Richard G. Ruggiero Memorial Scholarship
A program of the Richard G. Ruggiero Savanna and Forest Elephant (RGR SAFE) Fund
In partnership with the Center for Wildlife Studies, the Richard G. Ruggiero Savanna and Forest Elephant (RGR SAFE) Fund is pleased to support the next generation of conservation leaders through four scholarships for the Conservation Standards online course.
Established in memory of renowned elephant conservationist Dr. Richard G. Ruggiero (1953–2024), these scholarships honor Richard's lifelong commitment to advancing wildlife conservation by investing in people. Throughout his four-decade career, Richard served not only as a scientist and conservation strategist but also as a mentor to hundreds of conservation professionals working throughout Africa and around the world.
The Richard G. Ruggiero Memorial Scholarships continue that tradition by helping early- and mid-career conservation professionals strengthen the skills needed to lead effective conservation programs.
***Application Deadline July 26, 2026***
Scholarship Details
The Richard G. Ruggiero Memorial Scholarship provides full tuition for the online course:
Introduction to Conservation Standards: Adaptive Management for Conservation Projects
Scholarships are available to four participants to join the course starting in August.
Priority consideration will be given to applicants who:
Live and work in Africa and are engaged in elephant conservation activities
Work in wildlife conservation, natural resource management, or community conservation
Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to conservation practice
Would benefit from financial assistance to participate in this professional training
About the Course
The Introduction to Conservation Standards online course provides practical training in the internationally recognized Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation.
Participants learn to:
Design conservation projects using a structured planning framework
Develop conceptual models and theories of change
Establish measurable objectives and indicators
Monitor progress and adapt management over time
Strengthen collaboration among conservation partners
These tools are now used by conservation organizations around the world to improve the effectiveness and impact of conservation efforts. The course is a blend of online materials and live virtual instruction. Course access begins August 3, and the live sessions (4 hours per day) will be August 10-14. Full details about the course are available here.
Application Details
Applicants should submit a single PDF that includes:
A cover letter describing:
Current elephant conservation work
Career goals
Why they wish to take the Conservation Standards course
How the training will strengthen their conservation impact
Curriculum vitae or résumé
One letter of recommendation from a supervisor, mentor, or collaborator
Applications should be submitted to: info@centerforwildlifestudies.org
Application deadline: July 26, 2026
About the RGR SAFE Fund
The Richard G. Ruggiero Savanna and Forest Elephant (RGR SAFE) Fund was established to honor Richard's extraordinary legacy in wildlife conservation and is hosted by the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to conservation through education and habitat protection.
The Fund supports people and projects dedicated to conserving Africa's savanna and forest elephants while strengthening the capacity of the conservation professionals working to protect them and support the communities that live with elephants.
Recognizing that conservation succeeds through people, the Fund invests in professional development, leadership, and practical conservation action that creates lasting impact for wildlife and local communities.
For more information about the RGR SAFE Fund, visit https://www.rgrelephantfund.org/
Questions about the scholarship should be directed to info@centerforwildlifestudies.org