Darwin Initiative: Round 29 

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Darwin Initiative!

The schemes and how to apply 

Round 29 of the Darwin Initiative include the following schemes:

• Darwin Initiative Main – Stage 1 closed, Stage 2 by invite only
• Darwin Initiative Extra – now open
• Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity – now open
• Darwin Initiative Innovation – now open

Before applying, you should first read:

• Round 29 Guidance for applicants 
• Round 29 Finance Guidance 
• Flexi-Grant Guidance 
• Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Guidance
• Biodiversity Challenge Funds Risk Management Guidance
• Privacy Notice
• Biodiversity Challenge Funds Terms and Conditions 2022 

Additional material that you will be required to complete as part of your application can be found below or downloaded from Flexi-Grant:

• Biodiversity Challenge Funds implementation timetable
• Biodiversity Challenge Funds Stage 1 logframe template  
• Biodiversity Challenge Funds Stage 2 / Single Stage logframe template 

The budget spreadsheets for Darwin Initiative projects can be found below:

• Biodiversity Challenge Funds budget form (grants over £100,000) 
• Biodiversity Challenge Funds budget form (grants under £100,000)

More specific details on the various schemes can be found below.

Darwin Initiative Main

Round 29 sees the continuation of Darwin Initiative Main, now in its 30th year. Darwin Initiative Main invites applications for environmental projects between £100,000 and £600,000.

You need to apply online for Round 29 Darwin Initiative projects through the Flexi-Grant Application Portal.

Once you have read the guidance, complete the Darwin Initiate Main Round 29 – Stage 1 application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal. For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Main – Stage 1 application form useful.

If you are invited to Stage 2 you will be asked to complete the Stage 2 application form on the Flexi-Grant portal. For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Round 29 – Stage 2 application form useful.

Darwin Initiative Extra

Darwin Initiative Extra will continue under Round 29 for projects between £600,000 and £5m. Darwin Initiative Extra is intended for projects that are on a clear scaling pathway: building on good evidence from smaller projects to demonstrating the potential to scale further by completion and delivering strong results for biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction.

Once you have read the guidance, complete the Darwin Initiative Extra Round 29 application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal.

For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Extra Round 29 application form useful.

Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity 

Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity will also continue under Round 29 and invite projects that focus on developing the capability and capacity of national and local organisation to efficiently deliver effective and successful biodiversity conservation – poverty reduction projects. These will be £50,000 – £200,000 projects.

Once you have read the guidance, complete the Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity Round 29 application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal.

For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Capability and Capacity Round 29 application form useful.

Darwin Initiative Innovation 

Darwin Initiative Innovation welcomes applications for projects ranging from £10,000 to £200,000. Darwin Initiative Innovation is aimed at projects intending to test a novel approach that if proven could scale to deliver results for biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction.

Once you have read the guidance, complete the Darwin Initiative Innovation Round 29 application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal.

For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Innovation Round 29 application form useful.

When to apply 

Darwin Initiative Main

There is a two-stage application process for Darwin Initiative Main projects.

The timetable for Round 29 is:

• Call for Stage 1 applications: Sunday 22 May 2022
• Deadline for Stage 1 applications: Monday 25 July 2022
• Expected outcome of Stage 1 and notifications of applicants invited to Stage 2: late October 2022
• Deadline for Stage 2 applications (by invitation only): Monday 12 December 2022
• Expected notification of successful projects: at the end of February 2023 at the earliest
• Expected start date for successful projects: April 2023

 

Darwin Initiative Extra

The timetable for Round 29 is:

• Call for applications: Sunday 22 May 2022
• Deadline for applications: Monday 3 October 2022
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to provide clarifications from: Friday 9 December – Friday 6 January 2023
• Shortlisted applications will be invited to interview (remote): Monday 16 – Friday 27 January 2023
• Expected notification of successful project:  at the end of February 2023 at the earliest
• Expected start date for successful projects: April 2023

 

Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity and Innovation

The timetable for Round 29 is:

• Call for applications: Monday 5 September 2022
• Deadline for applications: Monday 7 November 2022
• Expected notification of successful project: at end of February 2023 at the earliest
• Expected start date for successful projects: April 2023