Deadline: 31 May 2019
The Habitats Trust is seeking applications to support organisations and individuals working in the field in India to conserve our natural habitats and indigenous species.
Working in a partnership model, the grants will facilitate field activities and provide partners an opportunity to leverage support to make their work more sustainable.
The Habitats Trust is a coalition of passionate individuals coming together with the aim of securing key habitats and their indigenous species. The mission of the Trust is to create and conserve sustainable ecosystems through strategic partnerships and collaborations with all stakeholders at every level. The Trust envision their natural habitats to be secured for future generations, and all species sharing our planet in all fairness and harmony.
Objectives
- The objective of The Habitats Trust Grants is to recognize and support the heroes of conservation, organizations and individuals, who work tirelessly against insurmountable odds to protect and preserve India’s natural habitats and indigenous species of flora and fauna.
- The Habitats Trust Grants have the following specific objectives:
- To financially support innovative, sustainable and replicable projects, proposed by committed conservationists working to secure a future for India’s habitats and indigenous species, one in each category, every year.
- To identify the unsung heroes of conservation whose work has had a significant impact in the field, and publish a compendium capturing their work, so their efforts are recognized at a national and international level.
Grant Categories
The Habitats Trust is offering grants in the following four categories:
- Grants for Organizations
- Strategic Partnership Grant (INR 25 lakhs): This flagship grant will primarily reach out to mid to large sized field work oriented organisations to create a two-way partnership for the Trust’s common cause of conservation. This grant is directed towards the running costs of on-ground projects. The grant should enable the creation of a sustainable and replicable conservation model to address some of the key conservation issues in India.
- Lesser-known Habitats Grant (INR 20 lakhs): This first of its kind initiative aims to secure and regenerate the overlooked and unaddressed habitats of the country that are in urgent need of conservation attention. These lesser-known habitats are home to an array of biodiversity, and serve as important connections between key wildlife landscapes and as havens for dispersal populations from the “celebrity” parks. Through the lesser-known habitats grant, the Trust hope to secure and bring into the limelight these vital habitats.
- Lesser-known Species Grant (INR 15 lakhs): In recent years, a great deal of attention has been given to the “glamour” species of the country such as tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos. Unfortunately, several of equally endangered species have not received the same level of conservation support. This unique grant aims to support conservationists working to secure a future for lesser-known endangered species.
- Grants for Individuals
- Conservation Hero Grant (INR 10 lakhs): Across the country there are grassroots conservationists working dedicatedly, with little to no support, to protect our biodiversity. The work they do in their individual capacity has a huge positive impact on conservation in the country. This grant aims to recognize these conservation heroes and provide them a platform to expand their activities and garner further support for their work.
General Guidelines
- Applicants must be locally registered in India.
- Only projects being carried out in India will be considered.
- Applications must be submitted in English to the best of applicant’s ability. This is not a selection criterion.
- Projects must have direct conservation benefits to threatened habitats or species. However, the Trust recognize that data gathering may be a critical element in developing a conservation or management strategy.
- Grants will only be provided for the conservation of indigenous species. Projects focusing on non-native and exotic species will be rejected.
- Grants will only be provided for natural habitats i.e. areas composed of viable assemblages of flora and/or fauna species of largely native origin and/or where human activity has not essentially modified an area’s primary ecological functions and species composition.
- Grants will not be provided for pure research work or for post graduate studies including thesis.
- Grants will not be provided for expeditions or for international travel to attend conferences and seminars.
- Applicants may only apply for only one grant per year across all grant categories.
- Projects must be structured to provide long-lasting and pragmatic conservation outcomes on ground.
- Project impacts must be measurable and appropriate indicators must be provided.
- Preference will be given to projects with a significant community/stakeholder engagement element.
- Projects should be a minimum of 12 months in duration, although each application is assessed on its own merit and the project length can be flexible.
- Funding must be used predominantly towards field-based activities.
- Budgets must be provided in Indian Rupees.
- Successful applicants must submit quarterly reports and a final report on the work supported by The Habitats Trust as per the reporting cycle and template provided.
- Grants will be dispatched as per a funding schedule or on need basis over the project duration.
- Field visits will be carried out for all shortlisted projects.
- Successful applicants cannot apply for funding for the same project in two consecutive years.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply online via the given website.
Eligible Country: India
For more information, please visit this link.
Tips for Applying to The Habitats Trust Grants 2019 in India