Who Should Apply?
The course is ideal for those who are early in their conservation finance journey and are actively seeking to attract or deploy funding for a specific conservation project. We will assume some familiarity with land and resource conservation practices, but the Boot Camp will offer a primer in basic principles of both conservation and finance to ensure attendees have shared vocabulary. Content is tailored to conservation project staff who don’t have existing expertise in conservation finance but may also be appropriate for those who understand one funding or financing tool well and are seeking to learn about new tools or strategies. We strongly encourage applications from practitioners who are seeking feedback and advice on conservation finance projects they are currently working on.
Most of our past attendees come from public and non-profit conservation organizations, but we welcome practitioners from the philanthropic sector, too. Please note that the Boot Camp is geared towards project staff, rather than development staff. We do not generally accept current students, given the applied nature of the course.
What Content Will the Boot Camp Cover?
A sample Boot Camp agenda is available here. The Boot Camp covers the basics of raising, managing and deploying capital for conservation, using a mix of traditional sources like government and philanthropic grants, as well as innovative methods that utilize private capital. You will learn about a range of financial tools like loans, cash flows for project revenues, ecosystem service markets, and Pay for Success models, and how these might apply to the conservation and restoration projects your organization is undertaking or might undertake. For your reference, prior boot camp agendas are available on the right side of this page on our website.
When are applications due, and when will I hear back?
We will have two application rounds for the 2026 Boot Camp. Early decision applications are due by December 15, 2025 for a decision in late January. Regular round applications are due by January 21, 2026 and we will communicate decisions in late February. We may re-open applications in the case that we have remaining seats in the course.
How do I access and submit the application?
The link to access the application is above. If you need a downloadable copy of the 2026 Boot Camp application, click here. Please note that we do not accept applications submitted via email, they must be submitted through our online application form.
How are decisions made?
Applicants are selected based on a combination of factors including the applicability of course content to their work, a demonstrated intent to apply what they learn, and cohort balance and composition. The Boot Camp is geared towards those new to conservation finance and those seeking a general introduction. We encourage seasoned conservation practitioners to contact us about the other ways the Conservation Finance Network might be of assistance.
Is there a waitlist?
Yes, we typically have a waitlist. When decisions are made, we will give select applicants the option to be added to the waitlist.
What are the costs of attending?
Tuition is $2,950 plus a small processing fee, which includes all local transportation and meals. Attendees are responsible for covering costs associated with lodging in New Haven and transportation to/from the course.
Are scholarships available?
Tuition scholarships may be made available for applicants whose organizations demonstrate financial need. However, scholarship funds are very limited and will be tailored to attendees working for small organizations. There will be a question in the application where you can detail your need for a scholarship.
Is the course open to applicants outside the United States?
The course content is geared towards practitioners based in the United States. We draw primarily upon domestic case studies and examples and most examples will be based on the U.S. legal code and public funding programs. Although some topics may be analogous to international projects, we cannot guarantee the tools and strategies covered in the course will be directly applicable to your work. We encourage practitioners outside the US to investigate training opportunities with our global counterparts, such as the Conservation Finance Alliance and the International Land Conservation Network.
Who do I contact if I have further questions?
If you have further questions, please contact Katie Michels, CFN's Director of Partnerships, at kmichels@conservation-finance.org.
