NEF Research Grant Programme

NEF Research Grant Programme

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Nagao Natural Environment Foundation (NEF)
Last Updated: February 25, 2026

Summary

The NEF Research Grant Programme supports individual researchers in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region. It aims to enhance their research skills in nature conservation through financial assistance for scientific projects. Eligible applicants must be full-time researchers or doctoral students, able to communicate in English, and not currently funded by NEF. Projects should involve fieldwork and aim to submit results within one to two years. The programme encourages sustainable research practices while strengthening local capacities.

Overview

The Research Grant Programme financially supports academic and scientific research that will deepen knowledge of the nature conservation in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. With the aim of strengthening research capacity of young researchers in that region, grants are available only for individual researchers to enhance their skills, knowledge, and experience through their own research work.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. An applicant must:be a national of developing country in the Asia-Pacific region (please see target countries and regions listed above)be a researcher/scientist, who works full-time or is enrolled in a doctoral course, conducting research at a research institution or relevant organisation in one of the target countries have sufficient experience and skills in conducting and managing the proposed researchbe able to communicate in Englishnot have another application to the NEFnot have another on-going research or publication project funded by the NEF at the time of application submissionA proposed research project must:be scientific research contributing to the nature conservation of the country where the applicant currently works or studiesbe carried out in the country where the applicant currently works or studiesinvolve fieldwork for collecting databe applicant's own research work achieve its objective(s) and submit reports within one to two years as scheduledbe exclusively funded by the NEF Research Grant Programme, or co-funded with the applicant's institutionEligible expenses:expendables necessary for field survey and analysis (e.g., sampling gear, reagent, etc.)local travel expenses for fieldtrip (e.g., accommodation, food, transportation, etc.)reference materials (e.g., article, book, etc.)limited wages and labour costs necessary for proposed researchother expenses only when the NEF Secretariat approvedGrant recipients may submit a renewal application to continue the funded research project in subsequent year(s). Target countries and regions: The target countries in the Asia-Pacific region include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.

Ineligibility

Ineligible expenses:salaries and tuition paid to applicants, assistants, and other people to be involved in researchrenovation and installation of institution’s facilities (e.g., rearing, cultivation facilities)equipment available through applicant’s institution (e.g., personal computer, computer software/accessory, analytical equipment, microscope, projector, printer, GPS, digital camera, vehicle, motorbike) Exception might be made only when the NEF Secretariat approve the importance of purchase of brand new equipmenthonoraria, consultation fees, and travel expenses paid to advisors and expertsparticipation fees to attend national and international workshops, conferences, and trainingsinternational travel expensesexpenses necessary for disseminating research results/findingsmanuscript preparation and publicationexpenses for the past activities already donegeneral administrative expenses and overheads; etc.Group or team projects are ineligible.