Deadline: March 31, 2026.

This Fellowship programme, launched in September 2021, is run by Professor Milner-Gulland, Tasso Leventis Professor of Biodiversity in the Department of Biology, and her team in the Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science. It offers NGO, government and business employees working on biodiversity conservation, as well as researchers in academic institutions, the opportunity to engage with researchers based at the University of Oxford, and to benefit from the training, resources and opportunities the University has to offer.

The scheme offers the chance to spend up to three months at Oxford, attending training courses, networking and creating collaborations, writing papers, and developing ideas. It also offers remote support, training and networking opportunities before and after the time spent in Oxford. Successful applicants can spend their Fellowship in any Department of the University as long as their project is within the sphere of conservation.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. If you are a senior member of staff, who would benefit from the opportunities offered by taking part in their programme and stepping away from your NGO, government, or business environment and commitments for a short period of time, to develop new strategic approaches, write up their ideas, or build partnerships, then this scheme may be right for you.
2. Alternatively, if you are at a relatively early stage in your career, and would benefit from the academic possibilities offered by the University of Oxford and the ICCS group you are also particularly welcome to apply. Particularly if you would benefit from learning new skills, analysing and writing up your datasets, and building an international network.

BENEFITS

1. Visitors will be given vital time and support to, for example: realise the potential of their datasets, design and test their conservation strategies, to develop new ideas, attend training courses, network with potential collaborators and to share their knowledge and experience with their Oxford-based peers. This will benefit everyone: the practitioners themselves, researchers, students, and the wider university. Most importantly, it will enable more effective and sustainable biodiversity conservation into the long term, on the ground.
2. A comprehensive fellowship experience, the experience we provide for fellows extends far beyond academic inputs. Their programme considers their entire experience in the UK, offering opportunities to take part in activities such as visiting the many museums and historic colleges Oxford has to offer, formal banqueting in Oxford’s colleges, attending Evensong, punting, birdwatching, and other ‘tourist’ activities, not to mention becoming immersed in British culture, food and customs, and importantly, making long lasting friendships and collaborative relationships.
3. They ensure that visitors are paired in advance with an academic working in their particular area of interest, and they also get an early career researcher to act as a “buddy”. This benefits both the visitor and the early career researcher. This mentoring system ensures that their visitors have two points of contact, for academic experiences but also for cultural and practical questions, and for socialising.

APPLICATION

To register your interest in becoming a Leventis African Biodiversity Fellow in 2027, please fill in the short form on their website by 31st March 2026. Their team will review all expressions of interest by the end of April 2026, and will invite successful candidates to fill in further application details in May 2026.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE