Applications open for PTES Conservation Insight Grants

The Conservation Insight Grants are for projects focusing on endangered species for up to two years. They award funds between £3,000 and £10,000 per annum up to a maximum total of £20,000.

Funds will be awarded for work that seeks to either:

• Find the critical scientific evidence that will facilitate the conservation of a species
• Provide the answer to a key conservation question, which will enable conservationists to undertake critical conservation action
• Undertake the implementation of a key local action which will result in a significantly, positive impact for an endangered species

High priority projects include:

• Gathering evidence needed to undertake necessary mitigation work
• Using scientific evidence to get changes made to local, national or international policy
• Devising and testing a new methodology for monitoring a species or group of species
• Priority is also given to applications for conservation and research work on species classified as endangered, critically endangered and extinct in the wild by the IUCN.
• Priority will be given to those projects that focus on sound research or conservation work that is likely to lead directly to practical conservation outcomes with a lasting benefit to the species and habitat concerned.
• Projects that require funds to promote, within local communities and or policy makers, the dissemination/public awareness of conservation strategies based on sound research will also be considered.
• Preference is given to projects with outcomes that are clear and sustainable

Low priority projects would include: 

• General survey work to determine population status of a species in an area
• Local reintroductions

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants are welcomed from scientific researchers and those working in the field of practical conservation. The project leader should be based either within an NGO or a university research department.
• These grants are suitable for research or conservation projects that focus on one or more endangered species, or their habitat.
• Priority will be given to projects working on those species classified by the IUCN redlist as endangered, critically endangered and extinct in the wild. However applications for work on species listed as vulnerable and near-threatened will also be considered.
• Applications will only be considered from those working in countries classified by the World Bank as low and middle-income. Please go to the World Bank web page to check if your country applies.
• Preference is given to applicants working in their own country rather than UK or other western nationals working abroad.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have a proven, successful history working on the species and/or in that region.
• The project should be up to two years in duration.
• Applicants may apply for grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 per annum, up to a maximum total of £20,000
• The project should have a clear end point. If aspects of a project are likely to continue over the long-term, the applicant should make clear how they will be funded.
• The Trust will consider funding a project in its entirety or jointly with other bodies or organisations. They are prepared to award funding subject to other funding bids being successful.

Ineligible 

• Applications from local or national governments will not be accepted
• Applications for work on bird species
• Student fees or living costs for any level of course
• Projects that are part of an undergraduate or Masters course
• Core salary or administrative costs of an organisation unrelated to the project
• Work on an alien species to a country unless it is likely to result in benefit to a native species
• Applications for projects run by western-based NGOs who send successive volunteers groups out to developing countries such as Raleigh International, Frontier, EarthWatch.

For more information, visit PTES.