Deadline: Unspecified
The Nature Conservancy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 is now accepting applications! This prestigious three-year programme is jointly hosted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Smithsonian Institution (SI) under the “Life on a Sustainable Planet” initiative. It is a globally competitive opportunity aimed at advancing interdisciplinary research that addresses today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
About the Nature Conservancy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025
The Nature Conservancy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 provides a unique opportunity for early-career scientists to engage in applied research that informs real-world conservation solutions. Successful fellows will work at the intersection of science, policy, and implementation, benefiting from mentorship by leading experts at both TNC and SI.
Key Features:
- Three-year duration, beginning in Fall 2025
- Joint supervision from TNC and Smithsonian researchers
- Fully funded, including salary, travel, publishing, and research expenses
- Flexible hybrid work arrangements depending on the project
Fellows will collaborate across institutions and disciplines to contribute to one of three research clusters designed to advance sustainable environmental practices globally.
Focus Areas for 2025
Applicants will align their research proposals with one of the following interdisciplinary themes:
1. Health Impacts of Nature-Based Water Solutions
This theme explores the public health benefits of water security projects, particularly focusing on Water Funds in Kenya. Fellows will study how conservation strategies, such as catchment restoration and natural filtration, improve health outcomes in urban and peri-urban areas.
2. Coastal Wetland Resilience and Blue Carbon
Fellows under this cluster will investigate how coastal ecosystems like mangroves and salt marshes contribute to climate resilience and carbon sequestration. Research outputs will support both conservation policy and global climate frameworks.
3. Agroforestry for Climate, Biodiversity, and Livelihoods
This stream focuses on land-use systems that combine trees with crops or livestock to optimise productivity, resilience, and biodiversity. Research will provide evidence for sustainable farming practices in tropical and subtropical regions.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
To be considered for this programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a PhD in a relevant field (e.g. ecology, environmental health, agroforestry, conservation social science) by the start of the fellowship
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to applied conservation science
- Have experience working in transdisciplinary or cross-sectoral environments
Candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and those interested in work in the Global South are especially encouraged to apply.
Timeline and Location
- Applications Open: July 3, 2025
- Fellowship Start Date: On or before October 1, 2025
- Sample Location: Nairobi, Kenya (for the Water Funds theme)
Note: While specific projects are tied to certain regions (e.g. Kenya), TNC and SI offer a flexible placement strategy across other global field sites depending on the project and applicant profile.
How to Apply
To submit your application for the Nature Conservancy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025, you’ll need to prepare:
- A research proposal tailored to one of the three thematic areas
- A CV or résumé
- Three reference contacts
- A statement of purpose outlining your fit for the programme
👉 Click here to apply
👉 Read more about the programme
Final Notes
The Nature Conservancy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 offers an unmatched opportunity to be part of high-impact, cross-sectoral environmental research. Whether your expertise lies in ecological science, human health, or sustainable agriculture, this fellowship provides the structure and mentorship to help you drive change at the systems level.
If you are preparing your proposal and would like expert assistance with drafting, refining, or reviewing, contact grantsdatabase.org.
