WCS Graduate Scholarship Program: Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa-Empowering the Next Generation of African Conservation Leaders

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), with generous support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has launched the Fonseca Leadership Program in Africa, a prestigious new branch of the WCS Graduate Scholarship Program (GSP). This fellowship honors the legacy of the late Gustavo Fonseca, a global champion for biodiversity conservation, and seeks to empower emerging African conservation leaders pursuing Master’s or Ph.D. studies.

Designed to support individuals shaping the future of conservation across the continent, the program invests in dedicated practitioners working to protect biodiversity, strengthen conservation systems, and drive measurable impact in their home countries.

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What the Program Looks For

Fellowships will be awarded to exceptional candidates who demonstrate:

• A deep and authentic commitment to conservation in their region
• Minimum five years of relevant experience with a national NGO, international NGO, government agency, academic institution, or private-sector conservation initiative
• Strong leadership potential and a collaborative mindset
• Ability to work across sectors, communities, and diverse perspectives
• Self-motivation, discipline, and a strong work ethic
• Applied, practical conservation focus, with clear national or regional benefits
• The right timing in their career to pursue further academic study and maximize impact

Applicants do not need to be accepted into a graduate program at the time of application, but should plan to begin studies no later than October of the year following the award.

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Eligibility Requirements

Only nominated applicants will be considered.

Candidates must:

• Be nominated by an approved nominator, such as:
  • Government officials
  • Senior staff from intergovernmental agencies
  • Professors
  • Senior conservationists from WCS, WWF, CI, TNC
  • Senior conservationists from select national NGOs
• Be a citizen of a GEF-recipient country in Africa
• Demonstrate practical, applied conservation experience and goals

Unsolicited applications will not be reviewed.

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2026 Call for Nominations – Now Open

The nomination and application process includes two stages:

Stage 1 — Short-Form Application

Deadline: February 6, 2026

Stage 2 — Long-Form Application

Applicants advancing from Stage 1 will be invited to submit a full application.
Deadline: March 30, 2026

Final Decisions

Award announcements are expected by June 2026.

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How to Begin the Nomination Process

To request approval for a nominator, prospective applicants must email Kate Mastro at kmastro@wcs.org with:

1. A brief summary of the proposed nominator:
   • Name
   • Job title
   • Organization
   • Their role and relevance
2. An abridged CV for the nominator (max. 4 pages)

Once approved, WCS will provide the official nomination forms to both applicant and nominator.

Required documents include:

• Short-answer responses (5 questions for nominator, 3 for nominee)
• Nominee’s abridged CV (max. 4 pages)
• Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees

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About the Fellowship

The Fonseca Leadership Program is aimed at conservation practitioners seeking advanced academic training that strengthens their ability to drive real, on-the-ground impact. Fellows joining this prestigious program will gain not only financial support for graduate study, but also visibility, credibility, and a pathway to leadership across Africa’s conservation sector.

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