Whitley Awards 2027 for Grassroots Conservation Leaders (£50,000 prize)

Overview

The Whitley Awards 2027 recognise grassroots conservation leaders and provide funding to support and scale up proven, science-based solutions that deliver lasting benefits for people and nature. They are given annually by the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), a nature conservation charity that raises and grants funds. Established in 1993, it has channelled £23 million to 200 conservation leaders in 80 countries across the Global South.

What you get

Each Whitley Award is worth £50,000 GBP in project funding over one year. Winners also receive international recognition and profile-raising opportunities, professional communications and media support, and peer learning, training and collaboration opportunities. They become eligible for future Continuation Funding and the Whitley Gold Award.

Who can apply

The awards are open to grassroots conservation leaders who are nationals of the country where they work and are embedded in local communities. Work must be based in at least one country not classified as a High-Income Economy by the World Bank. Applicants must work for a locally incorporated NGO, charity, not-for-profit or university, and projects should deliver measurable positive impacts for threatened ecosystems and biodiversity at landscape or seascape level while benefiting Indigenous peoples and local communities.

Requirements

Applicants must be able to communicate verbally in English without a translator, though total fluency is not required, so they can benefit from the Whitley Awards week of interviews, networking, training and media. The awards recognise individuals backed by an experienced team or organisation with past success and an evidence-based approach; individuals working in isolation and team or joint entries are not eligible.

WFN prefers ecosystem-level projects, although genuine flagship species projects are accepted. It looks for community-led work that empowers and benefits Indigenous peoples and communities, pragmatic but ambitious conservation that is replicable or scalable, clear measurable outcomes, long-term sustainability, value for money and the ability to manage £50,000. It gives priority to projects where an award will make a significant difference and that would benefit from greater visibility.

Key dates

Applications close at midnight GMT on 30 October 2026.