Call for Applications: Satellites for Biodiversity Award (Round 4)

The Connected Conservation Foundation, in partnership with the Airbus Foundation, offers the Satellites for Biodiversity Award, providing high-resolution satellite imagery, technical support, and funding to conservationists. The program enables community-led initiatives to monitor ecosystems, track wildlife, detect illegal activities, and enhance biodiversity protection using advanced geospatial tools.

Programme Overview

The Satellites for Biodiversity Award empowers conservationists with very-high-resolution satellite imagery from Airbus’s Pléiades and Pléiades Neo satellites. The award combines technical tools, training, and funding to help organisations and field teams monitor ecosystems, evaluate biodiversity, and plan conservation actions at unprecedented precision.

This initiative bridges local ecological knowledge with cutting-edge remote sensing, supporting data-driven decision-making and community-led conservation projects.

Key Benefits

• Access to Pléiades and Pléiades Neo satellite imagery

• Financial grant (approximately US$6,000) to support project implementation

• Geospatial software such as ArcGIS Pro for data analysis and visualisation

• Technical support and mentorship for integrating satellite data into conservation workflows

• Opportunities to contribute to the Ecosystem Insight Hub, a shared knowledge repository

Who Should Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Local conservation organisations

• NGOs engaged in biodiversity and ecosystem protection

• Research groups focusing on ecological monitoring or community-led conservation

• Teams integrating machine learning or GIS tools with conservation initiatives

Projects that combine satellite observations with community engagement and applied conservation actions are highly encouraged.

Priority Project Areas

The award supports initiatives that:

1. Map wildlife corridors and migration patterns

2. Monitor habitat loss or degradation

3. Detect illegal logging, poaching, or environmental threats

4. Strengthen human–wildlife coexistence

5. Combine local ecological knowledge with advanced geospatial technologies

How It Works

1. Application Submission: Interested organisations submit a proposal detailing their project objectives, conservation goals, and how satellite imagery will be used.

2. Selection Process: Proposals are evaluated based on scientific merit, feasibility, and impact potential.

3. Award Allocation: Winners receive:

   • High-resolution satellite imagery

   • Technical support for data analysis

   • Geospatial software access

   • Financial grant to fund project activities

4. Project Implementation: Teams apply satellite data to monitor ecosystems, guide conservation action, and inform local stakeholders.

5. Knowledge Sharing: Awarded projects contribute insights to the Ecosystem Insight Hub, sharing lessons learned with a global network of conservation practitioners.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly demonstrate how satellite imagery will enhance project outcomes

• Highlight community involvement and local knowledge integration

• Provide a detailed project plan, timeline, and expected impact

• Show potential for scalability and long-term benefits

• Emphasise innovative use of geospatial and machine learning tools

FAQ

Q1: Who can apply for the award?
A: Local conservation organisations, NGOs, and research groups using satellite data for biodiversity or ecosystem protection.

Q2: What type of projects are eligible?
A: Projects that map wildlife, monitor habitat changes, detect illegal activities, or enhance human–wildlife coexistence using geospatial tools.

Q3: How much funding is provided?
A: The award provides approximately US$6,000, along with technical support and software access.

Q4: Are there restrictions on geographic location?
A: The award is globally accessible, supporting conservationists from any region.

Q5: What is the Ecosystem Insight Hub?
A: A shared repository for award-winning projects to share insights, data, and scalable conservation solutions globally.

Q6: Can machine learning or AI be used in projects?
A: Yes, projects integrating advanced analytical tools with satellite data are encouraged.

Q7: Is prior experience with satellite imagery required?
A: No, technical mentorship is provided to help teams effectively use satellite data.

Conclusion

The Satellites for Biodiversity Award offers a unique combination of funding, satellite imagery, geospatial software, and technical support to strengthen community-led conservation initiatives. By bridging local expertise with advanced technology, the award enhances biodiversity monitoring, promotes data-driven decision-making, and builds a global network of conservation practitioners committed to protecting ecosystems and wildlife.