Elephant Conservation and Research Funding Support Program

The Elephant Conservation and Research Funding Support Program is administered by the International Elephant Foundation, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of elephants worldwide. The foundation focuses on supporting scientifically grounded, community-engaged, and sustainable initiatives that contribute to the long-term survival of elephant populations and the ecosystems they inhabit. Through this funding program, the organization seeks to promote practical and effective conservation interventions that address both ecological and human dimensions of elephant conservation. The program provides financial support for projects that directly contribute to elephant conservation, research, and habitat protection. It prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate measurable outcomes and tangible conservation impact. Eligible project areas include human-elephant conflict mitigation, habitat conservation and management, conservation education, transboundary conservation efforts, anti-poaching and elephant protection activities, efforts to reduce illegal wildlife trade such as ivory and bushmeat, and research into elephant diseases. The program emphasizes interventions that are evidence-based, ethically appropriate, and culturally sensitive, ensuring that projects are both scientifically valid and locally accepted. Funding is typically awarded to approximately 20 to 25 projects each year, with an average grant amount of 15,000 dollars per year. The program supports both single-year and multi-year initiatives, although projects must demonstrate that meaningful outcomes can be achieved and evaluated within one to two years. While the program does not specify a strict minimum or maximum award threshold, applicants are expected to submit realistic budgets aligned with project goals. Certain costs are explicitly excluded from funding, including international travel to project sites, weapons or ammunition, payments to informants, tuition for advanced degrees, and indirect or overhead costs. The program is open to applicants globally, provided that projects are focused on elephant conservation and are implemented in relevant field locations. Applicants must demonstrate that they have established operations in the project area and possess the necessary expertise and experience to successfully execute the proposed work. The foundation places strong emphasis on community-based initiatives that involve local stakeholders and show potential for scalability or long-term sustainability. Investigators are expected to provide evidence of prior experience or qualifications through submitted curriculum vitae and supporting documentation. Applications must be submitted in English through the foundation’s online application portal. The submission process requires applicants to complete a comprehensive application form and upload several supporting documents, including a detailed budget spreadsheet, project timeline, organizational recognition documentation where applicable, investigator and co-investigator CVs, and any required permits or endorsements. Applicants are encouraged to prepare their responses in advance using a provided sample application document before entering information into the online system. Proposals are evaluated based on their potential effectiveness, feasibility, and alignment with the foundation’s conservation priorities. Reviewers consider whether the proposed methods have been previously tested or validated, whether the project includes appropriate stakeholder engagement, and whether it demonstrates a clear path to measurable conservation outcomes. Projects that rely on unproven or ineffective methods are not considered for funding, and applicants are advised to thoroughly research and justify their chosen approaches. The application deadline for the 2027 funding cycle is August 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Following submission, proposals undergo a review process conducted by the foundation. While specific award notification timelines are not provided, funded projects are generally expected to begin within the following funding cycle period. The program operates on an annual basis, with new funding opportunities expected each year, allowing applicants to reapply in future cycles if not selected.

Ensure proposed methods are evidence-based and previously validated; demonstrate measurable conservation outcomes; include strong community and stakeholder engagement; align project with priority conservation areas such as habitat protection or conflict mitigation