Through the generous support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Graduate Scholarship Program (GSP) is honored to announce the Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa, to support rising African conservation leaders seeking to pursue a Masters or Ph.D. degree. These high-profile and prestigious Fellowships will honor the late Gustavo Fonseca, who contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation over the course of his career, and will be awarded to candidates from GEF recipient countries in Africa who epitomize:

• Deep and genuine commitment to conservation in their country/region

• Appropriate work experience (at least five years) with a national conservation NGO, international conservation NGO, government, private sector, academia

• Strong leadership potential

• Collaboration and an ability to work with diverse groups and perspectives across issue and sector boundaries

• Self-motivation and strong work ethic

• Applied focus, and the nation/region will benefit from future expertise in the topic under consideration

• Is at the right time in their career for further academic pursuit and maximal conservation impact, and will be capable of success at a respected institute of higher education.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the nomination process through a pre-approved nominator.

• If selected after Stage 1, complete and submit the long-form application including required documentation:

  • Short-answer questions (five for the nominator and three for the nominee).

  • Abridged Curriculum Vitae for the nominee (maximum four pages).

  • Three letters of recommendation (academic advisors, work supervisors, or others familiar with the applicant’s qualifications/abilities).

Requirements

Eligibility

• Only nominated applicants will be considered; unsolicited applications will not be reviewed.

• All candidates must be:

  • Nominated by a pre-approved/eligible nominator, including government officials, senior officials from intergovernmental agencies, academic professors, senior conservationists within WCS, WWF, TNC, CI, or select national NGOs.

  • A citizen of a GEF recipient country in Africa.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Practical conservationists, with career goals rooted in applied, practical, on-the-ground conservation, rather than purely academic pursuits.

• Appropriate professional experience and leadership potential.

• Intention to begin studies no later than October of the year following the award.