Deadline: 31-Dec-2025
The Jana Robeyst Trust Fund (JRTF) provides financial resources to early career biologists/conservationists to carry out vital field conservation and research work of endangered mammals in Africa.
This funding initiative plays a vital role in supporting young scientists by offering small-scale financial assistance that can make a significant difference in advancing their projects. With grants of up to 1,500 euros per application, the fund helps bridge critical gaps in resources, allowing researchers to take their work from concept to implementation.
This program is open to early career biologists from anywhere in the world, as long as their research is focused in Sub-Saharan Africa. The JRTF recognizes the importance of encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative approaches in conservation, and therefore places its trust in new researchers who are passionate about safeguarding threatened wildlife. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to apply again after twelve months, ensuring that valuable projects continue to have a chance at support.
The types of projects eligible for funding must demonstrate clear conservation and research value. Whether it is field research with practical conservation benefits, participation in training programs or workshops, or travel for presenting findings at conferences, the fund ensures that critical aspects of scientific development and fieldwork are supported. Essential field equipment required for completing research can also be covered, making it possible for biologists to overcome one of the most common challenges in carrying out effective studies.
However, not all expenses fall within the scope of the JRTF. Costs related to living, salaries, thesis production, debt repayment, or general fundraising are excluded from funding. Similarly, education projects and community workshops, while important, do not align with the fund’s specific focus on research-based conservation efforts. The program’s objective is to ensure that limited resources are directed toward projects with direct conservation benefits and measurable scientific value.
The Jana Robeyst Trust Fund small grants program, though modest in financial scale, represents a powerful stepping stone for early career biologists. By supporting essential elements of research and conservation, it empowers young scientists to build careers dedicated to protecting some of the most vulnerable species in Sub-Saharan Africa. This opportunity highlights the importance of nurturing new voices in conservation and ensuring that critical research continues to grow despite financial limitations.
For more information, visit JRTF.
