Apply to the Satellites for Biodiversity Award Round 4 and gain access to VHR satellite data, GeoAI tools, funding and expert support. Learn eligibility, benefits, deadlines and how to submit your application.

Satellites for Biodiversity Award Round 4: Full Guide to Apply

The Satellites for Biodiversity Award Round 4 has officially opened, offering conservationists worldwide the opportunity to access cutting-edge geospatial tools, including very high-resolution satellite imagery, GeoAI technologies and expert technical support. The award, run by the Connected Conservation Foundation (CCF) together with the Airbus Foundation, aims to strengthen global biodiversity protection through advanced remote sensing and artificial intelligence.

This initiative supports conservation projects in mapping ecosystems, tracking species threats, analysing habitat loss and guiding data-driven environmental strategies. Learn more about CCF’s conservation work on the official website:
https://connectedconservation.foundation/

What the Satellites for Biodiversity Award Round 4 Offers

Winners selected for the Satellites for Biodiversity Award Round 4 will receive a comprehensive package designed to scale their conservation impact:

• Access to Pléiades and Pléiades Neo satellite imagery, including AI-enhanced HD15 data

• USD 6,000 in funding to support project implementation

• ArcGIS Pro software provided by ESRI for advanced geospatial analysis

• Technical mentorship and project guidance from CCF and Airbus geospatial experts

• Publication of project results in the Ecosystem Insight Hub

• Increased global visibility across conservation, research and policy networks

More details on the award partnership are available here:
https://connectedconservation.foundation/satellites-for-biodiversity-award

Why the Satellites for Biodiversity Award Round 4 Matters

The award responds to the urgent need for accurate, high-resolution environmental data. Early mapping algorithms using low-resolution imagery often produced misleading results, limiting conservation effectiveness. Advances in GeoAI, AI Foundation Models, cloud computing and training strategies now make it possible to analyse ecosystems with higher precision and reliability.

The Satellites for Biodiversity Award Round 4 empowers conservation organisations and local communities by pairing their field knowledge with the scientific accuracy of state-of-the-art satellite technologies. This combination enables more effective species protection, ecosystem monitoring and climate-resilient planning.

Eligible Project Focus Areas

Applications to the Satellites for Biodiversity Award Round 4 must fall within one of the following categories and ideally involve local community participation:

State of Species

Projects assessing species abundance, distribution, habitat changes and extinction risks, including IUCN Red List parameters.

Invasive Species

Initiatives addressing the detection, spread and management of invasive plant or animal species.

Ecosystem Management

Monitoring efforts supporting conservation operations, early-warning systems and management planning.

Ecosystem Connectivity

Projects analysing habitat fragmentation, structural connectivity and ecological linkages across landscapes.

Ecosystem Conversion and Restoration

Projects under Ecosystem Conversion and Restoration focus on understanding how natural landscapes are transformed into managed systems or urbanised areas, and how these changes affect biodiversity, ecosystem health and long-term resilience. This category also includes initiatives that use high-resolution satellite imagery and GeoAI tools to monitor restoration progress, evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies, and identify priority zones for ecological recovery. These insights support more informed conservation planning and policy-making, especially in rapidly changing environments.

Examples of previously supported projects can be viewed here:
https://connectedconservation.foundation/programs/satellites-for-biodiversity-award/winners

Who Can Apply?

The award is open globally to:

• Conservation organisations

• Researchers and field scientists

• NGOs and civil society groups

• GeoAI practitioners

• Multidisciplinary environmental teams

• Local community-driven conservation initiatives

Projects must be located in biodiversity-sensitive regions and demonstrate how satellite data will be used to generate measurable conservation outcomes.

Key Dates for Satellites for Biodiversity Award Round 4

• Applications open: 29 September 2025

• Applications close: 19 December 2025 at 23:59

• Winners announced: March 2026

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the official application form and review the grant requirements:

Apply here: https://connectedconservation.foundation/satellites-for-biodiversity-award/apply

For questions or clarifications, email:
info@connectedconservation.foundation

Final Note

For more international career opportunities, visit Opportunities For Youth.