CHIEF S.L. EDU PH. D RESEARCH GRANT CALL 2026
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) invites applications from qualified Nigerians for the 2026 Edition of the Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Ph.D. Research Grant, sponsored by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), the grant supports research in natural sciences, social sciences, environmental law, and related fields to promote sustainable natural resource management in Nigeria.
The award aims to recognize and reward scholarly contributions that enhance habitat restoration, resource management, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation for the benefit of nature and humanity.
This year’s theme is: “Restoring Ecosystems and Strengthening Climate Resilience for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”
NCF is a foremost, membership based environmental Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to the promotion of nature conservation, natural and environmental resource management and sustainable development issues in Nigeria. NCF was established by late Chief S.L Edu in 1980 and became a registered charitable trust in 1982 under the Land (Perpetual Succession) Act of 1961 which was later by the Company and Allied Matters Act of 1990. NCF is the Bird Life Partner in Nigeria, an Associate of WorldWide Fund for Nature (WWF) and a Member of the World Conservation Union – the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Also, NCF is a Partner to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Wetlands International, and the Fauna & Flora International (FFI).
NCF has a vision of being “A leader in creating sustainable societies where people and nature thrive” while through its mission, it protects and restores natural resources, tackle emerging environmental threats in partnership with communities and other stakeholders, for the benefit of present and future generations by:
- Conserving the full range of Nigeria’s biodiversity which include species, ecosystems and genetic biodiversity;
- Promoting the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of the present and future generations; and
- Undertaking field interventions and advocacy programmes to promote best practices in Climate Change adaptation and mitigation; minimize pollution as well as reduce wasteful utilization of renewable resources.
Please Note:
- Candidates will be selected based on (among others) the quality of their research proposals and the following requirements:
- Candidates must be Nigerian citizens.
- Candidates must have M.Sc Degree or its equivalent in Natural Sciences, Social Sciences or Law (Environmental Law/Protection) but related to natural and environmental resource management
- Candidates must have secured admission into a Nigerian University towards a Ph.D degree in any of the fields stated in No.2 above
- Candidates’ research proposals must be in line with the theme and must be tailored to the achievement of NCF’s vision and mission statements.
- A progress report (on letterheads) from the applicant’s Project Supervisor(s) stating how far he/she has gone in his/her research work and his/her role in the initial review, as well as the relevance to the objectives of the grant, is a very essential condition for considering any application. Please note that a reference letter is not equivalent of a Progress report from the Project Supervisor(s). Progress report can only be written by the supervisor but anybody can write the reference letter.
- 200-word justification in line with the theme and with relevance to biodiversity conservation, natural and environmental resource management issues
- A 3,000-word project proposal to be submitted should contain the Title, Introduction/Statement of Problem, Objectives, Methodology and Expected Outputs etc.
- Curriculum vitae (not more than 2 pages detailing research and work experience),
- Scanned copy of admission letter.
Method of Application:
Applicants should complete the grant application form online here:
http://ncfnigeria.org/2026-chief-edu-grant/
Deadline for Application:
December 9, 2025.
No paper application(s) will be considered. Applicants should not submit more than one proposal for consideration.
Please note that all applications received will be acknowledged, while only the successful candidates/applicants will be contacted by the Foundation.
