Deadline: 15 March 2024
Are you interested in bird research and evidence-based conservation of birds in India? If you are excited about studying natural history, ecology, or behaviour of India’s birds to generate key evidence for conservation action, then apply for the Field Research for Bird Conservation Grants.
Despite the wide interest in birds and birdwatching in India, several of the bird species are in need of research attention and lacking basic information. The State of India’s Birds 2023 report has highlighted the importance of further research on birds across the country to understand their conservation requirements. For example, they know that the veterinary drug diclofenac had a significant role in vulture declines and a complete ban was necessary for vultures to survive. However, Indian Courser is declining rapidly even within grasslands but they do not know why. Reasons for the decline of many species are still poorly known, and therefore what interventions are needed to halt those declines are unclear.
This field research is directed towards supporting work on species identified as high conservation priority or having insufficient data by the State of India’s Birds 2023 report.
They especially encourage proposals on the following species:
- Andaman Teal
- Pale-capped Pigeon
- Indian Courser
- White-naped Tit
- Black-breasted Parrotbill
- Grey-crowned Prinia
- Jerdon’s Babbler
- Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush
- Bank Myna
- Stoliczka’s Bushchat
While these are the priority species for this year’s grant, they welcome proposals based on other species that broadly meet the criteria of being of high conservation priority and /or with insufficient data.
The list they propose covers species from different regions and habitats from across the country that will benefit from focused research efforts. More research on their habitat requirements, diet, breeding biology as well as aspects like its sensitivity to disturbances are particularly encouraged.
Funding Information
- Grant Amount: 1-3 Lakhs (including honorarium to field researchers, travel and other expenses).
- Duration of project: 1-2 years
Who can apply?
- This call is specifically targeted at amateur ornithologists – birdwatchers who have a passion towards ornithology. Applications from backgrounds other than life sciences or ecology would be given priority. This is a competitive grant and each year, only two of the top research proposals will be awarded.
For more information, visit Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi).
