Today’s conservation challenges are more complex than ever before and require advanced skills and knowledge to tackle pressing issues from climate change and deforestation to wildlife crime and rights-based fisheries management. Unfortunately, access to higher education is still very limited in many parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America impeding committed conservationists from reaching their potential. To reduce these barriers, WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature (EFN) program provides fellowships to rising leaders to pursue graduate degree (master’s and PhD) studies in conservation-related fields anywhere in the world and conduct research in their home countries or region.
Each year, WWF supports a small number of committed conservationists from target countries to receive financial support for their studies and field research. In a highly competitive process, eligible applicants are reviewed by a panel of experts and selected for a fellowship based on the criteria noted below. Fellows attend leading regional and international universities and return home with greater skills and knowledge and a better understanding of global conservation challenges. Upon completion of their degree, fellows return to their home countries to continue their conservation careers. To date, more than 90 percent of EFN fellows are working to advance conservation efforts in their home countries.
Participating Countries
> Malawi
> Nepal
> Wildlife Crime (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam)
Eligibility
Eligible candidates must submit a completed application form along with two letters of recommendation and other supporting documents to the appropriate location for their respective countries. To be eligible for a Train Fellowship, applicants must:
be a citizen or legal resident of a participating country
have a minimum of two year's work experience in conservation
be enrolled, admitted, or have applied to an institution of higher education
begin their studies within one year from the application deadline for their respective countries
Individuals who have received a fellowship from EFN in the past and who wish to pursue a second degree are NOT eligible. Eligibility criteria may vary slightly among countries. Write to efn@wwfus.org for more details.
Selection
Train Fellows are selected through a competitive, merit-based process. An independent, interdisciplinary panel of experts is convened in each country to review applications and to identify the top candidates based on the following criteria:
Profesional qualifications as evidenced by previous and current conservation-related positions, references from colleagues in the field, publications, and other sources.
Demonstrated leadership through involvement in community and volunteer activities, the workplace, local and national government, and other areas.
Prior academic achievement as shown by grades, academic awards, references from teachers and professors, and so on.
Motivation and commitment to contribute to conservation in a participating country and to share what is learned with others in their field and in their home communities.
HOW TO APPLY
Please review all guidelines for your country or topic before completing an application.
Application Deadline: FEBRUARY 28, 2013.
Click here www.efnapplication.org to access the fellowship application
Benefits
In addition to supporting educational costs, EFN offers a full range of services to its grantees. As part of their awards, Train Fellows receive:
Financial support for tuition, books, travel (to and from training institution), and room and board for their academic programs for up to two years
Costs for field research when required by the academic institution
Networking opportunities to meet with other EFN grantees, alumni, and WWF staff through periodic regional gatherings
Ongoing professional development support through the EFN Alumni Program
Resources
For More Information
For more information on Russell E. Train Fellowships and other opportunities through the Education for Nature Program, e-mail us at efn@wwfus.org. Please include your country of origin.
Russell E. Train Fellowships 2013
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