CLP Future Conservationist Awards 2027 For Early-career Conservationists Worldwide ( Up to $15,000 Project Grants)

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Applications are open for CLP Future Conservationist Awards 2027. The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) is offering early-career conservationists an opportunity to secure project funding of up to US$15,000, alongside longer-term support through the CLP global Alumni Network.

The awards are designed to support practical conservation projects that combine ecological research with conservation action to address globally important, at-risk habitats and species. The 2027 application process has introduced a two-stage approach, beginning with a concept note submission.

CLP Future Conservationist Awards Benefits

The annual CLP Future Conservationist Awards provide funding and professional development support to emerging conservationists working on projects with clear conservation impact.
Successful teams can receive a project grant of up to US$15,000. Award recipients also gain access to ongoing support through the CLP Alumni Network, including opportunities for funding, training and mentorship.
For the 2027 cycle, applicants must first submit a concept note. Only shortlisted, highest-scoring concepts will proceed to the second stage and be invited to submit a full application.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a CLP Future Conservationist Award, the team and project must meet the following eligibility criteria.

All team members must be early in their careers (i.e., have no more than five years of professional conservation experience)
Project teams must include at least three people and explain how each team member will develop their capacity through the project.
All team members must be nationals of the country in which the project will take place, although one team member can be a non-national if this is clearly justified.
Projects must take place in an eligible country (see guidelines)
Project duration must be between six and 12 months.
Proposed projects must go beyond academic research and this must be demonstrated in the application.
The total funding request from CLP must not exceed US$15,000 and CLP funding must cover at least 50% of the project budget.

What Projects Can Be Supported?

Proposed projects must deliver effective conservation interventions for globally important, at-risk habitats and species. Projects must combine ecological research with practical conservation action.

The CLP identifies several priority themes, including:

Climate impact and adaptation
Biodiversity conservation
Habitat restoration and/or management
Social development and wellbeing
Indigenous community participation and community-led conservation
Environmental policy
Human-wildlife conflict
Environmental education and citizen science

Projects should focus on species considered at risk according to the IUCN Red List, including Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Data Deficient species, or species for which there is evidence of an urgent need for local conservation action.

How To Apply for CLP Future Conservationist Awards

The 2027 application process is different compared to previous years. Stage 1 requires the submission of a concept note, and Stage 2 invites only the shortlisted (highest-scoring) concepts to submit a full application.

Stage 1: Please find below a downloadable concept note application template and detailed guidelines that must be followed to complete it. Concept notes must be submitted by the deadline of Friday, October 30, 2026, 23:59 GMT. Late, incomplete or ineligible submissions will not be considered (please see the detailed concept note guidelines, and below advice, on eligibility). Concept notes should be submitted to clp.applications@birdlife.org.
- Concept note template
- Guidelines on completing the concept note template (including eligibility criteria)
Stage 2: Shortlisted concept note applicants will be notified and invited to submit a full application via our online application portal. Detailed guidelines on completing the full application will be provided to those who reach this stage.

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Application Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026, 23:59 GMT.