Conservation Nation Grant Program 2026 for Early- to Mid-Career Conservationists (Up to US$5,000)

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Apply for Conservation Nation Grant Program 2026. The Conservation Nation Grant Program provides funding to help protect threatened wildlife species and the ecosystems on which they depend by building a stronger and more representative community of conservationists working to address today’s urgent biodiversity challenges.

They believe that lasting impact happens when passionate, knowledgeable, diverse, and locally connected conservationists are empowered to lead.

They support innovative, community-informed conservation efforts around the world led by practitioners from all communities, with a focus on those whose perspectives and leadership have historically been underrepresented in conservation. By investing in conservationists, we aim to help protect threatened wildlife species, preserve and restore habitats and ecosystems, and contribute to long-term biodiversity resilience across terrestrial, marine, and freshwater landscapes.

Conservation Nation Grant Program Benefits and Grant details

Through the 2026 Conservation Nation Grant Program, eight early- to mid-career conservationists will receive grants of up to US$5,000 each to advance wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection, habitat preservation, ecosystem stewardship, and community engagement.
Preference will be given to projects that include field research; however, funding requests may also support activities that are essential to advancing applicants’ conservation work but are not typically covered through traditional grant mechanisms.
In addition to grant funding, they support our grantees through the Conservation Nation Network, where we provide ongoing professional development, resources, connections, and capacity-building opportunities to ensure their growth and success.

By pairing flexible funding with an active and supportive network, Conservation Nation provides conservationists with the tools to advance solutions that contribute to a thriving future for people and wildlife.

Funding Criteria

Conservation Nation provides grants of up to US$5,000 for a one-year grant period.
Applicants must demonstrate how funding will directly support activities, research, implementation, education, or community-based efforts that contribute to protecting threatened wildlife species, preserving habitats and ecosystems, addressing biodiversity challenges, and advancing long-term conservation outcomes.
Preference is given to funding individuals directly. Applicants must have access to a bank account capable of receiving electronic funds in USD.
Only one application may be submitted per applicant.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include:

Early- to mid-career conservationists (up to 7 years of conservation experience)
Conservationists from all communities, with particular encouragement for applicants whose perspectives and leadership have historically been underrepresented in conservation
Individual conservation practitioners actively working to protect wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems
Full-time conservation professionals employed by nonprofit conservation organizations
Graduate students and above who are engaged in conservation-related studies (student applicants must provide their program director’s name and email address)

This grant program is intended to support individuals. Applications must be completed and submitted directly by the applicant.

Conservation Nation Grant Program Timeline

Applications open at 10:00 AM EST on July 8, 2026
Applications close at 11:59 PM EST on July 15, 2026
Successful applicants will be notified in early September 2026 with grant funding distributed shortly thereafter
Public announcement of grantees will occur in October 2026
Applicants must be prepared to administer grant activities between September 2026 and September 2027