The Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation Grant Program

The intention of The Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation (TDARFAC) is to bridge the gap between academic breakthroughs in conservation science and applied conservation efforts on the ground by generating actionable conservation interventions.

The Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation (TDARFAC) provides grants to support conservation research and community-based conservation, which aligns with their mission statement and three objectives.

Mission

• Their mission is to solve critical conservation problems by cultivating new approaches with innovative techniques and applications through the support of community-led initiatives.

Objectives

• Building Capacity
  • Use their collective vision as a consortium of international scientists and external specialists to facilitate field-based research and community-led conservation projects in primate habitat countries.
• Amplifying Voices
  • Foster opportunities for university students and early-career scientists in low- and middle-income countries through project development, funding, mentorship, and support.
• Partnering with Local Communities
  • Generate community-based conservation projects developed by individuals and non-governmental organizations.

Funding Categories

• Applied Conservation Grants
  • Short-term or Pilot Projects (6 months or shorter)
    • Minimum: $1,000
    • Maximum: $5,000
  • Long-term Projects (Longer than 6 months)
    • Minimum: $5,000
    • Maximum: $20,000
  • Grant proposals are solicited for exceptional conservation research and/or community conservation projects. Successful proposals must clearly demonstrate how projects will directly lead to non-human primate species conservation and/or habitat preservation and/or habitat restoration.
  • Students, professionals, collaborations/partnerships, and non-governmental organizations are encouraged to apply.
• Devoted to Discovery: Women Scientist Conservation Award
  • $2,500
  • This award recognizes the extraordinary and cutting-edge scientific work of women in conservation science. Women in science are encouraged to seek nominations.
  • The award focuses on women from marginalized communities that are traditionally underserved in higher education and seeks to highlight their scientific contributions. Inclusive, but not limited to: women of color, indigenous women, women representing the LGBTQIA+ community, women with disabilities, and first generation women scholars.
• Advocates for Change: Future Conservationist & Activist Award
  • $2,500
  • This award honours the remarkable achievements of early-career conversationists and activists in applied conservation. Students, educators, experts, and community activists are encouraged to seek nominations.
  • Eligibility is based on nominees having either less than 5 years of professional conservation experience, or where a maximum of 5 years have lapsed since earning their most recent degree. No age restrictions or academic degree are required to be nominated for this award.

What do they look for in a proposal? 

• Follows submission guidelines and adheres to the basic requirements.
• Meets TDARFAC’s mission and meets a minimum of one of its three objectives.
• Pertains to any non-human primates, their habitats, and the conservation thereof; including any associated animal or plant species, which share and influence the same landscape(s).
• Presents specific, expected outcomes in a scientifically measurable and meaningful way within the context of TDARFAC’s objectives.

Eligibility Criteria

• TDARFAC supports individuals, collaborations or partnerships, and non-governmental organizations working in non-human primate habitat countries. The foundation’s primary focus is assisting conservationists from low- and middle-income countries as defined by the World Bank and/or people and/or organizations working therein. However, projects based on any non-human primates, their habitats, or any animal or plant species, which share and influence the same landscapes as non-human primates and directly relate to their conservation, are eligible for funding.
• TDARFAC awards program honors scientists and activists for exceptional contributions to the field of conservation and preservation of biodiversity.  Individuals may be nominated for awards by peers, mentors, and/or colleagues. Nominations should indicate if the “Devoted to Discovery” or “Advocates for Change” award is being sought. If the same nomination is made to both award opportunities, the most appropriate single award will be considered for disbursement by the review committee.  There is no limit on the number of nominations a nominator can submit, but a separate statement of support and application are required for each nominee.

For more information, visit TDARFAC.