Professional Development Grants (PDGs) provide support for mid-career
conservationists to pursue short-term, non-degree training to upgrade
their knowledge and skills. These trainings can include short courses,
certificate trainings, or conferences among other training
opportunities.
PDGs support training-related costs, including registration fees and
tuition, meals and accommodations, books and materials, international
travel, visa fees, and local transportation. Training may take place
anywhere in the world and applicants can request up to $6,500.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria to be considered for a grant.
- You must be a citizen of an eligible country.
- You must currently be living and working in your home country.
- You must have at least three years of paid work experience in a conservation-related field in your home country.
- You must have applied to or already be accepted to participate in the proposed training at the time you submit your application.
- Your current work and proposed training must help advance conservation in your home country.
- You must not be enrolled in an academic degree program.
- You must have approval from your employer to participate in the proposed training and the promise of continued employment.
- You must have a bank account in your own name that can receive US dollars and international wire transfers.
- You must not have received funding from EFN in the past. Previous PDG recipients may be eligible for Alumni Grants.
- The proposed training must take place at least 90 days after the application deadline.
- You must submit all required documents by the application deadline.
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applicants must complete an application by one of the deadlines noted below. The proposed training must take place at least 90 days after the application deadline to allow EFN time for review, selection and processing of the grant.
Individuals may submit an online application at any time. Completed
applications will be reviewed on the dates noted above, and applicants
will be notified of the results within one month after the application
deadline. Please note: PDGs are highly competitive. Meeting the minimum
eligibility requirements does not guarantee you will receive a grant.
