Small Cat Action Fund Grant

The Small Cat Action Fund, managed by Panthera, aims to support in situ conservation and research for various small cat species. It provides crucial funding for projects focusing on the ecological needs of these felids, excluding the larger cat genera. Eligible species include the Caracal, Ocelot, and Lynx, among others. The fund particularly emphasizes field conservation efforts and local personnel support, fostering biodiversity and sustainable habitats for these important species.

The Small Cat Action Fund (SCAF) is a grants program established by Panthera with the oversight of the
IUCN Cat Specialist Group. The fund is intended to support in situ conservation and research activities on
the many small cat species.
The SCAF supports work on the “small cats,” namely all species of the family Felidae excluding the genera Panthera, Acinonyx and the puma (Puma concolor). However, for 2026, species classified as Threatened (including Critically Endangered, Endangered) and Near Threatened by the IUCN will be prioritized. Priority species include:

• The following species are eligible for SCAF:
• Asia
• Bay cat - Catopuma badia
• Asian golden cat - Catopuma temminckii
• Sunda clouded leopard - Neofelis diardi
• Mainland clouded leopard - Neofelis nebulosa
• Marbled cat - Pardofelis marmorata
• Flat-headed cat - Prionailurus planiceps
• Rusty-spotted cat - Prionailurus rubiginosus
• Fishing cat - Prionailurus viverrinus
• Chinese Mountain Cat – Felis bieti
• Europe
• Iberian lynx - Lynx pardinus
• Africa
• African golden cat - Caracal aurata
• Black-footed cat - Felis nigripes
• Central and South America
• Oncilla - Leopardus tigrinus
• Southern tigrina - Leopardus guttulus
• Margay - Leopardus wiedii
• Pampas cat - Leopardus colocola
• Guiña - Leopardus guigna
• Andean mountain cat - Leopardus jacobita

Applicants whose proposed work includes any of the seven largest cat species along with one or more of the small cats should apply to the Kaplan Graduate Awards if they are eligible graduate students. If the project does not explicitly include those seven species (even if they occur in the area), the application should be made to the Small Cat Action Fund. There are no restrictions on location other than the presence of the target species in the wild.
Genetic Analysis
In partnership with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), Panthera has developed the Global Felid Conservation Genetics Program. The program focuses on the molecular ecology of endangered felid populations and promotes, when preferable, the use of noninvasive sampling to understand genetic issues relevant to felid conservation. Applicants may apply to Panthera for genetic analysis funding, but the applicant must agree to process all genetic analysis through the AMNH.

Eligibility

There are no restrictions on location other than
the presence of the target species in the wild.Panthera will consider salaries, per diems, and stipends for local field personnel only.Applicants are only permitted to apply to one Panthera grant program per intake round.

Ineligibility

Excluded for support are the genera
not fund salaries for core administrative and management personnel.Panthera will not consider large requests for expensive first world university tuition, except in exceptional
cases where the applicants are nationals from developing countries and provide convincing rationales that
the institutions will provide critical graduate training that is not available in their home country.Panthera does not support conferences, travel to scientific meetings, legal actions, overhead costs, academic
exchanges, or captive breeding.