FCRA PROJECT: WWF-INDIA’S SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

 

Deadline: 30.06.2014

With the aim of encouraging young Indians to respond innovatively and independently to the conservation issues which affect the country, WWF-India is offering eligible individuals a one-time grant of up to Rs. 200,000 for carrying out conservation research or undertaking a conservation project.

The primary objective of this grant is to provide financial capacity to individuals based in India, who have developed and wish to implement short-term conservation research or initiatives that can contribute to larger conservation goals.

The SGP will provide grants to individuals for activities and/or research that address issues and offer solutions or insights towards:

• Species and habitat related problems and concerns – with a focus on immediate threats and issues (e.g. vulture conservation)
• Enabling communities and other stakeholders to address local environmental concerns
• Improving local livelihoods through conservation and natural resources management or promoting livelihoods that reduce impacts on biodiversity
• Aspects of trade involving wildlife species
• Increasing understanding on the status of lesser known or lesser studied species of wildlife
• Innovative approaches to awareness raising regarding environmental concerns
• Demonstrating individual or collective action towards conservation outcomes

Applicants must demonstrate a mature breadth and depth of knowledge on the area of environmental conservation and the particular geographical area or issue that they wish to contribute to through their project. The duration of the project should be between 6 to 12 months and the scale of the project should be such that funding awarded covers the total or the majority of the requirements.

Funds will be provided to the successful individual in a phased manner – 50% on acceptance, 30% on a successful mid-term review and 20% on approval of a satisfactory final report submitted by the project leader on or near the completion of the project. The final reports should also include a full financial report on expenditures made as part of the project. Acknowledgement of support provided by WWF should be mentioned in related publications or communications.

CRITERIA

Proposals meeting some or all of the following criteria will receive priority consideration:

• Contribute to WWF’s mission of conservation. Priority will be given to initiatives located in WWF-India’s priority landscapes or geographies
• Achieve a clear outcome within the project timeframe that can be scaled up or replicated
• Encourage participatory or community-based conservation and natural resource management  
• Introduce innovative approaches that can demonstrate conservation impact
• Have a clearly articulated rationale that demonstrates urgency and need for the work

Funds should be utilized primarily for field activities and not administrative expenditures or capital assets.