Applications now open for the Kinship Conservation Fellowship Program

The Kinship Conservation Fellowship is a prestigious global program that empowers conservation professionals who are driving innovative, market-based solutions to environmental challenges. Designed to strengthen the leadership capacity of practitioners and deepen their impact, the Fellowship provides participants with cutting-edge skills, fresh perspectives, and analytical tools to accelerate conservation outcomes in their home regions.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

This month-long, in-residence program takes place from June 28 to July 28, 2026, at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, USA. The Fellowship offers a unique learning experience that blends academic rigor with practical application. Through interactive lectures, peer learning, and systems-thinking exercises, Fellows explore real-world case studies, develop market-oriented conservation strategies, and refine their own project ideas under the mentorship of global experts.

The program specifically focuses on market-based solutions for conservation, encouraging participants to integrate business principles, economic analysis, and sustainable finance mechanisms into their environmental work. Over the course of four weeks, Fellows collaborate on group projects, exchange ideas, and test innovative approaches that can drive measurable and lasting change.

The Fellowship seeks mid-career conservation leaders with a minimum of five years of professional experience who are already implementing or planning to implement market-driven approaches to address environmental problems. Each applicant is required to submit a project proposal outlining a specific environmental issue relevant to their work, along with a clear plan for how they will apply market-based solutions to tackle it.

Each year, 18 outstanding applicants from diverse regions and disciplines are selected to join the Kinship community. Successful candidates typically have strong familiarity with business and economic concepts and work in roles where these can be effectively applied to conservation.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the 2026 Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold at least a four-year U.S. college degree or its international equivalent.

• Have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience following the completion of their degree.

• Demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English.

• Be actively engaged as a conservation practitioner, rather than a full-time academic or researcher.

Candidates who meet these requirements are assessed based on the viability of their proposed project, their leadership potential, and their ability to contribute to the Fellowship and the global Kinship Fellows community.

Applications for the 2026 Kinship Conservation Fellowship are now open and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (U.S. Central Standard Time) on January 11, 2026. All letters of recommendation must be uploaded by January 18, 2026. Incomplete or unsubmitted applications by the deadline will not be considered.

Benefits

Selected Fellows will receive a stipend of US$8,000, subject to standard U.S. tax withholdings. For non-U.S. citizens, this typically results in a net payment of approximately US$5,600, depending on prevailing tax laws. Fellows are responsible for any local, state, or federal taxes applicable in their home countries.

By joining the Kinship Conservation Fellowship, participants become part of a growing global network of over 300 conservation leaders who are redefining how markets can drive environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Apply now to be part of the 2026 cohort and help shape the next generation of conservation innovation. More information and the application portal are available at Kinship Conservation Fellowship.