Mohammad Anisuzzaman Khan, popularly known as Anisuzzaman Khan was one of the pioneers in Bangladesh in wildlife and ecology sector. He is the first in Bangladesh who started to survey on coastal birds and discovered the rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper in the early 90’s. Anisuzzaman Khan dedicated more than 30 years of his life in the fields for the conservation of nature and contributed his academic research towards framing the management of forest, wetlands, river and marine natural resources of Bangladesh. He played vital roles in policy making of wetlands, water and biodiversity (Agenda-21, NCS, NBSAP, BCCAP, MDG, SDG, Aichi and Delta Plan). Because of his innovation skill he was nominated as the Life member of Ashoka: Innovators of the Public, USA. He was also a member of IUCN and life member of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), India and Wildlife Society of Bangladesh. 

Besides serving IUCN Bangladesh and the Government of Dubai, he guided the program of Ramsar, CBD, UNFCC and CBD at national level. Moreover, he was an advisor of Karnaphuli, Halda, Sangu, Ichamati and Dhaleshwari rivers ecological study of BIWTA, BUET, and IWM. He served Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) as protected area planner of Padma Multi-Purpose Bridge Project and did the baseline biodiversity survey, identified the location of PA, prepared the establishment and management plan of PA on behalf of SODEV and Agri-consulting. 

Lastly, He worked as the Biodiversity Conservation Officer of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project and Wildlife Specialist of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park. Along with this, He was appointed as the Chief Scientist of Isabela Foundation since 2017 and led many projects of this organization targeted towards biodiversity conservation and restoration. He was actively involved with this foundation until he died on 7th June of 2021 due to a sudden cardiac arrest. The untimely demise of this restless genius created an irreplaceable vacuum in the wildlife and ecology sector of Bangladesh. 

On the memory of Mohammad Anisuzzaman Khan, a small grant program the Anisuzzaman Khan Wildlife Fellowship Award (AKWFA) is created by Isabela Foundation with a view to providing support to the students or early career professionals who are passionate and want to work dedicatedly in the field of wildlife research and conservation. To identify compatible scientists in Bangladesh at the very early stages of their careers, we would like to provide support to enable them to achieve their goal of making a difference in terms of conservation.

The award money ranges from BDT 50,000 (Fifty thousand) to BDT 100,000 (One lac) given in single or multiple installments depending on the structure and impact of the project. In some cases, if the project progresses well, individuals may apply for one of the further grants from the Foundation.

The AKWFA program renders funding to individuals working in wildlife research and conservation in the early stage or/and establishing pilot programs. Thus, undergraduate or graduate students, or an early career scientist conducting fieldwork are recommended to apply for the award.