Deadline: 03-Jun-2026
The CEPF Cerrado biodiversity conservation grants is a competitive funding call aimed at strengthening biodiversity conservation in Brazil’s Cerrado region. It is coordinated by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund in collaboration with the Instituto Internacional de Educação do Brasil as the Regional Implementation Team. The programme supports civil society organizations implementing conservation, governance, and sustainable development initiatives.
Purpose and Core Objectives
The programme aims to conserve biodiversity in one of the world’s most important ecosystems while strengthening civil society capacity. Its objectives include protecting globally threatened species, improving governance of priority conservation areas, promoting sustainable production systems, strengthening ecological corridors, and enhancing engagement in environmental public policy and strategic communication.
Geographic Focus
The programme is focused exclusively on the Cerrado Hotspot in Brazil. Activities must take place within designated priority areas, including Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), ecological corridors, and regions identified as critical for biodiversity conservation outcomes.
Key Strategic Directions
The call is structured around two main strategic directions. Strategic Direction 1 focuses on conserving globally threatened species and ecosystems in priority corridors and KBAs. Strategic Direction 2 supports sustainable production systems that integrate biodiversity conservation within agricultural and productive landscapes in the Cerrado region.
Funding Details
Small grant projects under this call may receive up to $225,000. Letters of Intent exceeding this funding limit are automatically considered ineligible. Funding is intended to support civil society-led conservation initiatives with long-term environmental and institutional impact.
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities include biodiversity conservation actions, ecological corridor restoration, governance strengthening of protected and priority areas, sustainable production practices, institutional strengthening of local organizations, sociobiodiversity promotion, public policy engagement, and strategic communication for conservation awareness.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include non-governmental organizations, foundations, formally registered associations, cooperatives, and private companies (excluding Microempreendedor Individual entities). Joint applications are allowed, provided roles are clearly defined between lead and partner organizations. Applicants outside the Cerrado may apply if activities and outcomes are fully focused within the hotspot.
Ineligible Applicants
Individuals, Microempreendedor Individual entities, and most government agencies are not eligible. Public universities are only eligible if applications are submitted through officially recognized research support foundations with legal authority to receive private funding.
Funding Restrictions
Grant funds cannot be used for land acquisition, relocation or resettlement of people, capitalization of fiduciary funds, or activities outside the Cerrado Hotspot. Projects involving alteration or removal of culturally or historically significant sites, including archaeological or natural heritage, are also not eligible.
Programme Support and Coordination
The CEPF Cerrado biodiversity conservation grants is supported technically by the Instituto Internacional de Educação do Brasil, which provides guidance, facilitates partnerships, and strengthens learning among grantees. The broader funding mechanism is managed by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, a global initiative supported by multiple international donors.
Key Principles
The programme is built on civil society leadership, ecosystem-based conservation, and long-term sustainability. It emphasizes locally led solutions, integration of conservation and sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening institutional capacity to ensure lasting biodiversity outcomes in the Cerrado.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common errors include proposing activities outside the Cerrado Hotspot, exceeding the funding ceiling, weak alignment with strategic conservation directions, or unclear roles in joint applications. Proposals lacking clear biodiversity impact or institutional capacity are less competitive.
Success Factors
Successful proposals demonstrate strong alignment with conservation priorities, clear impact on biodiversity or ecosystems, and strong local partnerships. They also show capacity for governance improvement, sustainable production integration, and measurable conservation outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The CEPF Cerrado biodiversity conservation grants supports civil society conservation projects in Brazil’s Cerrado region.
- Grants of up to $225,000 are available for eligible projects.
- The programme is coordinated by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.
- Technical support is provided by the Instituto Internacional de Educação do Brasil.
- Projects must focus on the Cerrado Hotspot and Key Biodiversity Areas.
- Eligible activities include conservation, governance, and sustainable production.
- Individuals and most government agencies are not eligible applicants.
Conclusion
The CEPF Cerrado biodiversity conservation grants strengthens biodiversity protection in one of the world’s most critical ecosystems by supporting civil society-led conservation action. Through funding and technical support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and the Instituto Internacional de Educação do Brasil, the programme advances long-term ecological sustainability, governance, and community-led conservation in Brazil’s Cerrado.
For more information, visit Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.
