Aspire Grant Program

Aspire Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Conservation Action Research Network (CARN)
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: June 05, 2025

Summary

The Aspire Grant Program, initiated by CARN, offers up to $5,000 USD in research grants for African graduate students and early career professionals. Focused on biodiversity, conservation, and environmental sustainability in the Congo Basin, it aims to support innovative research addressing critical ecological challenges. By fostering local expertise, this initiative encourages young researchers to remain in their home countries and contribute to conservation efforts amidst growing environmental threats.

Overview

The Aspire Grant Program provides competitive research grants of up to $5,000 USD for African graduate students and early career professionals working in the areas of biodiversity, conservation and environmental sustainability in the Congo Basin region. Why the Congo Basin? The Congo Basin rainforests comprise one of the most important centers of biodiversity in the world and harbor an estimated 20% of all known species of plants and animals. While efforts are underway to implement conservation projects, habitat conversion, mineral extraction, forest degradation and deforestation continue at accelerating rates. Exacerbating these threats, the African continent, and the Congo Basin in particular, is predicted as one of the regions to be most severely affected by climate change. Recent projections suggest rainfall patterns will change dramatically and 50% of African mammals are at risk of extinction if the rise in mean global temperature exceeds 3°C, an increase predicted to occur by the end of the century (IPCC 2014). Furthermore, impacts from severe water and food scarcity, environmental deterioration, agricultural pests, emerging human diseases, and climate change impede the development of constructive and sustainable conservation solutions. Central Africa desperately needs a new generation of environmental and conservation experts to meet these challenges. Why the Aspire Grant Program? CARN established the Aspire Grant Program in 2014 to support and encourage young African scientists to conduct novel conservation research and management activities that address the critical challenges facing wildlife, biodiversity and ecosystem health in the Congo Basin. Critically, these small grants can build the foundation for young African researchers to become independent, providing “bridge funding” that allows them to compete in larger international arenas. Most importantly, small research grants will encourage and provide a means for young Africans to remain engaged in their research and stay in their native countries to practice their trades.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. EligibilityBe a resident of one of the following countries: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Rwanda Uganda and São Tomé and PríncipeBe a graduate student or early career professionalWork must be in the areas of biodiversity, conservation and environmental sustainability in the Congo Basin region.Important notes:Previous recipients of Aspire grants are eligible to apply again for a new grant on a different topic. However, priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received a grant.Each applicant can submit one application.

Ineligibility

Multiple submissions in one year will not be considered.If the budget requested is above $5,000, your application will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.We cannot cover tuition fees