Grassroots Conservation Workers Across India to Benefit From New Fellowship Initiative by RNP and Dasra
Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, in partnership with Dasra, has officially opened applications for the Samvardhan Biodiversity & Conservation Fellowship 2026, a major initiative aimed at empowering India’s next generation of conservation leaders. The 12-month fellowship program has been designed to support early-career conservation researchers and practitioners working in public-interest environmental and biodiversity sectors across the country.
The initiative focuses particularly on individuals from grassroots communities, underrepresented geographies and non-elite institutions who often face barriers in accessing funding, mentorship and professional networks despite their important contributions to conservation work.
The Samvardhan Fellowship seeks to strengthen India’s biodiversity and conservation ecosystem by offering financial assistance, mentorship and collaborative learning opportunities to young practitioners under the age of 35. Selected fellows will receive a seed grant of Rs.3 lakh to support practice-led or exploratory conservation work, along with year-long mentorship from experienced conservation experts and access to a diverse community of environmental leaders and changemakers.
Fellows will also participate in peer-learning sessions, workshops, cohort activities and skill-building programs designed to encourage collaboration, innovation and long-term leadership development in the conservation sector.
Speaking about the initiative, Rohini Nilekani said that many important conservation efforts in India happen quietly and often lack visibility and institutional support, especially for young practitioners working closely with local communities and ecosystems.
She emphasised that the fellowship aims to provide trust, freedom, mentorship and a strong support system for emerging conservationists to grow and create meaningful environmental impact. Neera Nundy highlighted that the future of conservation in India depends on empowering young leaders capable of addressing complex environmental challenges through collaborative and inclusive approaches.
The fellowship comes at a time when India is witnessing increasing conversations around biodiversity protection, climate resilience and sustainable development. Through initiatives like Samvardhan, organisations are attempting to build a stronger pipeline of environmental leadership by investing not only in conservation projects but also in the people driving change at the grassroots level.
Applications for the fellowship are now open through the official platform at Samvardhan Fellowship Portal.
