The Whitley Awards

What are they?
A Whitley Award is a top nature conservation prize, designed to provide the winner with:

• International recognition that enhances their credibility
• Worldwide media visibility for their project
• Financial support to pursue their ongoing conservation work
• A supportive international network of other Whitley Award winners and Friends through which to solicit advice and support.

At the Whitley Awards 2007, there were eight awards of £30,000 each, plus the Whitley Gold Award.  The Gold Award WFN’s top Award. It is awarded annually to the Whitley Award winner whose work and objectives most impress the Judging Panel each year. The further £30,000 provided by this Award grants a second year of funding to the Gold Award winner. All of the Whitley Award winners are automatically considered for the Gold Award, so there is no separate application process.

When are they given?
Whitley Awards are awarded at the Whitley Awards Ceremony, hosted by our patron, HRH The Princess Royal. The Ceremony is held annually at the Royal Geographical Society, and usually takes place in the Spring.

Who is it for?
Whitley Awards were developed to recognise conservation leaders from around the world who are applying sustained effort to conserve the natural environment. Our scope of interest has in the past included, but is not limited to: protecting endangered ecosystems and species, promoting sustainability, and influencing environmental policies.

Every applicant and project is considered on their own merits. However, there are a number of premises which guide the Whitley Award Judging Panel, and it is recommended that you read this information carefully before applying. Please see the Application process section for details. To check your eligibility, we also recommend you read our FAQs section.

Continuation Funding
WFN actively encourages winners to secure sustainable sources of project funding from a wide range of funders. However, we are aware of the limited resources available for nature conservation and the fierce competition that exists. Continuation Funding is intended to allow previous Whitley Award winners to be able continue their work where outstanding contributions to nature conservation are being made.

Continuation Funding is available only to previous winners of a Whitley Award who have provided us with a satisfactory report 12 months after receipt of their Award. Applications for Continuation Funding are considered bi-annually, and the two deadlines are the end of October and the end of April each year.

If you are interested in applying for Continuation Funding, please see the Application process section for further details. 

Rufford Small Grants
The Rufford Small Grants are administered by the Rufford Small Grants Foundation (created 2007).  Though we maintain close links with the Rufford Small Grants, they are not part of the Whitley Awards scheme or Whitley Fund for Nature. Please see the RSG website for information about how to apply, or contact the Grants Director Josh Cole directly at: josh@rufford.org