The Nigerian Conservation Foundation has announced that the 2026 Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Ph.D. Research Grant is now open for applications, offering support for advanced research that promotes sustainable natural resource management in Nigeria.
According to the Foundation, the grant is sponsored by Chevron Nigeria Limited and is designed to encourage studies in natural sciences, social sciences, environmental law, and related fields. The NCF explained that the award aims to recognize and reward scholarly contributions that improve habitat restoration, resource management, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. The theme for this year is described as Restoring Ecosystems and Strengthening Climate Resilience for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.
The NCF stated that eligibility for the grant is based on the quality of research proposals and specific requirements. It said applicants must be Nigerian citizens with an M.Sc degree or its equivalent in natural sciences, social sciences, or environmental law, with the field tied to natural and environmental resource management. The Foundation added that candidates must have secured admission into a Nigerian university for a Ph.D in any of the approved fields and must submit research proposals aligned with the theme and the NCF’s vision.
The Foundation emphasized that a progress report from the applicant’s project supervisor is mandatory, explaining that “a reference letter is not equivalent of a progress report from the Project Supervisor(s).” It added that the report must show how far the researcher has gone, the supervisor’s role in the initial review, and the relevance to the grant’s objectives. Applicants are also required to submit a 200-word justification connected to biodiversity conservation and environmental resource management, along with a 3,000-word proposal containing the title, statement of problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outputs. A curriculum vitae of not more than two pages and a scanned copy of the admission letter must be included.
The NCF stated that applications must be submitted online through the official Link and warned that no paper applications will be considered. It noted that only one proposal should be submitted and confirmed that all entries will be acknowledged, though only successful applicants will be contacted.
The Foundation is a membership-based environmental NGO established in 1980 by Chief S.L. Edu, dedicated to promoting conservation, environmental management, and sustainable development across Nigeria.
