Deadline: 14-Sep-2026
Darwin Plus Strategic is part of the Darwin Plus Biodiversity Challenge Funds managed by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is designed to support high-impact, large-scale conservation initiatives that deliver long-term environmental benefits across the UK Overseas Territories. The programme focuses on protecting globally significant biodiversity found in some of the world’s most ecologically unique regions.
Programme Structure and Purpose
Darwin Plus Strategic supports ambitious projects that go beyond small-scale conservation efforts. It aims to:
- Deliver transformative and system-wide environmental change
- Strengthen biodiversity conservation across UK Overseas Territories
- Protect fragile and complex ecosystems
- Conserve endemic and threatened species
- Support international environmental commitments and policies
- Advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Encourage cross-territory collaboration and knowledge sharing
- Scale and replicate successful conservation models
- Mobilise resources, expertise, and innovation for biodiversity protection
- Address root causes of biodiversity loss through systemic solutions
Strategic Focus Areas
The programme supports projects that contribute to long-term ecological resilience, including:
- Biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration
- Protection of endemic and endangered species
- Ecosystem recovery and climate resilience
- Cross-territory environmental collaboration
- Replication of proven conservation approaches
- Strengthening environmental governance and policy alignment
- Contribution to Multilateral Environment Agreements
- Regional biodiversity benefits beyond UK Overseas Territories
Funding Details
- Grant size: £1 million to £3 million per project
- Project duration: 3 to 5 years
- Funding type: Large-scale strategic biodiversity investment
- Expected scale: Multi-territory or high-impact single-territory projects
Programme Context
Darwin Plus Strategic is one of four schemes under the Darwin Plus programme:
- Darwin Plus Local
- Darwin Plus Main
- Darwin Plus Strategic
- Darwin Plus People & Skills
Among these, the Strategic stream is the most ambitious, designed for projects with proven success at smaller scales that can now be expanded or replicated for wider impact.
Eligibility and Project Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Strong evidence of prior successful conservation work
- Ability to scale or replicate conservation models
- Clear strategic impact across one or more UK Overseas Territories
- Collaboration across institutions, territories, or sectors
- Alignment with Darwin Plus conservation priorities
- Potential for long-term environmental transformation
Projects should ideally include:
- Multi-partner collaboration
- Strong scientific or conservation evidence base
- Clear biodiversity impact metrics
- Integration with national and international conservation frameworks
Application and Assessment Process
The Darwin Plus Strategic application process is multi-stage and highly competitive:
- Initial eligibility and quality screening
- Independent review by the Darwin Plus Advisory Group (DPAG)
- Shortlisting of proposals
- Clarification stage with applicant responses
- Possible virtual interviews
- Final review by Defra
- Due diligence checks before funding approval
Applications are assessed using Darwin Plus Main criteria, with additional emphasis on Strategic Value.
Strategic Value Requirement
- Strategic Value is a key evaluation component
- It is double-weighted in assessment scoring
- Applicants must demonstrate at least one strategic criterion
- Emphasis is placed on long-term, scalable, and systemic impact
Why This Programme Matters
Darwin Plus Strategic plays a critical role in global biodiversity conservation by protecting ecosystems in some of the world’s most unique and vulnerable territories. It enables large-scale action that addresses biodiversity loss, climate impacts, and ecosystem degradation through collaborative and science-driven approaches. The programme also strengthens international conservation partnerships and supports long-term environmental sustainability.
How the Programme Works
- Organisations develop large-scale biodiversity conservation proposals
- Projects must demonstrate prior evidence of success and scalability
- Applications are submitted under the Darwin Plus Strategic scheme
- Multi-stage review and assessment process is conducted
- Shortlisted applicants may undergo interviews and clarification rounds
- Final funding decisions are made by Defra
- Approved projects are implemented over 3–5 years
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting projects without proven prior evidence or pilot success
- Weak demonstration of scalability or replication potential
- Lack of collaboration across territories or organisations
- Poor alignment with biodiversity conservation priorities
- Insufficient strategic value in proposal design
- Overly narrow or short-term project focus
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly demonstrate prior successful conservation outcomes
- Show how the project can scale or be replicated
- Highlight cross-territory collaboration and partnerships
- Provide strong scientific and ecological evidence base
- Align with SDGs and international environmental agreements
- Emphasize long-term, systemic biodiversity impact
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Darwin Plus Strategic?
- It is a UK government funding scheme supporting large-scale biodiversity conservation projects in UK Overseas Territories
- It focuses on transformative and long-term environmental impact
- How much funding is available?
- £1 million to £3 million per project
- What is the project duration?
- 3 to 5 years
- Who can apply?
- Organisations with proven conservation experience
- Applicants capable of delivering large-scale, multi-territory projects
- What does the programme focus on?
- Biodiversity conservation
- Ecosystem restoration
- Endemic species protection
- Cross-territory collaboration
- Scalable conservation models
- How are applications assessed?
- Multi-stage review including DPAG evaluation, interviews, and Defra approval
- Strategic Value is a key weighted criterion
Conclusion
Darwin Plus Strategic is a high-value funding programme supporting transformative biodiversity conservation across UK Overseas Territories. By funding large-scale, evidence-based, and collaborative projects, it drives long-term ecological protection, ecosystem restoration, and global biodiversity resilience.
For more information, visit Darwin Plus.