (kmastro@wcs.org) to –

1. Obtain approval for nominators – this includes sending a short summary of the proposed nominator (1/2 – 1 page) including name, job title, place of employment and high-level job summary, with an abridged Curriculum Vitae (no more than four ages).
2. Once the nominator is approved, the forms will be shared.
   • The forms consist of a series of short questions and supporting documentation:
     • Six questions for the nominator and three questions for the nominee.
     • Curriculum Vitae, an abridged version, no more than four pages.
     • Three letters of recommendation. Referees can be academic work advisors, work supervisors, or other individuals familiar with the applicant’s abilities. The nominator cannot act as a referee.

GOODLUCK!