Now accepting applications! See below.

In 1996, the African Wildlife Foundation introduced the Charlotte Conservation Fellows program to provide support for African nationals pursuing Masters degrees or doctoral research. The program was launched in tribute to the late Charlotte Kidder Ramsay, a long-time conservationist. Ms. Ramsey was a great supporter of the need to increase the skills and abilities of African professionals and institutions in order to effectively manage the wildlife resources found on the continent.

Charlotte Fellowships enable recipients to improve their qualifications, update their skills, acquire the latest information on natural resource management and adapt new technologies to their work. The Program is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and impact of African nationals in the field of conservation through the increased knowledge, skills, and credentials obtained through an advanced degree.

Each year, AWF supports as many as five Charlotte Fellows. While expenses and materials vary according to recipient, scholarships are awarded for amounts up to $25,000. Since its inception, the program has helped 41 students from East, West, central, and southern Africa pursue graduate degrees in fields ranging from biology and conservation economics to enterprise development and community conservation.

AWF is now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 Charlotte Fellows. Click here to find out how to apply.

Meet the 2007-2008 Charlotte Fellows

The 2007-2008 Fellows are exceptional in that all four Fellows are women. Each of these remarkable young women was selected from a large pool of talented applicants. Collectively, they represent the emerging face of opportunity for women across Africa who have so much to contribute to the conservation of their own wildlife and wild lands. AWF takes great pleasure in introducing the newest Charlotte Conservation Fellows:

Kenya

Shivani will study for a Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Her research will investigate the ecology and conservation status of lions in Samburu National Reserve in AWF’s Samburu Heartland. Shivani’s work will also help assess the levels of lion predation on Grevy’s zebras as well as the impacts of human-lion conflict issues in the region. Shivani was recently selected for the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Program, a joint project of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and several environmental organizations.

Botswana

Galebotswe will pursue a master's degree in Conservation Biology at the Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Her research will focus on seasonal ranging patterns and habitat preferences of reintroduced rhinos in Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana’s Okavango Delta in AWF’s Kazungula Heartland. Pearl currently works as a wildlife biologist for the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Uganda

Irene will study for a Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resource Management at the Institute of Environment and Natural Resources, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Her research will focus on the inventory and use of medicinal plants in Mabira Forest in eastern Uganda. This forest has been in the news in the recent past and is highly threatened after the government declared its intention to convert it into sugar plantations. Irene, a trained teacher, has also worked with various environmental organizations in Uganda. She also holds a bachelor's degree in Environment and Natural Resources from Makerere University in Uganda. This award will support her full study.

Tanzania

Ifura will study for a master’s degree in Natural Resource Assessment and Management at the Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. She will explore human-lion conflict issues among the Maasai around Tarangire National Park. Employed by AWF, Ifura is currently our first female field researcher. In addition to supporting Ifura’s work, this fellowship will help strengthen the capacity of African women in our own growing field research teams, a major priority for AWF.

 

> Read about recipients of the Charlotte Conservation Fellowship from previous years.