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. While applications are welcomed from programs in all countries, this year we are especially keen to see applications to work with Atelopus species, in support of the Atelopus Survival Initiative (www.atelopus.org). We are also keen to see applications for extension grants from any existing ex situ program. Some new guidelines and requirements for grant recipients have recently 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:

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. 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.
Program extension grants – additional funds are available to provide continued support for projects for high priority species that a) have met their stated objectives for previous years, and b) can demonstrate that additional supplemental funds have been secured since the program began. 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.
Workshop support grants – support for organizations which are planning an in-person amphibian conservation-related workshop or symposium, especially those which focus on amphibian husbandry, planning and reintroduction. Applicants must have already secured partial funding for the workshop, and the dates and location for the workshop should have been publicly announced. Grants up to US$2,500 are available.
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:

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

Project Outline

All applicants for Start-up Grants or Mentorship Grants are required to submit a brief Project Outline, prior to submitting a full application. Ideally, your Project Outline should be in English or Spanish, but it can be submitted in any language. It should be less than 400 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 for start-up grants from institutions with limited amphibian expertise must include a copy of the report from the Institutional Program Implementation Tool (www.amphibianark.org/program-implementation-tool/) for the species at your institution. Your final application should address any shortfalls highlighted within the tool.

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.

Need some help?
AArk staff are available if you need assistance in formulating your proposal. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Each year several proposals have been rejected due to issues that could have been prevented with a little extra guidance! We also have several past seed grant recipients who are willing to act as mentors, to help with your application – please let us know if you would like us to put you in contact with one of them. Email us at grants@amphibianark.org.

Important dates

Program Outline deadline: 1 April 2023
Applicants notified about review of Project Outlines: 15 April 2023
Grant application deadline: 6 May 2023
Grant decision/notification date: 20 May 2023
Successful applicants must provide bank account details, signed MOU and 3-4 photos of species and/or facilities by: 3 June 2023
Grant payment date: 16 June 2023
Initial progress report and species action plan provided by 1 January 2024
Final progress report, species action plan and husbandry guidelines due 30 June 2024

Past recipients of AArk conservation grants can be found on the Grant Winners page.

AArk is grateful to the following individuals and organizations for their support of our Conservation Grants:

Anne Baker and Robert Lacy
Bernard and Nancy Karwick
Ronna Erickson

Federico Kacoliris, coordinator of the Wild Plateau Initiative, talks about their conservation work for the Valcheta Frog, a Critically Endangered species from Argentina.

In 2011, Sao Paulo Zoo in Brazil received an AArk Seed Grant for the conservation of the Alcatraz Island Tree Frog. Cybele Lisboa talks about how the grant has helped their program.

In 2015, Santacruz Zoo in Colombia received an AArk Seed Grant to establish a breeding laboratory specializing in Pristimantis species. Kelly Paola Prieto talks about how the grant has helped their program.

ASA Conservation Grants

If your project is predominantly based in the field, and therefore not eligible for an AArk grant, please consider applying for an ASA Conservation Grant. ASA Conservation Grants promote the development of amphibian conservation projects, particularly linked to their priorities of habitat conservation, mitigating emerging infectious diseases, and communication.

We would like to acknowledge the generous support of AArk funders and donors who have helped to establish and support these grants.