Primate Conservation Grant

Primate Conservation is a not-for-profit foundation established to fund field research that supports conservation programs for wild primate populations. Its grant program is intended to support original research that can be used to formulate and implement conservation plans for the species studied. Priority is given to projects focused on the least known and most endangered primate species in their natural habitats. Participation by citizens of the country where the primates occur is viewed positively. Although appropriate projects may be considered broadly, the funder identifies Asia and West Africa as regions of current interest. Funding is offered as seed money or matching grants for graduate students, qualified conservationists, and primatologists studying rare and endangered primates and their conservation in natural habitats. Grants have averaged approximately $2,500, and the maximum grant is $5,000. Priority is given to proposals with matching grants, although the source does not state that applicants are required to secure a match. PCI does not support conferences, travel to scientific meetings, legal actions, tuition, salaries at institutions, or overhead costs. Institutions administering PCI grants must agree that no grant money will be removed for administration, overhead, or other purposes and that the award will be used for the benefit of the named recipient. Proposals are evaluated competitively by outside reviewers and the Primate Conservation Board of Directors. Applicants are expected to explain the justification for the project and how it addresses primate conservation, provide relevant background on prior research and conservation action, and describe project goals, specific aims, design, implementation, and methods. Methodology must provide reviewers with enough information to judge whether the proposed goals can be accomplished with sufficient data to test the stated hypotheses. Depending on the project, applications should address survey and sampling methods, animal handling, disease transmission prevention, local professional development, involvement of local people, education and public information, work schedules, target sample sizes, data analysis, and questionnaires used for interviews or conservation education evaluation. Applicants must also explain dissemination, possible post-project conservation action, and how project success will be measured. The complete application includes the Project Proposal cover sheet, proposal narrative, timetable, detailed budget and budget justification, bibliography, a map showing the project location within the country, CVs of principal personnel limited to two pages per person, applicable government permissions or a statement that permissions are not needed, a completed and signed Institutional Agreement form, and the names and addresses of three qualified proposal reviewers who are not involved with the project. The budget must identify the total project budget, funds already available, institutional support, grants pending from other sources, and whether pending grants are alternatives or supplements to the PCI request. Applicants must also explain how much of the proposed project could be accomplished if PCI provides only partial funding. Continuing projects previously funded by PCI must include a summary of findings from the prior grant. The source states that proposals are to be typed, in English, and limited to 20 pages total, while the suggested outline specifies 8.5 by 11 inch paper, at least 12 point type, 1.5 spacing, margins of at least one-half inch, and a maximum of 10 pages for outline items 1 through 5. Applicants must submit three copies of the complete proposal and three copies of the signed Institutional Agreement form. A digital copy is mandatory and must be emailed to nrowe@primate.org; without a digital copy, the proposal will not be reviewed. The digital proposal should be submitted as an MS .doc or RTF file rather than PDF and should consolidate the cover page, proposal, budget, CV, Institutional Agreement, and other materials into one file. The file name should begin with the applicant's last name, followed by the country where fieldwork will occur and the application year. Hard-copy materials are sent to Primate Conservation at 1411 Shannock Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813, and should not require a signature or be sent by registered or certified mail. Application materials must reach PCI by February 1 or September 20. Because these two deadlines are presented without a limiting year, they are treated as recurring twice-yearly deadlines. As of August 24, 2026, the next stated deadline is September 20, 2026. Awards corresponding to the two application deadlines are given by May 15 and December 15, respectively, making December 15, 2026 the expected award timing for the upcoming September deadline. No separate letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, or other pre-application gating requirement is stated. No project performance period is prescribed in the supplied material. Program questions and digital applications may be directed to nrowe@primate.org, and PCI lists telephone number (401) 364-7140 and fax number (401) 364-6785.

Prioritize research on the least known and most endangered primates in their natural habitats; involve citizens from the country where the primates occur where possible; demonstrate rigorous methods and sufficient data to test hypotheses; explain disease transmission prevention; show local involvement and conservation impact; define how success will be measured; provide explicit budget calculations; identify other funding and keep PCI updated on pending grants; matching grants receive priority; ensure the mandatory digital copy is submitted because proposals without it will not be reviewed.