We expect each cohort to consist of approximately 12 fellows.

The application closes March 1st, at 11:59 PM EST. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as they are received. After the initial application is submitted, Boundless staff may reach out with additional questions or to schedule an interview with applicants.

Candidates will be accepted into the fellowship on a rolling basis, beginning on March 1st, 2024. All applicants will be notified of the selection committee's decision by May 15th, 2024.

Some application questions can be answered in either English, Spanish, or Portuguese (whichever language the applicant prefers), but other questions require a written or spoken answer in English. The application is intended to allow applicants to express themselves in the language in which they are most comfortable, while also demonstrating an ability to communicate and build relationships in English.

Generally speaking, we are looking for fellows who bring approximately 10 years of work experience in a field or profession related to the protection of nature. Applications from applicants who are under 18 years old will not be considered.

Any country in North America (except Cuba), Central America, South America, or the Caribbean is eligible for participation in the fellowship.

No. We expect fellows to be actively living and working in North America, Central America, South America, or the Caribbean. They do not need to be citizens of that country in order to apply for the fellowship.

Boundless is not an academic fellowship and does not fund academic programs or degrees. Fellows are expected to remain in their jobs and home communities during the fellowship.

Yes, WWF employees and their family members are eligible to join the Boundless Fellowship. However, their WWF affiliation will not be given preferential treatment during the fellowship selection process. Every applicant will be evaluated equally to identify the most qualified individuals for Boundless. Any applicant with a relationship to WWF must disclose that relationship on the application, to prevent conflicts of interest. Please note, additionally, that WWF employees will not be eligible for the Boundless stipend.

A stipend of $5,000 USD per year is granted to each fellow, contingent on their full participation in all fellowship programming. The stipend is in addition to full funding for travel and participation in all Boundless programming, as well as substantial seed funding for work the fellows undertake. Please note that WWF employees will not be eligible for the $5000 annual stipend as Boundless Fellows.

No. Boundless Fellows are expected to remain in their jobs and communities during the fellowship. It is recommended, and in some cases required, that fellows secure support and approval from their supervisors or employers before accepting the fellowship.

It is recommended, and in the case of government employees it is required, that fellows secure support and approval from their supervisors or employers before accepting the fellowship as they will need to ensure they can participate in the four ten-day Encounters and monthly online seminars. We may ask for written approval from your employer at a later stage of the application process.

Over the course of two years, fellows must plan to participate in each of the four Encounters, which occur approximately every six months and last for ten days (door to door), as well as monthly online seminars. They should also be prepared to commit significant time to the Breakthrough Initiative, which will likely, but not necessarily, be integrated with their current role or position within their organization.

The fellowship will begin in late October 2024.

The fellowship lasts for two years, and over the course of those two years the fellows will participate in four group trips, called Encounters, monthly seminars online, and a final in-person gathering in Washington, DC at the conclusion of the fellowship.

The shared linguistic foundation of the program will be English; therefore, fellows are asked to demonstrate an effort and willingness to conduct themselves in English. However, a consistent attempt will be made to provide materials in Spanish and Portuguese.

All costs related to participation in the fellowship will be covered by the program, including all travel expenses related to the Encounters. There is a $5,000USD stipend granted to participants each year of the fellowship, as well as additional funding for work related to the Breakthrough Initiative.

Upon completion of the program, fellows are asked to join the Boundless Conservation Collective, a network of global conservation leaders committed to ensuring the success of upcoming leaders and providing them with the tools and connections they need to be successful.

The Encounters will take place throughout the Americas, and each Encounter will take place in a different location. Encounter locations are selected to allow fellows to witness critical conservation sites and cities where large-scale impact decisions are made. Those who are selected to become fellows will be notified of Encounter sites and travel dates prior to accepting the fellowship.

The first encounter will take place from October 26 - November 4, 2024. The location of that Encounter, and the exact timing and location of all other Encounters, are provisional and subject to change.

Yes, it is required to attend all four encounters throughout the two-year fellowship. The Encounters are the central opportunity for fellows to contribute to, and learn from, the Boundless community.

Access to wi-fi and mobile signal on encounters cannot be guaranteed. Some trips may involve travel to very remote areas where there is no connectivity. Fellows should be prepared to be out of contact with their families and employers during these times.

Each encounter will last approximately 10 days, including travel days, and will consist of roughly a week of on-the-ground programming. Fellows can expect to depart their homes on a Friday evening and return ten days later. There will be four encounters throughout the two-year fellowship.

The Breakthrough Initiative will start at the beginning of the second year of the fellowship.

Fellows will propose a budget for the implementation of their Breakthrough Initiative, with access to up to $25,000USD in funding. Additional funding may become available during the initiative.

Fellows are encouraged to implement their Breakthrough Initiative within the environment where their work is focused.

The Breakthrough Initiative culminates in a gathering in Washington, DC, where fellows will present their work to their peers, mentors, and conservation stakeholders.