Conservation Grants

AArk has offered grants since 2009 and in the past these have been predominantly seed grants, for newly created ex situ programs, for species that have been assessed as in need of urgent ex situ rescue.

In 2018 our grants program was expanded, to include a wider range of programs types that are eligible for funding. Some new guidelines and requirements for grant recipients have been included, so please be sure to read the guidelines carefully. Download the complete guidelines here.

We will be accepting funding applications for the following types of grants from 1st September 2021:

• Start-up grants – initial funding to help newly-launched projects get started at the very beginning of their life, to help them attract larger and/or long-term funding for the duration of the program. We will not fund projects that are already well-established or have significant funding, although we will consider projects with funding in place for complementary components (such as fieldwork or education). One-time grants of up to US$5,000 are available. Recipients are able to apply for second and third year extension grants. A Project Outline (see below) must be submitted prior to your application.
• Start-up grant extensions – additional funds are available to provide continued support for AArk seed or start-up grant projects that a) have met their stated objectives for previous years, and b) can demonstrate that additional supplemental funds have been secured since the original AArk grant was provided. All past recipients of AArk seed or start-up grants are eligible to apply for these extensions however it is expected that husbandry guidelines and a species action plan have been completed. Second-year grants of up to US$4,000 and third-year grants of up to US$3,000 are available.
• Workshop attendance – partial funding to assist attendance at ex situ amphibian conservation-related workshops, especially those which focus on amphibian husbandry, planning and reintroduction. Applicants must have already secured partial funding to attend the workshop. You must already be actively involved in an amphibian conservation project or have well-developed plans and funding in place to implement a new program Grants of up to US$750 are available.
• Mentorship grants – support for organizations which have previously received an AArk seed or start-up grant, to bring in a designated outside expert to assist with an aspect of their amphibian conservation efforts (e.g. veterinary training, environmental control etc.). Grants up to US$1,500 are available. A Project Outline (see below) must be submitted prior to your application.
• Emergency grants – limited funding is available for past recipients of AArk grants throughout the year for emergency situations such as unanticipated major equipment failure in existing ex situ programs. These grants are also available for the emergency rescue of wild populations facing imminent threat of extinction. Please download the Emergency Grants Guidelines or contact grants@amphibianark.org at any time to discuss an emergency grant.

Our grants are intended to support conservation projects for amphibian species that cannot currently be saved in the wild, with a focus on ex situ actions, and in partnership with appropriate field activities. Preference will be given to projects for species which have been assessed as in need of ex situ rescue or research work, either as a recommendation from a Conservation Needs Assessment (www.conservationneeds.org) or a similar, national assessment process.

These grants are not intended to fund:

• Workshops
• Educational exhibits
• Project overheard or indirect costs
• Field projects without a strong ex situ component

Project Outline

All applicants for Start-up Grants or Start-up Extension Grants are required to submit a brief Project Outline, prior to submitting a full application. Your Project Outline should in English, less than 300 words in length, and should contain information under the following headings: Species, Organization, Project Manager, Previous amphibian husbandry experience, Goals, Proposed outcomes, Other funding sources (both requested and received) and the status of a Species Action or Recovery Plan for the species (including authors of the plan). Project Outlines will be reviewed and successful applicants will then be invited to submit a full application. Full applications will not be accepted without a Project Outline having been submitted and approved by the review committee.

Full applications

Project Outlines which have been approved by our review committee will receive an invitation to submit a Full Proposal.

Guidelines and requirements

All applications must reflect AArk values. Please pay careful attention to the grant guidelines, and address all of the appropriate items.

Requirements from grant recipients
Recipients of AArk grants are required to:

• Provide bank account details for the institution to the AArk within two weeks of being notified of grant approval.
• Return the signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between the director of the recipient institution and the AArk within two weeks of being notified of grant approval. A copy of the MOU can be seen here.
• Supply 3-4 photos of species and/or facilities for announcement of grant winners
• Send a brief progress report (e.g. newsletter article) and photos six months after funding received.
• Produce husbandry guidelines within six months of acquiring animals (using the Amphibian Husbandry Guidelines template). Existing examples are available on the Husbandry Documents page for reference.
• Submit a draft (or complete) action plan six months after funding received.
• Send a final progress report twelve months after funding received.

Application submissions
Ideally, grants should be submitted at least one week before the deadline, so they can be reviewed, and returned for alterations if needed. Grants submitted on the due date cannot be modified and will be accepted as is. Applications and inquiries should be directed to grants@amphibianark.org.