Application Deadline: January 11, 2026
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 Kinship Conservation Fellowship Program, a prestigious opportunity designed to support conservation professionals worldwide. This Fellowship aims to foster career advancement by providing participants with cutting-edge skills, fresh perspectives, and analytical techniques tailored to enhance the conservation projects they lead in their home countries.
Spanning one month and hosted in-residence, the program takes place from June 28 to July 28, 2026, at Western Washington University, located in Bellingham, Washington, USA. The Fellowship focuses specifically on market-driven solutions within the conservation field and emphasizes developing leadership capabilities among its participants.
Throughout the program, Fellows engage in dynamic, interactive sessions including discussions, systems-thinking workshops, and collaborative peer-learning experiences. These activities are designed to expose participants to innovative, practical strategies and compelling success stories, empowering them to tackle complex challenges in their own conservation efforts.
The curriculum is delivered by a distinguished group of global experts and tailored each year to the unique composition and interests of the cohort. Fellows will delve into the six foundational areas known as the Kinship Conservation Pillars, which provide a framework for market-based conservation solutions:
- Leading Adaptively
- Iterating for Scale
- Designing for Governing the Commons
- Identifying an Economic Engine
- Financing Conservation
- Evaluating for Impact
Eligibility Criteria
The program seeks conservation leaders who have a minimum of five years of hands-on experience working in the field and who actively implement market-based approaches to address environmental issues. Applicants should be prepared to join a growing network of global leaders committed to impactful conservation work.
As part of the application process, candidates are required to submit a project proposal. This proposal must outline a specific environmental challenge related to their work and describe their strategy for developing a market-oriented solution.
During the Fellowship, participants collaborate on group projects, drawing from their combined expertise, individual project ideas, and insights gained from the curriculum and faculty guidance. This collaborative environment enhances learning and broadens the impact of each project.
To be eligible for the Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold at least a four-year college degree (or an equivalent qualification).
- Have completed a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience following their degree.
- Be proficient in both spoken and written English.
- Be an active conservation practitioner, rather than solely an academic or researcher.
For additional details and to apply, please Visit the Official Webpage of the Kinship Conservation Fellowship Program.
