WILD KINGDOM COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY GRANT PROGRAM

Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and The National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) EcoLeaders renewed their collaboration to fund innovative, solutions-based programs that protect threatened, vulnerable and endangered wildlife and habitats. The program will award winning colleges and universities up to $8,500 in grants.

“Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom is proud of the continued collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation on this important funding program that supports and empowers students to pursue careers in conservation,” said Jennifer Wulf, vice president, brand marketing for Mutual of Omaha. “This initiative acknowledges the impact these students have on wildlife in their local communities and continues our enduring mission to inspire the next generation of conservationists.”

“The National Wildlife Federation has a long history of supporting colleges and universities conducting leading conservation efforts for critical species and areas of habitat. Year after year, we’re impressed with the innovation and creativity of these schools,” said Kristy Jones, director of higher education programs for National Wildlife Federation. “None of this could be possible without our collaboration with Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and, together, we look forward to supporting and mentoring solutions that address the wildlife crisis.”

2026 Wild Kingdom grant program details

Grant recipients will be selected based on, but not limited to, the below focus areas with more information found here. The request for proposal can be found here. Applications are due March 13, 2026 by 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time.

Some areas of focus may include:

• Research on threatened or endangered species on campus or in the community.
• Surveys of species on campus, for the purpose of identifying any threatened or endangered species.
• Developing and implementing plans to protect and/or restore habitat for specific threatened or endangered species on campus or in the community.
• Implementing conservation strategies with the goal of ensuring a safe and healthy habitat for humans and endangered or threatened wildlife to coexist.
• Incorporating smart student-led growth strategies to a campus expansion project with specific wildlife in mind.
• Introducing environmental solutions to urban spaces with specific wildlife in mind.2023-2024 Wild Kingdom grant recipients

2025 Wild Kingdom grant recipients

• California State University, Bakersfield CA, San Joaquin kit fox
• Kentucky State University KY, red-headed woodpecker
• Allegheny College PA, eastern bluebirds, tree swallows, house wrens, northern long-eared bats and little brown bats
• Smith College MA, eastern rat snake
• University of South Florida FL, gopher tortoise
• University of Tennessee TN, freshwater mussels
• Georgia State University Perimeter College, GA, longleaf pine forests

2023-2024 Wild Kingdom grant recipients

Grants awarded in 2024 supported seven important college and university conservation projects. ranging from habitat restoration for native bats by students at Roanoke College, to student-led campus-wide enhancements and education focused on living in harmony with bears at the University of Montana in addition to projects at Bellevue College, Joliet Junior College, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of West Alabama and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Learn more about the 2024 grant recipient projects.