Organizer Information
Creature Conserve, Inc. is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between the arts, humanities, and wildlife conservation science. The organization was established to address the global decline in wildlife populations by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between artists, writers, scientists, and other creative practitioners. Its core mission is to expand participation in conservation efforts by making them more inclusive, emotionally resonant, and accessible to diverse communities worldwide.
Creature Conserve operates through a range of programs including mentorships, workshops, curatorial initiatives, media outreach, and scholarship opportunities. The organization emphasizes accessibility, offering asynchronous online learning formats, global participation pathways, and inclusive language practices. Its leadership team includes professionals from media production, conservation science, curatorial practice, and creative consultancy, reinforcing its interdisciplinary approach. The organization’s structure is designed to encourage collaboration across disciplines and geographies, with a strong focus on applied, practice-based learning at the intersection of art and science.
Title & Description
2026 Creature Conserve Scholarship Program – Art-Science Collaboration for Wildlife Conservation
The 2026 Creature Conserve Scholarship Program supports artists, writers, scientists, and other creative practitioners who are developing projects that connect artistic practice with wildlife conservation efforts. The program is designed to encourage experimental, interdisciplinary work that explores how creative expression can support scientific understanding, conservation communication, and public engagement with biodiversity issues.
Selected participants will receive financial stipends to develop a defined project that integrates art and science in service of wildlife conservation. Projects may be new or existing and must involve a clear focus on a species, ecosystem, or conservation challenge. The program encourages applicants to collaborate with scientists, conservation organizations, museums, or research institutions in order to develop meaningful, practice-based outcomes.
The initiative supports the idea that creative work can make scientific knowledge more accessible and emotionally engaging, thereby strengthening public awareness and action toward environmental protection. Projects are expected to include documentation, process sharing, and final deliverables that reflect both artistic and scientific engagement.
Categories
Applicants may apply under one of the following scholarship categories:
- Artist Partnerships
- Conference & Workshop Fees
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives
- Art + Science Field Studies
- Visiting Creative Residencies
Disciplines include but are not limited to:
- Visual Arts
- Writing and Literature
- Film and Media Arts
- Photography
- Design and Architecture
- Performance Arts
- Scientific Research (applied or field-based)
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge-based practices
Eligibility
- Open to applicants worldwide (international program)
- Artists, writers, scientists, researchers, designers, and other creative practitioners
- Applicants at all career stages (emerging, mid-career, or established)
- Individuals or collaborative teams
- No geographic restrictions
- Projects must involve an art–science approach to wildlife conservation
The program explicitly encourages participation from underrepresented and underserved communities and prioritizes inclusivity across disciplines, backgrounds, and cultural perspectives.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Scholarship stipend between $500–$1,500 USD per project
- Funding may be used for:
- Creative production time
- Art materials and supplies
- Travel related to fieldwork or collaboration
- Conference or workshop fees
- Logistical and research support
- Free access to Creature Conserve’s paid online “Fundamentals” workshops for one year
- Mentorship and curatorial feedback from the organization’s leadership team
- Global visibility through Creature Conserve media platforms
- Opportunity to build long-term interdisciplinary collaborations
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Contact information (including social media, portfolio, or website if available)
- Scholarship category selection
- Project title
- Project focus (species or ecosystem)
- Project description (approx. 1500 words)
- Project goal statement (approx. 500 words)
- Collaborators or host institutions (if applicable)
- Relevant experience (approx. 500 words)
- Budget outline (requested funding $500–$1500 with expense breakdown)
- Project timeline with milestones
- Additional funding or institutional support (if any)
Additional expectations for selected applicants include participation in onboarding meetings, ongoing project documentation, and submission of final reports and impact statements.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
- Notification of Results: 31 May 2026
- Project Duration: Up to 6 months after selection
- Final Documentation & Reporting Deadline: December 15, 2026 (or within 2 months of completion, whichever comes first)
Location
Barrington, Rhode Island, United States
Additional Details
Selected participants are required to engage in structured communication and reporting, including:
- Initial onboarding and project planning meetings
- Budget and timeline finalization after selection
- Participation in virtual cohort meetings (welcome and final sessions)
- Ongoing documentation of process and outcomes shared with Creature Conserve media team
- Final submission of project documentation, expense report, and impact statement
Projects are expected to be collaborative in nature where possible, and applicants are encouraged to engage early with potential partners or institutions to strengthen their proposals. Funding may be disbursed in stages depending on project structure and reporting compliance.