Emerging Conservationist Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Applicants must have home base, school, and/or place of work based in the U.S. Projects can be domestic or international.

Focus Areas: Conservation activities, wildlife conservation research, and professional development opportunities.

Eligibility

• Emerging conservationists with less than five years professional conservation experience
• Home base, school, and/or place of work must be U.S.-based
• Projects can be domestic or international in scope

Funding Criteria

• Applicant must demonstrate funds will be used for or support conservation activities or research conducted for wildlife conservation
• Applicant must demonstrate funds will support professional development opportunities

What Grants Will Fund

• Both ongoing and new projects, including seed and proof of concept projects
• Travel for research or conservation efforts, including incidentals, meals, and expenses
• Funding to support in-country personnel at project sites (international and domestic)
• Intern stipends and wages (awarded on case-by-case basis)

What Grants Won't Fund

• Unsupported activities that are strictly personal interest or primarily support outside organizations
• Working or collaborative teams focused on topics not directly related to conservation
• Salaries, stipends, honoraria, or gifts for guest speakers or lecturers
• Cash donations to conservation organizations or third parties
• Lobbying activities or attempts to influence legislation

Grant Recipient Requirements

All recipients must agree to:

• Initial interview with Conservation Nation
• Provide field notes for guest blog on conservationnation.org or interim single-page report (mid-year)
• Complete end-of-year summary as impact statement or story (regardless of project completion status)
• Participate in education outreach program offered by Conservation Nation, as applicable
• Make brief presentation at year-end meeting
• Include recognition of Conservation Nation grant in related publications, announcements, or public talks
• Participate (in person or virtually) in minimum of three public/member education-based events or activities within one year of receiving grant
• Provide complete financial accounting of grant funds

Additional Notes

• Conservation Nation may contact recipients for additional information, interviews, or photographs for marketing/donor outreach
• Grantees work with program coordinators throughout year to ensure grant requirements are met
• Grants may cover projects spanning one to two years; education outreach requirements must be completed within the year
• Education staff available to help develop ideas in advance of education outreach commitments
• Proposed changes to fund allocation must be submitted and approved by Conservation Nation in advance
• Selection committee may contact applicants with follow-up questions
• Conservation Nation reserves right to decline funding grants in any given year

Application Process

Submission Method:

• Email completed application packet to: [email protected]

Timeline:

• Application deadline: August 15, 2021, 11:59 p.m. EST
• Grantee notification: September 8, 2021 by email
• Public announcement: September 30, 2021 on website and via press release
• Funds available: Week of October 4, 2021 by mail or ACH transfer

Required Materials:

Complete six-page grant proposal including:

Pages 1-3: Project Summary and Background (3 pages total)

• One paragraph project summary
• Project background
• Goals and objectives
• Evidence of community involvement
• Qualifications to undertake the proposed work
• Target outcomes

Page 4: Budget and Financial Narrative (1 page)

• Table or itemized list of expenses
• Description of each grant-related expense
• Justification for each item in context of project goals

Page 5: Implementation Timetable (1 page)

• Timetable for implementation within grant cycle

Page 6: Sources and Citations (1 page)

• Sources and citations

Additional Requirements:

• Proposals must not exceed six pages as specified
• Applications not following requirements and requested content will be automatically disqualified
• Download Emerging Conservationist Grant packet and application form for complete details

Questions: Contact [email protected]