Deadline: December 18, 2025

Applications are open for the WWF Gustavo Fonseca Leadership Program 2026-2027. WWF Education for Nature Program (EFN) is pleased to launch the competitive Fonseca Leadership Program supported by the GEF. The program is designed to scale local and regional conservation leadership in Latin America by providing funding support to the current and next generation of researchers and practitioners to pursue graduate-level studies (master’s and PhD).

The Fonseca Leadership Program aims to create opportunities to conduct research on applied conservation related topics which will be critical in the design and implementation of conservation actions in the region. Fellows will also have an opportunity to join the expansive global community of EFN alumni to enable knowledge exchange and collective success.


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Focus Areas

The Fonseca Leadership Program is open to the current and next generation of researchers and practitioners in Latin America to pursue graduate-level studies (master’s and PhDs). The research topics may cover the following areas/themes, but examples are not limited to this list:

  • Focus applied conservation – specifically courses of study and research that ground students in ‘real world’ conservation challenges therefore providing training that will be critical for the early career researchers to design and implement conservation action.
  • Focus on ecological and socioeconomic context of biodiversity conservation and why the proposed work is needed at local, national, and regional levels.
  • Build on partnership and active engagement with local communities, academic research, and practitioners.
  • Consider human dimensions in conservation and sustainable development: community-based conservation and science, Indigenous peoples knowledge systems, emphasis on enhancing local expertise, skills, and knowledge.

Funding

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  • Applicants may apply for up to two (master’s) and three (PhD) years of funding and request up to $30,000 per year. The amount of funding approved will vary.

Eligibility

  • You must be an applicant of an eligible country.
  • You must preferably have at least two years of conservation-related work or research experience.
  • You must be enrolled in or admi ed to a master’s or PhD program in-country, across the region, or internationally.
  • You must plan to begin your studies no later than January 2027.
  • You must contact EFN if you are a WWF or GEF employee, consultant, or previous EFN grant recipient to determine eligibility.
  • Eligible countries include: Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Suriname.

Application

Click here to apply


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For more information, visit WWF Gustavo Fonseca Leadership Program.

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