Applications Invited for WCT-Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Endangered Species Grants Programme

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About the Organization

The Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) was founded to safeguard India’s life-giving ecosystems in a holistic, sustainable manner. Recognising the interconnectedness between people and ecosystems, WCT uses a 360° approach to conservation by placing equal emphasis on both forest and wildlife conservation and community development. We work closely with Forest Departments across the country to fortify on-ground protection by training and equipping frontline forest staff. We collect scientific data from the ground to understand conservation needs and devise robust, scalable solutions. Through partnerships with a multitude of sectors including business houses, the Trust is attempting to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and also provide alternatives to fuelwood to reduce the anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems and fight forest degradation.

The idea is simple—secure key wildernesses to safeguard wildlife, people and rivers, and mitigate climate change.

About the Grant

Several organisations and individuals all over India are involved in conservation of or research on endangered species and habitats. While their efforts are commendable, limited availability of resources often restricts the potential and impact of their efforts which could prove crucial for addressing some of the key conservation challenges. Through the WCT-Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Endangered Species Grants Programme (WCT-BEES Grants), we aim to support critical conservation research and grassroots projects by awarding small grants to promising researchers, conservationists, and conservation organisations.

To provide opportunities to budding as well as practicing wildlife conservationists and researchers to pursue their passion of conserving endangered species and threatened habitats, WCT instituted the WCT-Small Grants Programme in March 2017. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WCT had to briefly discontinue the Small Grants Programme. After a hiatus of three years (2020-2023), WCT is back with its small grants programme with a broader vision, and a refined set of objectives, and goals. We are calling the 2.0 version the ‘WCT-Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Endangered Species Grants Programme (WCT-BEES Grants Programme)’.

The objective of our small grants programme is to encourage and strengthen on-ground nature conservation work in India.

Two types of grants will be provided under the WCT-BEES Grants programme:

• Wildlife Research Small Grant

The Wildlife Research Small Grant has been specially curated for providing funding support to wildlife researchers whose work is focused on endangered species and/or landscapes of exceptional biodiversity value in India. Projects with conservation as a core component will be preferred.

• Grassroots Conservation Small Grant

The Grassroots Conservation Small Grant has been specially curated for providing funding support to conservationists and conservation organisations whose work is focused on endangered species and/or landscapes of exceptional biodiversity value in India.

Both the Wildlife Research Small Grant and the Grassroots Conservation Small Grant have been curated to provide funding support to Indian wildlife researchers, grassroots conservationists and conservation organisations.

The small grants are not restricted to specific states/locations and are open to all Indian citizens and organisations with a valid registration certificate of India operations.

How to Apply

Download the application form, fill it up, and email it to us at smallgrants@wctindia.org.

Deadline for sending duly completed applications for WCT-BEES Grants programme 2024-25 is August 10, 2024 (23:59 hours).

Announcement of grantees will be made on or before September 10, 2024.

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Environment and Sustainability Innovations and Technology Research Advocacy Others