In memory of tropical scientist Gustavo Fonseca and his contributions to biodiversity conservation, the Global Environment Facility has established the Fonseca Leadership Program. Named in honor of the GEF’s long-serving Director of Programs who passed away in 2022, the program builds on partnerships with several existing institutional programs dedicated to producing and supporting the next generation of conservationists. The goal of the program is to address the specific needs and requirements for conservation professionals from developing countries and countries with economies in transition, which are the recipients of GEF funding.
The Fonseca Leadership Program spotlights two aspects of becoming a conservation professional: formal graduate academic training, and conservation field work. All the established partnerships focus on a specific geographic region and either on graduate training or field grants.
“This program will focus on youth and their role in the future of environmental governance and stewardship. Young people from developing countries play a critical role in effecting future change and the GEF is strongly committed to supporting their research, studies, professional development, and leadership,” said Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, the GEF’s CEO and Chairperson.
Activities
The Fonseca Leadership Program is designed to have a global reach, and it is coordinating its activities with several partners in the field of conservation and education:
Wildlife Conservation Network’s “The Amazonia Rising Conservation Leaders Program” is an early career program focusing on conservationists in Amazonia – a very appropriate recognition of Gustavo Fonseca’s history and dedication to the region. This program is part of WCN’s Rising Wildlife Leaders initiative, which since its inception in 2022, has supported the training of 230 young conservation practitioners. With co-funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Amazonia program aims to equip 25 young conservationists from the region with the skills, networks, and confidence to step into effective conservation roles. They will participate in a two-year leadership development program, which will depend on (a) workshops, focusing on core leadership competencies and conservation skills; (b) individual capacity building, through in-person training, courses, and conferences; and (c) formal and informal mentoring with senior professionals. Learn more >>
FUNBIO’s “Gustavo Fonseca Fellowships - Conserving the Future” is a research support program providing fellowships to support graduate conservation field research across Brazil. This fellowship program is part of FUNBIO’s Conserving the Future initiative, which since 2018, has provided field research support to 164 young conservationists. Most students are already the recipients of Brazilian government grants from CAPES or CNPq, and the fellowships can be used to support all elements of graduate education, but are especially targeted for the acquisition of equipment, material, and other items critical to successful field research. Over the first three years of the program, FUNBIO expects to award Fonseca Fellowships to approximately 30 PhD students and 15 master’s students. Learn more >>
WCS’s “Gustavo Fonseca Fellowships for Africa” is a fellowship program providing graduate support to conservationists from Africa for master’s and PhD study at universities traditionally in the developed world, but increasingly in the developing world. The fellowship program is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Graduate Scholarship Program (GSP) that has - over the last 25 years - provided graduate fellowships to 143 emerging conservation leaders from developing countries. Candidates are nominated by conservation professionals in the region (largely sub-Saharan Africa), and once selected are placed in universities with assistance from GSP staff. GSP staff provide mentoring throughout the student’s graduate career and help with finding research support. Over the next three years, the program will support eight Gustavo Fonseca Fellows covering their tuition and living expenses at the selected university. Learn more >>
WWF’s “Gustavo Fonseca Fellowships for Latin America – Education for Nature” is a fellowship program providing graduate support to conservationists from Latin America that will allow master’s and PhD study at universities. The program is part of WWF’s Russell Train Education for Nature (EFN) program, which has over the last 28 years, allowed grant recipients from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to pursue higher education, in-country or regional, and conduct research addressing conservation challenges. Potential candidates apply for fellowship support. EFN staff provide support to successful candidates through the university of their choice. Over the next three years, the program will annually support at least nine Gustavo Fonseca Fellows (four PhD students and five master’s students). Learn more >>
National Center for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, India, through its academic program “Master in Wildlife Biology and Conservation” is a conservation training program established in 2004. The curriculum of the program is designed to produce conservation practitioners and has so far produced 135 graduates. In addition to taking coursework and field training, students are encouraged to work with conservation organizations and research institutes. The traditional focus has been on recruiting students from South Asia, but Gustavo Fonseca Fellows will be drawn from all developing countries across Asia, including Indochina and Southeast Asia. Over the next three years, the program will support two cohorts of five students from this expanded list of eligible countries. Learn more >>
Life Through Wildlife’s “Fonseca Fellowships,” through the Stellenbosch University in South Africa and the University of Florida in the USA, with funding support from the Jamma Foundation, is a practical, academically-based training program that focuses on building capacity for community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in Africa. Most of the Fonseca Fellows will be recruited from CBNRM anchor sites in southern and East Africa. They will enroll in the Master of Philosophy or Master of Museum Practice programs in Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University and take additional courses at the University of Florida in ‘Wildlife economy governance and CBNRM.’ Field application is a central part of the curriculum. Over the next three years, the program will provide part-time support for 15 students for their graduate training. Learn more >>
Lincoln University, New Zealand, “Gustavo Fonseca Applied Conservation Scholarship Program,” through its PhD and Master of International Nature Conservation curriculum is a conservation training program. The university has a long history in providing international conservation and natural resource education, with a special focus on Nepal and Malaysia (going back to 1956). With partial underwriting from the university, the program will identify and support Fonseca Scholars from the Asia Pacific who are committed to protecting the environment and addressing conservation issues. Over the next three years, the program aims to recruit three PhD students and four master’s students as Fonseca Scholars. Learn more >>
Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund’s and Re:wild’s Fonseca Field Grants will support field research on species conservation that covers all GEF recipient countries. Both partnerships will issue specific requests for proposal aimed at young conservation professionals and will provide financial support for the acquisition of equipment, material, and any necessary investment for the development of field research.
Learn more about Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund >>
Learn more about Re:wild's Fonseca Field Grants >>
About Gustavo Fonseca
Gustavo Fonseca (1956-2022) was a giant in the conservation world. A Brazilian, Gustavo combined formal training with a talent for translating complex environmental problems into practical solutions. In so doing, he elevated the environment to the center of discussions around sustainable development and social equity. As a mentor, professor, and supervisor, he was also known for inspiring, encouraging, and supporting the next generation of conservationists.
For many years, Gustavo was the Director of Programs at the GEF, overseeing investments of combined over $10 billion in environmental projects and programs in developing countries. He shaped international environmental policy through his work at the GEF, with implementing agencies, and in UN negotiations on a range of topics and priorities.
The GEF honors this legacy through the Gustavo Fonseca Youth Conservation Leadership Program, a multifaceted program to develop the capacity of young conservationists in developing countries.