Applications are accepted through May 27, 2026, for Cohort 1 of the Southeast Conservation Leadership Program (SECLP).
Please note: The entire application package must be submitted online all at once. Applicants cannot save their application and return later to complete and submit it. All progress will be lost if you close out of your browser before submitting your application. Please include your name in all files you upload so that they are easier to identify as part of your application package.
The required components of the application package consist of three sections:
- A nomination letter from your Director, CEO, or tribal chief
- Applicant resume and essay
- Two recommendation letters, including one from your immediate supervisor
Applicants will also need to provide contact information for themselves, their nominator, and recommenders in fillable forms. Applicants will also be required to indicate their agreement and understanding of the program requirements and considerations.
NOMINATIONS:
Nominations must come from the Director, CEO/organizational lead, or tribal chief. The nominator will write a letter, which shall be no more than two pages, explaining why the nominee should be chosen to participate in the SECLP. There does not need to be an adaptive challenge identified in the letter. The letter of nomination must include the nominator’s digital or handwritten signature. Each agency/organization/Tribe may nominate up to 3 nominees, but 1-2 nominees are recommended.
RESUME:
The applicant’s resume should be two pages or less and should only detail job experiences that highlight their leadership potential and experience.
ESSAY:
The applicant’s essay should be two pages or less and should include why you’re committed to natural resource conservation, the types of leadership roles you’ve held or aspire to, the kinds of adversity you’ve faced, and what you hope to contribute to the conservation community. Your essay should be written using your authentic voice rather than a technical style. Write the essay with sincerity and from your heart, highlighting your commitment and passion.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:
Applicants must solicit two people to write letters of recommendation. Each recommendation letter should be limited to no more than two pages. One recommendation letter must be from the applicant’s current supervisor. Each letter should name the nominee and include the recommender’s name. If an applicant’s nominator is also their current supervisor, the nominator/supervisor should indicate so in the nomination letter, and that letter should be uploaded into both applicable spots. Recommendation letters should illustrate the applicant’s ability in the following areas:
- Leadership courage/ taking risks
- Leading organizational change
- Delivering results
- Motivating people
- Building effective coalitions
Applicants are responsible for soliciting, gathering, and submitting all necessary application documents.
Submission of a completed application package indicates your intent to participate in all aspects of the SECLP program, and your agencies’ commitment to meet the financial obligations of your participation should you be accepted. Once the application packet has been received, a scoring committee will review and rate all applicants. The SECLP Board will take these scores and other factors into consideration to select 23 Fellows from the pool of applicants.
Applicants should be early to mid-level within the organization. They will be rated on the following criteria:
- For this initial year: Current/previous/planned work on WR/SFR-related activities*
- Level of commitment to natural resource conservation
- Personal and professional goals/accomplishments
- Capacity to lead organizational change
- Capacity to motivate people
- Capacity to build effective coalitions
- Capacity to deliver results
- Conservation work experience
- Communicates clearly
- Leadership courage/taking risks
- Level of desire to step into leadership
- Persistence in overcoming adversity
- Organizational support for leadership development
*Note that for the 2026 Application, fellows will need to work, have previously worked, or plan to work on Wildlife Restoration and/or Sport Fish Restoration (WR/SFR) related activities since this initial year will be funded by the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. See here for a full list of allowable activities for Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish projects.
All information submitted is held in confidence during the selection process. Applicants and individuals recommending candidates should be aware that some participants have found the training to be emotionally challenging. Please be aware that parts of this training may exacerbate stress and/or mental health issues that might make an applicant vulnerable emotionally.
QUESTIONS:
Any questions regarding the application process may be directed to Angela Larsen-Gray: alarsen-gray@ncasi.org
NOTE:
SECLP does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, color, national origin, religion, or political beliefs.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications are accepted through May 27, 2026, for Cohort 1 of the Southeast Conservation Leadership Program (SECLP).
- Click here to review the application requirements
- Click here to fill out the fellow application
- Click here to fill out the nomination form
- Click here to fill out the recommendation form #1 - Current Supervisor
- Click here to fill out the recommendation form #2 - additional recommendation
