Russell E. Train Fellowships 2020: WWF Conservation Funding for Masters and PhD

The Russell E. Train Fellowships give conservationists from selected countries money for Masters and doctoral study and field research in conservation. The World Wildlife Fund runs the program through its Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN). EFN offers 4 core grant opportunities each year, and these fellowships are one of them. You can use the award at any university worldwide. For 2020 there are two separate competitions:

1) Building Capacity in the Galápagos: EFN works with Celebrity Cruises to fund female conservationists. The aim is to build local capacity for marine conservation in the Galápagos Islands through graduate study at Masters and PhD level.

2) Current & Aspiring University Faculty for Conservation: This competition supports current and aspiring university faculty who are affiliated with or employed at African, Asian and Latin American universities. Fellows pursue doctoral degrees in conservation-related fields. After finishing, each fellow must strengthen or set up a graduate-level conservation program at a university in their home country.

• Host: World Wildlife Fund, Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program
• Level: Masters and PhD
• Study destination: universities in any country
• Deadline: 1 March 2020 (annual)
• Awards: number not specified
• Funding: up to US$30,000 per year for up to 2 or 3 years, depending on the competition
• Target group: female conservationists in Ecuador and university faculty at African, Asian and Latin American universities

These fellowships suit conservationists who already have some work or research experience and want to take a graduate degree that will strengthen conservation work in their home region. If you are a woman from Ecuador aiming to work in marine conservation in the Galápagos, the Galápagos competition is designed for you. If you teach or plan to teach at a university in Africa, Asia or Latin America and want a PhD in a conservation field, the faculty competition fits that goal. Both tracks require a commitment to return and work in the region after graduation.

Universities in any country.

Masters and PhD degrees in conservation-related fields.

Not specified.

Female conservationists in Ecuador and university faculty who are affiliated with or currently employed at African, Asian and Latin American universities.

Building Capacity in the Galápagos: you may request funding for up to 2 years, with a maximum of US$30,000 per year.

Current & Aspiring University Faculty for Conservation: you may request funding for up to 3 years, with a maximum of US$30,000 per year.

Building Capacity in the Galápagos: You must be a citizen of Ecuador who identifies as a woman. Legal permanent residents of the Galápagos are preferred. You need at least 2 years of conservation-related work or research experience and a commitment to working in marine conservation in the Galápagos. You must be enrolled in, admitted to, or have applied to a Masters or PhD program anywhere in the world, and you must plan to begin your studies no later than January 2021. You must also commit to returning to the Galápagos and working there for at least 2 years after completing your degree. People who have received a Train Fellowship or Scholarship in the past are not eligible. The eligible fields of study for this fellowship are all related to marine conservation:

• Coastal habitat conservation (coral reefs and mangroves)
• Marine and terrestrial species conservation
• Invasive species mitigation and eradication
• Sustainable fisheries management
• Participatory management of Galápagos protected areas
• Marine spatial planning
• Human wellbeing and sustainable economic development
• Island conservation issues
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation
• Sustainable natural resource management
• Sustainable tourism
• Food security and sustainable agricultural development.

Current & Aspiring University Faculty for Conservation: You must be a national and legal permanent resident of a select country in Africa, Asia or Latin America (check the official website for the full list of eligible countries). You need at least 2 years of conservation-related work or research experience and a commitment to working in academia in one of the eligible countries. You must already have an affiliation with a college or university in an eligible country. Priority goes to individuals affiliated with under-served universities. You must be enrolled in, admitted to, or have applied to a PhD program anywhere in the world, and you must plan to begin your studies no later than January 2021. You must also commit to working for at least 2 years in your home country after finishing your degree. People who have received a Train Fellowship or Scholarship in the past are not eligible.

EFN announces its fellowship competitions every September. The deadline for applications for fellowships starting no later than January 2021 is 1 March 2020.

Visit the official website (link below) for detailed information on how to apply.

• Who can apply for the Russell E. Train Fellowships? There are two competitions. One is for women who are citizens of Ecuador and committed to marine conservation in the Galápagos. The other is for current or aspiring university faculty affiliated with or employed at African, Asian or Latin American universities.
• What does the fellowship cover? The fellowship provides funding for graduate study. You can request up to US$30,000 per year for up to 2 years (Galápagos competition) or up to 3 years (faculty competition).
• What is the application deadline? The deadline is 1 March 2020 for fellowships beginning no later than January 2021.
• Can I study at any university? Yes, you may attend a university in any country.
• Do I need to return to my home country after my studies? Yes. Galápagos fellows must return to and work in the Galápagos for at least 2 years. Faculty fellows must work for at least 2 years in their home country after completing the degree.

• Read the official guidelines for your chosen competition carefully before you start your application.
• Prepare your documents early, including proof of admission or application to a graduate program.
• Check whether you need to submit language test scores and book any tests well in advance.
• Make sure your work or research experience meets the minimum requirement and is clearly documented.
• Contact the program organizers if you are unsure about your eligibility or the application process.