Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) corresponding to the eligibility requirements of applying for a Whitley Award. We hope that these generic answers help you to understand the application process.

Your Eligibility

Q. It is mentioned in the Application Process section that WFN looks for specific things in applications. What are you looking for?

A.

• Whitley Awards recognise the leadership qualities of individuals working with effective teams with strong nature conservation experience. We look for people who are excellent ambassadors for the work that they do. Effective conservation is the result of teamwork, however, applications must specify a distinct leader of the team, someone who drives it forward.
• We seek applications from the leaders of pragmatic, grassroots initiatives, and these will be given priority over purely scientific or academic activities. WFN do not fund governmental work.
• Whitley Awards winners are nationals of the countries where their conservation activities are focused (i.e. they were born there or have lived there a long time and have achieved national status) or are local to the region in which they work. This is because we have found these people often have the understanding necessary to bring about long term change and build capacity locally.  Recent expatriates from developed, high-income economy countries are not eligible for Whitley Awards.   
• Whitley Awards have been awarded to people around the world, but has evolved a focus on individuals working in locations where international funds are hardest to raise, most needed, and will make the largest conservation impact. The strategic focus of the Whitley Awards is national conservation leadership in countries that are not defined as a High Income Economy by the World Bank (see http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups). Exceptions to this criterion include Equatorial Guinea and certain island nations in the Caribbean. If you have any questions about eligible countries, please contact WFN.
• Applicants must be able to communicate in English, and be capable of compiling a written report to describe and quantify the success of their work with appropriate academic references.
• Cost-effective projects will succeed over those that are less efficient, do not provide evidence of value for money, or which intend to spend a high percentage of the Award on salaries and international travel.
• Funding from WFN should form a significant component of the project's financial requirement (e.g. at least 30%).  WFN’s funding schemes are not designed to make minor contributions to very large projects better served by other funding agencies.
• PhD projects, MSc dissertations and undergraduate projects are not eligible for the Whitley Award. WFN does not fund expeditions.
• We look for projects which actively involve and genuinely engage the local community and build capacity.
• Successful applicants will be supported by a strong team and/or local NGO.  Supporting teams must include individuals who are local to the country or region where the project is taking place, and must contain the range of relevant skills and knowledge necessary to ensure successful execution of the proposed activities. It is also understood that in some situations, the inclusion of international team members with specialist skills and knowledge may be required for project success.
• Community and stakeholder education is considered very important to successful nature conservation projects.
• It is not a requirement of the team leader to hold professional scientific qualifications. However, projects that aim to address issues on a biological level will need to demonstrate that activities will be informed based on scientific data. The inclusion of appropriate scientists or expertise on the team will also be expected if this is relevant to the project.
• WFN funds initiatives that address broad nature conservation and sustainability issues, and which seek long-term solutions to environmental problems (i.e. projects that take an ecosystem approach rather than a purely species specific approach).
• Projects that seek to create long-term conservation benefits will be given priority over projects whose effects are likely to be short-term. The applicant should intend to devote a considerable period of time to the project, and set the project up in such a way that it can have a sustained future and can carry on functioning usefully should the team leader move on.
• Applications which give evidence that the project can become self-supporting or be able to levy further funds over time will be given succeed over projects that are likely to fail once immediate funds have expired.

Q. So, undergraduate research expeditions are not eligible for a Whitley Award?
A. No, undergraduate expeditions are not eligible.

Q. I would like to apply for funding for a conservation project related to my MSc/ PhD work. Am I eligible?
A. No, the Whitley Awards are not open to those seeking support for their MSc  or PhD projects.

Your Project

Q. What kind of conservation work would qualify for funding from the Whitley Fund for Nature?

A. WFN has a broad scope of interest. Threatened habitat conservation, projects utilising flagship species as a focal point for mobilising local communities, livelihood development projects which reduce pressure on wild resources, or which utilise wild resources sustainably, wildlife-people conflict resolution, in-situ conservation of endangered species – all would be projects we are interested in. Measurable biodiversity conservation impact is essential. Take a look at our past winners in the Our Winners section to get a better idea of what WFN funds.

Q. So any kind of nature conservation project might be eligible?

A. Broadly speaking, yes, but the overriding requirement is that the work must be of a pragmatic nature, and make a substantial and long lasting impact on the issue in question.  There will generally be a significant human element to a successful proposal, with community education and involvement being very important. This is because experience has shown these are the projects which are most likely to be successful in the long term.  Winning projects generally have an explicit biodiversity conservation focus.

Q. Does WFN give Awards based on conservation work with a single species?

A. WFN aims to support work at a habitat or ecosystem level rather than purely species-specific work.

Q. Can I be working anywhere in the world in order to be eligible to apply for a Whitley Award?

A. WFN gives funding to projects based in areas where international funds will have the largest impact. Such projects are often based in countries that are biodiversity rich, but capacity and resource poor. The Whitley Award can help bring new skills and conservation education opportunities to an area, and training for team members, so building conservation capacity.  For these reasons, and as already stated above, Whitley Awards focus on countries that are not defined as a High Income Economy by the World Bank (see http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups). Exceptions to this criterion include Equatorial Guinea and certain island nations in the Caribbean. If you have any questions about eligible countries, please contact WFN.

Q. You state that Whitley Awards are intended for individuals. Does this mean you are looking for people who are working on their own?

A. No. We do want an identifiable individual to be the funding recipient, point of contact and media focus for the Award winning project. However, team working is vitally important to project success. We are looking for the individual spearheading a campaign or conservation programme, and generally such people lead a team and/or a non-governmental organisation (NGO). We seek the creation of a long-lasting conservation effort, so a solo effort will not achieve support.

Q. Does my project need to be up and running in its ideal form before I can apply for funding?

A. WFN’s funding schemes are designed to support energetic conservationists who may not have had a big break before. We are happy to see applications from those whose project is in its early stages, but WFN does not fund "start-up" projects which have been conceived, but which have not yet begun in any form in the field. A key requirement is evidence of prior success of proposed activities.

Q. So how big should my project be to qualify for the Whitley Award?

A. WFN aims to support projects where funding would "make it happen". We do give support where funding forms only a small proportion of the funds required for things to ‘happen’, or for the funds to be useful only in the short term. Ideally, Whitley Award funding will act as a catalyst for the project, without requiring the winner to spend much more time fundraising. Clearly as the project grows, further funds may be needed, but at least for the first year or so the WFN funds should make a meaningful contribution to the funding required

Q. I have a project which has been running successfully on a small scale for some time. I would like to gear it up and expand into other areas and increase the number of local team members. Would this be a suitable basis for an application?

A. Yes, WFN is keen to support those who have started on a small scale and now want to expand their activities. We value the experience and good local knowledge project leaders acquire on a small scale, and their enthusiasm to apply this on a larger scale.  Conservation success is all about effective replication.

Your application

Q. I have read that the Whitley Award winners need to be able to communicate their message through the media - does this mean that I have to be a slick presenter?

A. We believe that to gain the maximum benefit from winning an Award, you need to be able to exploit the media opportunities presented - these can often be even more useful to your cause than the financial award involved. That is not to say that you need to be a professional presenter, but you need to be willing to use the media as far as possible to further your cause. Passion and commitment can be highly convincing weapons in your armoury.  Should you win a Whitley Award, professional media training will form part of the Awards week in the U.K.

Q. I am not an accountant! How much detail has to go into the financial summary?

A. We are looking for a sensible digest of your expected income and expenditure over the coming 12 months, showing how you would use the Whitley Award funds if your application is successful.  If you can provide information beyond those 12 months, then do include this as well, it helps to evidence that you are planning ahead and helps us understand the financial situation going forward.  

Whilst we do not want huge amounts of detail, it would be helpful to see expenditure by category such as food, fuel, equipment (state purpose), subsistence payments for local team etc. In terms of income, split income by expected source, and identify any other grants or awards applied for, and whether these were successful. Give too much rather than too little information, as the application screening process may not allow time to request further information. Try to be as transparent as possible.  Please note that if you lead or are part of an organisation you should submit financial information about that organisation as well as for your specific work, so that we can understand the context better. Remember to supply all information in both the local currency AND in GBP (£), and include the exchange rate used.

Q. What sort of items should I put in the budget?

A. The budget needs to be broken down into clearly identifiable parts - what equipment is required, what is being spent on subsistence, travel etc. Salaries need to be well justified in the application. We also need to understand what other sources of income there are. We need enough detail about budget items that we can get a clear picture of what is needed and be able to assess whether the costs are reasonable. Budget items must be broken down to no more than £2,000 per item.

Q. My project is at a very early stage and if I win an award from WFN, that will be the catalyst which will really get things going - so how can I give financial information about my project for the current year?

A. If your project has only recently begun, then you should give budget and forecast financial information. Don't forget that if you have incurred set up costs you should let us know about these, and indicate how you have funded the preliminary work - whether through personal contributions, donations from friends, minor grants from institutions etc.

Q. You need me to provide three referee statements. What sort of person should I approach?

A. Referees need to be able to comment with authority as to the usefulness, scientific validity and practicality of your work.  Preferably they will also be able to comment on the level of support given by the country in which you are working to the project, and specifically whether you have the support of local stakeholders, the government and/or non-governmental organisations. In all references, we also place high value on referees’ assessment of the applicant’s personality, dedication and ability to manage and be responsible with funds. In addition to the reference from a local source, at least one reference should be from an international referee (i.e. from someone from a different country to where you are working).  This referee should provide you with a reference that puts your work into a global context.  All the referees should know about you and your work; references that start 'I do not know the applicant, but...' are never highly regarded!  Your referees should not have a financial interest in your project's success.

Q. Are these referee statements important?

A. They are absolutely critical to your application. Please ensure that all three statements are submitted to us in good time so that they can be considered with your application. All three references (and the completed application form) must be received by the deadline.  Please see the Application Process section for details on when and how the references should be submitted.

Q. I am a previous Whitley Award Winner and want to apply for Continuation Funding. Can I use the same referees as I did for my original application?

A. Yes, you may use the same referees, but they will need to provide fresh referee statements, commenting on how your work has developed since you were given funding by WFN. We cannot use statements we have on file from your original application, and cannot accept references identical to ones we have seen before.

Q: If our proposal has been unsuccessful, can we appeal?

A: Appeals are not possible, and the Judging Panel’s decision is final.  We carefully assess all applications which are eligible, and where resources allow, provide feedback on why your application was unsuccessful.  However, we cannot enter into dialogue or correspondence regarding unsuccessful applications.

Q If our application is not successful, may we re-apply at a later date?

A: As long as the application meets the criteria, a re-application can be made at the next deadline after the initial application.  If you choose to re-apply, please note that though you may use the same referees, three fresh reference statements will be required.  Applicants who re-apply and who are rejected for a second time may not apply for a third year consecutively.