Grants for Women

The World Wide Fund for Nature, a nature conservation group, is seeking to offer Professional Development Grants and Train Scholarships to women in the Congo Basin of Africa interested in Nature Conservation. Application Deadline: 1st November, 2016 (for courses starting after February 1, 2017) FINAL Deadline: 1st February 2017 (for courses starting after May 1, 2017) Offered annually? Eligible Countries: Countries in the Congo Basin except Cameroon. Cameroon shall be included in the second deadline. Countries are:, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Gabon Type: Training About the Award: Historically, women in Africa’s Congo Basin countries have been severely underrepresented in biodiversity conservation work, primarily due to a lack of access to education and training. Thanks to the continued support from the Liz Claiborne Art Ortenberg Foundation, EFN has been working to reverse this trend through scholarships and professional development grants for the region’s qualified female conservationists. Two opportunities exist for Women in the Congo Basin: Professional Development Grants for Short-term Training These grants support short-term non-degree training that enhances skills necessary for effective conservation work and career advancement. Most training programs are less than 6 months in duration and applicants are expected to return their jobs with new skills that help to build capacity in their organization. Eligibility: Applicant must: be a citizen and permanent resident of Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, or Republic of Congo. Ex-patriots from outside the region will not be eligible regardless of legal status. be a woman currently employed in conservation at a government agency, protected area, NGO, or educational institution. have at least 6 months work experience in conservation. have identified and applied to attend a training course relevant to her work. Conference attendance will not be supported under this initiative unless the applicant is presenting a paper or publication. have support of her supervisor with a guarantee that she will return to her position upon completing training. Proposed training must be completed within 6 months and must not lead to an academic degree.Individuals currently enrolled in an academic degree program are not eligible. Applicants who have not received funding from EFN in the last 3 years will be given preference. Train Scholarships for Diploma, Postgraduate or Higher Technical Degrees These grants provide support to women to pursue a certification, diploma, or technical degree in conservation. These scholarships allow women in the Congo Basin to gain much-needed formal conservation qualifications. Scholars receive financial support for education-related costs for a period of about one year (maximum of US$10,000.) Study can take place anywhere in the world, must lead to a certificate, diploma, or degree. Eligibility: Applicant must: be a citizen and legal resident of Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, or Republic of Congo. be currently employed in conservation at a government agency, protected area, NGO, or educational institution. have at least one year work experience in conservation. be enrolled in, be admitted to, or have applied to a study program ( to receive a certificate or diploma, or postgraduate/technical degree) by the application deadline AND must plan to begin studies no later than one year after the application deadline. be accepted to a diploma, degree or certificate program less than 18 months in duration; have support of her supervisor with a guarantee that she will return to her position after completion of the study program. commit to working in conservation in her home country or region for at least two years after completion of the study program. NOT have received a scholarship or fellowship from EFN in the past (Applicants who have received professional development grants are eligible to apply.) WWF staff or a long-term consultant to WWF are not eligible to apply. How to Apply: Applicants can access the application here: https://wwf-efn.fluidreview.com/ Visit Programme Webpage for details Award Provider: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)