Deadline: 25 August 2025

The Foundation for the Future for Nature (FFN) runs an international annual award scheme, the Future for Nature Award, to reward and fund early-career conservationists for their outstanding efforts in protecting wild species, stimulate award winners to sustain their dedicated work, help winners raise their profile, extend their professional network, and strengthen their funding basis.

Topics

The award is to be used for a conservation project that the winner will initiate and implement. The project must primarily focus on the conservation of species and should result in a practical impact. While the project may include some fundamental research, this should not be its main purpose; the emphasis must remain on direct conservation action.

Funding

There are three €50,000 prizes. In addition to the financial prize, award winners can expect to gain international recognition and other opportunities such as lectures, networking and workshops. Winners will get the chance to present their work at the annual award event (travel and accommodation expenses are provided).

The award prize money should be used for nature conservation activities of the winner’s own choice, initiated and implemented by him/her.

Eligibility

The candidate should:

• Not be older than 35 years and no younger than 18 years;
• Have achieved substantial and long-term benefit to the conservation status of one or more wild species;
• Demonstrate commitment, determination and passion for conservation work;
• Have demonstrated leadership, entrepreneurship and a clear view of conservation work;
• Show evidence of creativity and innovation in their work;
• Be determined to continue their work in conservation, as the award aims to stimulate the winner’s future work;
• Be proficient in English (written and spoken) to be able to reach a large audience.

There is no restriction on nationality or location of the applicant. Any individual can apply, regardless of their formal position or affiliation to an organisation.

How to apply

The application is done through a dedicated platform.

After the application deadline, the FFN Team forwards all eligible applications to the National Selection Committee (NSC). The members of the NSC assess the applications and select 6 to 12 candidate nominees for the FFN Awards.

After approval by the FFN Board, the nominees are requested to provide further information (written information, photos, videos, and extended reference statements). The information received from the nominees is sent to the International Selection Committee (ISC). They will select the three winning candidates for the prize.

Additional information can be obtained here.