The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) offers a two-year EDGE Fellowship program for international candidates. EDGE is an abbreviation for Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species. The EDGE of Existence program intends to secure the future of EDGE species through two-year Fellowships to future conservation leaders—fellows participating in this program dedicated to conserving poorly-known EDGE species.

About the Zoological Society of London

Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is a global conservation, scientific, and educational charity working to achieve and promote the conservation of animals and their habitats.

Founded in 1826, ZSL rapidly became the world’s leading Learned Society in zoology, counting Charles Darwin amongst its early Fellows. Through ground-breaking science, ZSL strives to protect species worldwide through active conservation projects in more than 50 countries and two Zoos in the UK.

Essential Details of the EDGE Fellowship

Application Deadline: 16 July 2023 (23:59 BST)

Shortlist Announcement: October 2023

Location: UK

Duration of the Internship: 2 Years

Funding Organization: Zoological Society of London

Gender: Male/Female

Eligible Countries: All

Benefits of the EDGE Fellowship

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) will offer the following components:

• A £10,000 fund to undertake a 2-year project on a top-priority EDGE species.
• Four-week Conservation Tools training course at the start of the program to train the fellows with techniques to plan and implement their project.
• Ongoing technical support via web-based tutorials, seminars, online modules, and field visits throughout the Fellowship.
• One-to-one scientific advisor support based at ZSL or a partner institution.
• Two-week Conservation Impact training course in London preparing fellows for their future.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for UNICEF Internship Program:

• Applicants should focus on an EDGE species included in the 2023 curated list.
• Fellows should be early-career conservationists with less than ten years of paid experience.
• Should be resident of the country in which the proposed focal species occurs.
• Candidates must be able to communicate in English. Non-native English speakers must provide English tests such as an IELTS score of 7.0, TOEFL score of 600, TOEFL iBT 100, Cambridge Certificate grade C, or equivalent.
• Alternatively, applicants may ask two referees to comment on their English ability.
• Applicants should pass all interviews in English.
• EDGE Fellowships are two-year projects and are non-transferable.
• An in-country supervisor, such as a university project supervisor, senior colleague, or associate, should provide support over the two years.
• Applicants must be computer literate and have basic knowledge of Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Applicants who are applying for a project that involves diving must:

1. Be “fit to dive” and able to pass a PADI diving medical.
2. Hold a PADI Advanced open water SCUBA Diving certification or equivalent.
3. Have at least 30 logged dives.

The Projects requirements:

Proposed projects should meet the following criteria:

• The proposed project must focus on a fish, shark, mammal, amphibian, gymnosperm, reptile, bird, or ray EDGE species found on the 2023 curated EDGE list.
• Priority goes to EDGE species where limited research occurs that currently receive little or no conservation attention.
• Projects should be suitable into the below categories:

1. Applied research and conservation planning.
2. implementation of recommended conservation actions.
3. Fellows should be toward ecological and social components.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee will evaluate the applicants based on the following criteria:

• Applicant’s contribution to the vision of the EDGE of Existence program.
• Propose relevant conservation actions and appropriate research.
• Maximize stakeholder participation.
• Have solid in-country support.
• Documentation guarantees the proposed project’s contribution toward a more favorable conservation status for the species.
• Demonstrate feasibility and value for money.
• Highlight the individual’s leadership quality and dedication to conserving the species.

Required Documents

Applicants should provide the following documents to have a complete application package for the EDGE Fellowship:

• Application Form (completed and signed copy)
• Project site map
• Copy of CV not more than two A4 sides
• One recent photograph
• Cop of risk assessment (using the ZSL template)
• English competency if applicants’ first language is not English.
• Proof of Scuba diving skills

How to Apply for EDGE Fellowship?

To apply for the EDGE Fellowship, applicants should submit their documents via email with the subject line “EDGE Fellowship application_your name” to the following submission email:

Submission Email: fellows@edgeofexistence.org

Notes:

• In addition to the required documents, applicants must arrange for two referees’ support letters. The submission email for the letters of support should be the same as for the application submission.
• Applicants should discuss their projects with the EDGE team before applying.

Please visit the EDGE official website for more details about EDGE Fellowship or read the FAQs.

Other Available Opportunities:

East-West Center RICE Fellowships 2023 in the United States

Young Professional Fellowship Program by the Mentor Amiable Professional Society (MAPS), Nepal

TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship Program in Karachi, Pakistan