FAQs

Please refer to our Eligibility criteria for full details.

WFN aims to support nationals from the country in which they are working. If you are not a national but believe you have an exceptional case based on long-term residency (15+ years) and a demonstrable commitment to that country or region, then please contact us.

• Leadership quality – Passionate and dynamic individuals who are spearheading successful work and would benefit from the funding and profile that a Whitley Award provides. We look for individuals who can use the visibility associated with the Award to open doors, scale up their work, engage wider audiences, and deliver lasting conservation impact.
• Teamwork – Leaders supported by a strong team and/or local NGO. Whitley Awards recognise individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities within effective teams with strong conservation experience. We look for people who are excellent ambassadors for the work that they do. Applications must specify a single project leader who would be the recipient of the Whitley Award, if successful. Teams must include individuals who are local to the country or region where the project is taking place and reflect the diversity of that region, and must contain the range of relevant skills and knowledge necessary to ensure the project’s success. We understand that in some situations, the inclusion of international team members with specialist skills and knowledge may be required.
• Scientific foundation – Applicants are not required to hold professional scientific qualifications. However, projects that aim to address issues on a biological level must demonstrate that activities will be informed by robust scientific evidence. Where needed, teams should include relevant expertise, such as scientists or specialists in livelihoods, education, or agriculture.
• Mid-career – Conservationists who would benefit from further funding and a boost in profile. ‘Mid-career’ means those with an established track record, who are already several years into their conservation career with experience in managing grants at a similar scale to a Whitley Award, and are poised to scale up their successful work. This is defined by experience rather than age. Early career conservationists should consider applying to the Rufford Foundation or the Conservation Leadership Programme, which support emerging conservation leaders.

• Ecosystem level approach – WFN has a broad scope of interest, but projects must be focused on nature conservation. Examples include threatened habitat conservation; flagship species projects that mobilise local communities; biodiversity conservation linked to livelihood development projects which reduce pressure on wild resources or utilise wild resources sustainably; human-wildlife conflict resolution; anti-poaching; and in-situ conservation of Endangered species. In all cases, measurable biodiversity conservation impact is essential. Projects that take an ecosystem approach are generally favoured over a those that focus on a single species. Take a look at our past winners to get a better idea of what WFN funds.
• Community involvement – WFN looks for projects which actively involve and genuinely engage the community, bringing about tangible benefits and strengthening capacity. Community and stakeholder collaboration is considered very important to successful nature conservation projects. However, projects must have an explicit biodiversity conservation focus. Purely or predominantly rural/development projects will not be eligible.
• Evidence of prior success – Applicants must demonstrate a track record of success relevant to the proposed activities, with appropriate metrics and baseline data.
• Pragmatic, replicable and scalable – Practical, grassroots initiatives will be given priority over purely scientific or academic activities. WFN values the experience and strong local knowledge project leaders acquire from smaller scale projects and is keen to support those now wanting to expand, replicate or scale up their activities. We do not fund pilot or start up projects.
• Measurable outcomes – WFN seeks projects that deliver real change with clear, measurable outcomes. It is important to demonstrate that careful thought has been given to determine what indicators can be measured to evidence impact. For example, where training is undertaken – how will you measure actual change in behaviour, what will be the change delivered as a result of workshops; how will you know if the anti-poaching patrols have been effective or if the protected area is having the desired results?

WFN cannot provide funding for MSc/ PhD work, expeditions, land purchase, building construction, or animal welfare projects. Captive breeding projects are only considered if the underlying cause of species decline in the wild has already been addressed.

You’ll be required to provide the following for the organisation listed in your application:

• Organisation’s founding documents (e.g. constitution, registration certificate) with an English translation if available.
• Registration certificate issued by the relevant regulatory authority.
• FCRA Registration number (for applications from India ONLY).
• Audited financial statements/accounts from the last financial year (preferably these are audited but this is not a requirement). You should include copies with values converted to GBP, giving the rate of exchange and date used as well as a translation of the audit statement in English, if available (AI can help you with this). This can be provided in one or multiple documents, but it must include an income and expenditure statement, a balance sheet and an audit statement or report signed by an independent external auditor.
• Organisational bank account details used to receive funds if your application is successful.

In addition, when reviewing applications, we look for the following financial information:

• Cost-effectiveness – These projects will succeed over those that are less efficient, do not provide evidence of value for money, or which spend a high percentage of the Award on salaries and international travel. A Whitley Award is worth £50,000 GBP in project funding to be spent over a one-year period.
• Demonstrate need – Funding from WFN should form a significant component of the project’s financial requirement (e.g. at least 30%). WFN’s funding schemes are not designed to make minor contributions to very large projects better served by other funding agencies.
• Sustainable – Applications which give evidence that the project can become self-supporting, or able to levy further funds over time, will be given priority over projects that are likely to fail once immediate funds have expired. The applicant should intend to devote a considerable period of time to the project and set the project up in such a way that it can have a sustained future and can carry on functioning usefully should the team leader move on. Projects that aim to create long-term conservation benefits will be given priority over projects whose effects are likely to be short-term.
• The ability to manage funds appropriately – As demonstrated by historical financial documents and audited accounts.

• Your referees should not have a financial interest in your project’s success or a conflict of interest.
• Referees need to be able to comment with authority as to the impact, scientific validity and practicality of your work. Preferably they will also be able to comment on the level of support given by the country in which you are working, specifically whether you have the support of local stakeholders and government or non-governmental organisations. In all references, we also place a high value on a referee’s assessment of the applicant’s personality, dedication and ability to manage and be responsible with funds.
• In addition to the reference from a local source, at least one reference should be from an international referee (i.e. from someone from a different country to where you are working). This referee should provide you with a reference that puts your work into a global context.
• All the referees should know about you and your work. References that start with ‘I do not know the applicant, but…’ are never highly regarded!

These referee statements are critical to your application. Please ensure that all three statements are submitted to us via the portal before the deadline so that they can be considered with your application.

We understand that applicants may use tools such as ChatGPT, CoPilot, Claude or similar as thought partners, and that many are using AI in conservation to generate ideas, process data, provide information, and apply for grants. In WFN application forms, however, we are looking for original work. All concepts, ideas and activities within the application must be generated by you, your team or stakeholders and reflect reality.

Please do not submit content heavily reliant on AI as this will be picked up in our screening process. We have a team of real people who review grant applications and a review system that helps ensure authenticity. Applications that rely excessively on AI generated answers are unlikely to be funded. Please read our full guidelines, available to download in the application portal, for our AI acceptable uses policy.

You can download our guidelines in the ‘Information’ section of the application portal. These guidelines are intended to help you complete your Whitley Award application. Included are full project requirements and eligibility criteria, help completing the application form, example copies of budgets and logframes, guidance for referees, our country eligibility list, and a glossary of terms used in the application form.

• You must work for or have a formal agreement with the organisation you list in your application. This will be the organisation the funds are sent to and will be financially responsible for the funds.
• The organisation must be a registered charity, NGO, not-for-profit or university whose mission is the protection and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. It must be locally incorporated in an eligible country. Franchised or locally incorporated offshoots of international NGOs are eligible, but it will need to have a fully local team and prove they lack access to funds from other sources.
• In-country staff employed by NGOs headquartered in the Global North are highly unlikely to be shortlisted for a Whitley Award unless there are exceptional circumstances.
• Universities are eligible but applicants must demonstrate that their work goes beyond academic research.

While working directly on the portal, remember to save your progress regularly using the green ‘Save’ button at the bottom of the screen. If you have poor internet connection and are worried about losing work you can download a Microsoft Word version of the application form, which can be found in the ‘Information’ section on the portal. You must have registered to the portal to be able to access this document. You can use this Word document to work offline until you are ready to copy your answers into the portal. We would recommend doing this with plenty of time in advance and when you are somewhere with a more stable internet connection. Note that we do not accept applications via email – you must submit your application via the portal. 

If you are having trouble logging in or accessing the portal, please email us at [email protected].

No, appeals are not possible and the Judging Panel’s decision is final. We carefully assess all applications which are eligible, and where resources allow, will provide constructive feedback on why your application was unsuccessful. However, we cannot enter into dialogue or correspondence regarding unsuccessful applications.

Yes, as long as the application meets the criteria and is made by the next deadline. If you choose to re-apply, please note that although you may use the same referees, three new reference statements will be required. Applicants who re-apply and who are rejected for a second time may not apply for a third year consecutively. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact WFN.

If you have any questions or require further information, please email [email protected]