Amphibian Ark offers a wide variety of conservation grants for amphibian research and conservation. Start-up grants are one-time grants of US$5 thousand to help newly-launched projects get started at the very beginning. Start-up grant extensions of US$3 thousand provide continued support for AArk seed or start-up grant projects. Workshop grants of up to US$750 are available to attend conservation-related workshops. Mentorship grants of up to US$1500 are available to organizations which have previously received an AArk seed or start-up grant. Emergency grants offer limited funding to past recipients of AArk grants for emergency situations such as emergency rescue of wild populations facing imminent threat of extinction. Projects should work with species in their range countries, involve range-country biologists, conform to biosecurity standards, and observe other guidelines explained on the website. Applicants are required to submit a brief Project Outline, prior to submitting a full application. The project outline deadline for all grants is 08 September 2023. Detailed information
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.
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
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 throughout the year for emergency situations such as unanticipated major equipment failure in existing ex situ programs. These grants are also available for the ex situ component of 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.
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
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: 8 September 2023
- Applicants notified about review of Project Outlines: 22 September 2023
- Grant application deadline: 6 October 2023
- Grant decision/notification date: 31 October 2023
- Successful applicants must provide bank account details, signed MOU and 3-4 photos of species and/or facilities by: November 2023
- Initial progress report and species action plan provided by 1 June 2024
- Final progress report, species action plan and husbandry guidelines due 15 January 2025
