Eligibility

Proposals are invited for exceptional applied conservation research and/or community-based conservation projects. Graduate students, early-career professionals, collaborative partnerships, and non-governmental organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation (TDARFAC) operates primarily in Madagascar, where its field-based projects are implemented. However, the Foundation’s grant program has a global reach, supporting conservationists who primarily reside and work in primate range countries and advancing research and conservation across primate habitats worldwide.

Our Annual Grants Program is open to conservationists residing in primate range countries who are engaged in applied biodiversity research, public or environmental health, or locally rooted conservation action.

Applicants must demonstrate a clear and meaningful connection to non-human primate conservation. Projects may focus directly on primates or on biodiversity, human or environmental health, habitat conservation, community engagement, education, policy, or related activities where the proposed work can reasonably be expected to contribute to primate conservation outcomes.

Projects must also align with TDARFAC’s mission and at least one of our three core objectives:

• Building capacity

• Amplifying voices

• Partnering with local communities

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the following sections for detailed information regarding proposal guidelines, submission instructions, and funding levels. We also strongly encourage applicants to explore the writing resources provided at the bottom of this page to help refine and strengthen their proposals.

Proposal Review Process

All eligible proposals will undergo a double-blind review process.

Applicants will provide identifying information separately through the online application form. Project proposals themselves must not contain names or other personal identifying information so that reviewers can evaluate proposals without knowing the identity of the applicant.

For the 2027 cycle, proposals submitted by members of the February 2027 Conservation Masterminds cohort will receive priority consideration. This priority does not constitute guaranteed funding, and no portion of the available grant funding is reserved exclusively for cohort members.

All proposals, including those submitted by Conservation Masterminds participants, will be assessed according to TDARFAC’s established grant criteria, including:

• Scientific rigor

• Feasibility

• Alignment with TDARFAC’s mission and core objectives

• Potential conservation impact

• Clarity and measurability of proposed outcomes

To promote academic transparency and support applicant development, reviewer feedback will be shared with all applicants.

Funding will be awarded to a named individual Principal Investigator or project lead rather than directly to an institution. Applicants affiliated with universities, NGOs, collaborative partnerships, or other organizations remain eligible to apply, but the individual recipient will be responsible for the grant award and associated reporting requirements.

Following the review and notification process, selected grant recipients will be publicly recognized on our website and social media platforms.

TDARFAC conducts outcome evaluations after each project concludes. Evaluations include a researcher self-assessment and a decision matrix used by the Advisory Council and selection committee to measure project achievements.

Funding opportunities and requirements are subject to change. Please review this webpage prior to submission to ensure that you have the most current information.

How Do I Apply for a Grant?‍ ‍

1. Prepare Your Project Proposal Using the TDARFAC Template.

   • Proposals must follow the word counts specified for each section, excluding the title, references, and budget.

   • Figures, maps, and other visuals may be included directly in the proposal and are encouraged.

   • Documents must be submitted in English.

   • Files may be submitted as either a Word document or PDF.

   • The maximum file size is 1 GB.

2. Complete the Online Application Form.

   • A Google Account is required for the submission process.

   • Student Principal Investigators must submit two letters of support.

   • Letters of support are required only for student applications.

   • Applicants must upload their project proposal and, if applicable, letters of support at the end of the online application form.

3. Before Submitting Your Application, Please Confirm That:

   • All questions on the online application have been completed.

   • Your project proposal uses the TDARFAC template and adheres to all proposal guidelines.

   • Your proposal is attached to your online application as a Word document or PDF and is less than 1 GB in size.

   • Your project proposal does not include personal identifying information (PII).

     • Examples of PII include your name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, institutional identifying information where it would reveal your identity, or other information that could personally identify you.

Applications that fail to follow these instructions may be excluded from consideration.

What Do We Look for in Proposals?‍ ‍

TDARFAC seeks proposals that demonstrate scientific rigor, clear alignment with our mission, and meaningful conservation impact.

Strong proposals will:

• Adhere fully to submission guidelines and application requirements.

• Align with TDARFAC’s mission and address at least one of our three core objectives.

• Demonstrate a clear and meaningful connection to non-human primate conservation.

• Focus on non-human primates, their habitats, or conservation challenges affecting the landscapes and communities with which primates are connected.

• Present clear, specific, and scientifically measurable outcomes that meaningfully advance conservation goals.

• Demonstrate a realistic and feasible approach to implementation, evaluation, and project completion.

What Are My Obligations as a Grant Recipient?

Measure and Track Progress

Beginning with the 2027 grant cycle, TDARFAC grant recipients will use customizable project-management tools designed to monitor progress toward key milestones, identify emerging challenges, and highlight areas where additional support may be needed.

Recipients will be expected to:

• Establish and monitor KPI (Key Performance Indicator) Targets

• Maintain an Issue Tracker

• Complete and periodically update a Risk Assessment

These tools may be adapted to the needs of individual projects, with TDARFAC providing guidance regarding the most relevant indicators, milestones, and risks to track.

Prepare and Submit Final Reports

Grant recipients must submit a final report in English within six (6) months of project completion.

Final reports may be either:

• A written report of 800–1,300 words,

or

• A 2–4-minute visual/video report

Video reports are encouraged and preferred.

All final reports must include a minimum of three (3) high-resolution photographs with captions.

Recipients are also required to complete a self-assessment as part of TDARFAC’s independent project outcome evaluation. These assessments help us strengthen our grant application and review process and improve future project outcomes. We ask recipients to respond candidly and transparently so that we can learn from their experiences and more effectively fulfill our mission.

Any publications, conference papers, posters, presentations, or other media formats that use data or information obtained with the support of a TDARFAC grant must include the following acknowledgment:

“This research was supported by an Applied Conservation Grant from the Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation.”