Apply Now for the Fonseca Leadership Program and Elevate Your Conservation Career with a master’s or Ph.D.

Thanks to the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Graduate Scholarship Program (GSP) is excited to launch the Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa. Consequently, the program invites dedicated African conservation leaders to apply for support in pursuing their master’s or Ph.D. degrees. This opportunity allows candidates to gain invaluable knowledge and skills that will shape the future of conservation. Therefore, interested individuals should apply now to make a difference!
Fonseca Leadership Program Fellowship Overview
These distinguished Fellowships honor the legacy of Gustavo Fonseca, whose impactful work in biodiversity conservation left a lasting mark. Therefore, they invite applications from candidates in GEF recipient countries in Africa who exemplify:
- A genuine and profound dedication to conservation in their local context
- At least five years of relevant experience with a national or international conservation NGO, government agency, private sector, or academic institution
- Promising leadership qualities
- A knack for collaboration, able to engage with diverse perspectives across various sectors and issues
- A strong sense of self-motivation and a solid work ethic
- A practical focus that promises to enhance expertise in their field, benefiting their nation or region
- The opportune moment in their career for academic advancement that will amplify their conservation efforts, along with the potential to thrive in a respected higher education environment.
Eligibility Criteria for the Fonseca Leadership Program
Only nominated applicants will be considered. Unsolicited applications will not be reviewed.
To qualify, all candidates must:
- Secure a nomination from an approved or eligible nominator. This can include government officials, senior officials from intergovernmental agencies, academic professors, and senior conservationists from organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Conservation International (CI). Additionally, senior conservationists from selected national NGOs can also serve as nominators.
- Hold citizenship in a GEF recipient country in Africa.
Moreover, the most competitive candidates show a strong commitment to practical conservation. They focus on applied, on-the-ground efforts rather than purely academic pursuits. While candidates do not need acceptance into a graduate program to qualify, they should plan to begin their studies no later than October of the year following their award.
2025 Call for Nominations Now Open
Instructions for Nomination and Application Process for the Fonseca Leadership Program:
The application process for the 2025 Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa through the WCS GSP consists of two stages.
First, candidates must submit an initial short-form application by 7 February 2025. Afterward, those approved in the first round will receive an invitation to complete a long-form application. This long-form application is due by Monday, 31 March 2025. Finally, scholarship award decisions will be announced in May 2025.
Nomination Process for the Fonseca Leadership Program
Approved nominators can nominate only one candidate. Therefore, interested applicants should contact Kate Mastro at kmastro@wcs.org to:
- Obtain nominator approval. This step requires applicants to send a brief summary of the proposed nominator (1/2 to 1 page). The summary should include the nominator’s name, job title, place of employment, and a high-level job summary, along with a concise Curriculum Vitae (no more than four pages).
- Receive the necessary forms. Once the nominator gains approval, applicants will receive the required forms.
These forms consist of several short questions and supporting documentation:
- Six questions for the nominator
- Three questions for the nominee
- An abridged Curriculum Vitae, limited to four pages
- Three letters of recommendation. Referees may include academic advisors, work supervisors, or other individuals familiar with the applicant’s abilities. However, the nominator cannot serve as a referee.
For additional about the Fonseca Leadership Program details, please feel free to check out the official website here.
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