✦ AI Summary
Applications are now open for the Fonseca Leadership Program 2026, a prestigious graduate scholarship opportunity supporting emerging African conservation leaders.
Applications are now open for the Fonseca Leadership Program 2026, a prestigious graduate scholarship opportunity supporting emerging African conservation leaders. Through the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Graduate Scholarship Program is offering this leadership programme to individuals seeking to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in conservation-related fields.
The programme is designed for practical, field-focused conservation professionals whose career goals are rooted in real-world environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development across Africa.
About the Fonseca Leadership Program
The Fonseca Leadership Program 2026 aims to strengthen conservation leadership in Africa by supporting talented individuals who demonstrate commitment to applied conservation practice. Successful candidates will receive support to begin graduate studies and develop leadership skills that contribute to long-term environmental impact.
Applicants do not need to have secured admission into a graduate programme at the time of application, but must plan to commence studies no later than October of the year following the award.
Nomination and Application Process
The application process for the Fonseca Leadership Program 2026 will take place in two stages and is administered through the WCS Graduate Scholarship Program.
Stage One
- Submission of a short-form application
- Deadline: February 6, 2026
Stage Two
- Applicants approved from Stage One will be invited to submit a long-form application
- Deadline: March 30, 2026
Final Selection
- Scholarship award decisions are expected to be announced by June 2026
Nominator Approval Process
Interested applicants must first obtain approval for their nominator. To request approval, applicants should email the following information to the WCS Graduate Scholarship Program contact:
- A brief summary of the proposed nominator, including name, job title, organisation, and role description
- An abridged Curriculum Vitae of the proposed nominator, not exceeding four pages
Once approved, nomination forms will be shared with both the applicant and the approved nominator.
Required Nomination Documents
The nomination package for the Fonseca Leadership Program 2026 includes:
- Short-answer questions
- Five questions completed by the nominator
- Three questions completed by the nominee
- An abridged Curriculum Vitae for the nominee, maximum of four pages
- Three letters of recommendation
- Referees may include academic advisors, supervisors, or professionals familiar with the applicant’s qualifications and experience
Requirements
- /wp:heading
- wp:paragraph
- Only nominated applicants will be considered for the Fonseca Leadership Program 2026. Unsolicited applications will not be reviewed.
- /wp:paragraph
- wp:paragraph
- All candidates must meet the following requirements:
- /wp:paragraph
- wp:list
- Be nominated by a pre-approved and eligible nominator
- Be a citizen of a GEF-recipient country in Africa
- Demonstrate strong commitment to applied, on-the-ground conservation work
- Have clear career goals focused on practical conservation rather than purely academic research
- /wp:list
- wp:paragraph
- Eligible nominators include:
- /wp:paragraph
- wp:list
- Government officials
- Senior officials from intergovernmental agencies
- Academic professors
- Senior conservationists within Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
- Senior conservation professionals from WWF, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Conservation International (CI)
- Senior conservationists within selected national non-governmental organisations
- /wp:list
- wp:heading
Similar Recent Fellowships
Cornell CIDER Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship 2026 | $75,632 Salary in the USA at Cornell University | Ithaca, United States of America
Cornell CIDER Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship 2026 | $75,632 Salary in the USA at Cornell University | Ithaca, USA
Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship 2027: Prestigious African Leadership Fellowship for Emerging Leaders Across Africa | Johannesburg, South Africa
Nivishe Mental Health Fellowship Cohort 7: Apply for a 12-Week Virtual Mental Health Leadership Fellowship in Africa | Rwanda (Remote)