Conservation

Seed grants

For early to mid-career conservationists

Apply Now!

We are happy to announce the Zooreach Conservation Seed Grants (ZCSG) to ​document poorly known groups of wildlife (fauna, flora, and fungi) in poorly ​studied landscapes by newcomers, early, and mid career conservationists ​with less than 10 years of experience.

The 4-5 month grant is to enhance the baseline knowledge of species ​distributions, documenting threats to species and habitats, understanding ​priority areas of research and conservation, activities that build up basic ​knowledge to pursue actual conservation, and reasonable execution of ​conservation activities such as perception studies, education & outreach along ​with conservation action on the ground.

The grant encourages publication/s in either the peer-reviewed Journal of ​Threatened Taxa or fact-checked write up in Zoo’s Print.

The grant is of two sizes -- one up to Rs 1 lakh and the other up to Rs 2 lakhs -- ​for an individual or group depending on the scope and needs of the project.

Who can Apply?

ZCSG is open for all newcomers, early to mid-career conservationists working across ​landscapes in India*. The grant is open for only Indian nationals. Projects have to be ​toward wildlife conservation, restoration, and climate change mitigation. Distribution ​studies of species, specifically looking at unexplored areas and/or lesser-known taxa ​are encouraged as also search for lost species. This is an individual grant and open for ​students, researchers, and conservation practitioners. People working with ​organisations or being part of bigger projects need to get a letter of support or NOC to ​qualify for the grant.

*Note: The 2024-25 grant cycle is restricted to peninsular India: Maharashtra, Goa, ​Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Dadra & ​Nagar Haveli.

Application Process

1. Submission of the project proposal through the application form, from 10 July 2024 to ​10 August 2024.
2. Download the application template for preparation here.
   
3. To fill the application form click here.
   
4. Virtual interviews will be conducted for shortlisted projects with experts from 15 August ​2024 to 25 August 2024.
   
5. Shortlisted applicants will pitch their proposal online to the Jury on 26 & 27 August 2024 ​for the final round.
6. Results will be announced on 1 September 2024.
7. Grantees will receive the first instalment by 5-7 September 2024 to begin their work by ​15 September 2024.
   

Grants not eligible for:

• Projects in landscapes other than peninsular India.

• Projects with conventional research and no conservation component.

• Projects with no prior research permits in protected areas.

Guidelines for Applicants

• Download the grant application template here to prepare well before submission. Do not ​submit the filled-in template by email. It will not be considered.
  
• Complete the application form here. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
  
• The budget should be prepared using the template provided here.
  
• Provide two reference letters from your mentors, guides, and professors. Reference letters ​from project members won’t be accepted.
  
• Projects can have more than one team member. Roles and communication details for all ​members should be provided.
• Applicants can include stipend in the budget, but it should not exceed 30% of the total grant ​amount requested.
• The field component of the project must not extend beyond 15 January 2025 as all the ​expense accounts and bills should be received at the Zooreach office by 01 February 2025 ​along with the final project report.
• The article/s for publication must be submitted before 15 February 2025.
• The final instalment of the grant will be transferred after the above deliverables are ​submitted.
• This is an individual grant. Organisations cannot apply. Individuals working with ​organisations or being part of bigger projects need to get a letter of support or NOC from the ​organisation saying they are okay with the applicant applying and receiving funds ​individually for the applied component to qualify for the grant.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit my application via mail?

Applicants are encouraged NOT to submit their applications through mails. ​Applications submitted through the online application form will only be accepted.

In case of any problem using the application form, contact us at zcsg@zooreach.org ​and trisa@zooreach.org

Can I submit more than 1 application?

No. One individual can submit only one grant application.

Can I save my application and work later?

No. Applicants are encouraged to download the Application form to work on it before ​and submit the final proposal via the online mode.

I submitted my grant but did not receive any confirmation email.

The Applicant will receive a confirmation mail after submitting the form withing 24

hours. In case you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours after submission, ​reach out to us at trisa@zooreach.org and zcsg@zooreach.org.

I am a PhD student, Can I apply?

Yes. Students pursuing doctoral studies are welcome to apply, provided you define ​specific objectives targeted under this grant. Also, it is mandatory to submit a scientific ​publication out of the work done using this grant by 15 February 2025 to the Journal of ​Threatened Taxa.

The grant CANNOT be used to pay tuition fees, admin costs, fellowships, institutional ​charges, or for conference registration & travel.

I am a master’s student, can I apply for my thesis?

Yes. Students aiming to pursue their dissertation in conservation, restoration, or ​climate change mitigation related aspects are most welcome to apply for the grant. ​The project must be no longer than 4 months and end by 15 January 2024. Also, it is ​mandatory to submit a scientific publication out of the work done using this grant by ​15 February 2025 to the Journal of Threatened Taxa.

The grant money can be used to pay a stipend for the project members but CANNOT ​be used to pay tuition fees, admin costs, fellowships, institutional charges, or for ​conference registration & travel.

I am part of an organization. Can I apply?

Yes, you are invited to apply as an individual. In order to qualify for the grant, the ​applicant working with an organization or as part of bigger project needs to get a ​letter of support or NOC from the organization head stating that the applicant can ​receive the grant to their personal bank account and that the organization will not ​charge the applicant any overheads, to qualify for the grant.

The Grant money will be transferred to the individual’s bank account & not to the ​organization, and all the communications will be with the Grantee.

I am a foreigner working in India. Am I eligible to apply?

Unfortunately, no. ZCSG only supports Indian nationals. Applications from individuals ​from any other nationality or Indians working abroad will not be accepted.

My project is part of a bigger initiative/ project. Can I still apply to the Grant?

Yes. Projects that are part of ongoing projects are invited to apply. It is mandatory for ​the grantees to provide a letter of support or NOC from the team/Project Investigator. ​The proposal should clearly specify the objectives deliverable using this grant. Also, it is ​mandatory to submit a publication out of the work done using this grant by 15

February 2025 to the Journal of Threatened Taxa or Zoo’s Print.

Also, applicants need to provide the actual budget of the project, and how much ​percentage will ZCSG support.

My Project does not require 2 Lakh rupees. Can I apply?

Yes. Projects having a budget between Rs 1 Lakh to 2 Lakhs are welcome to apply for ​the grant.

Can we ask more than 2 Lakhs?

No. Zooreach Conservation Seed Grant 2024 will only fund projects having objectives ​with Rs 1 lakh to 2 lakhs. Projects seeking more than 2 lakhs are advised to either apply ​for additional funding or bigger grants.

Do I need to have a Bank account to apply for the grant?

Yes. It is mandatory for the applicant to have a bank account for the Grant money to be ​transferred.

I am not good at communicating in English. Can I apply?

Yes. English is not a major criterion for applying to ZCSG. Meanwhile, it is mandatory to ​have one of the team members fluent in communication in English. The major

deliverables of the grant include 3 Blogs in English, 1 Publication, and a Final Report in ​English during the Grant period.

What should be the duration of the project proposed?

The project duration should be no longer than 4-5 months and must start latest by 15 ​September 2024 and the field component must finish by 15 January 2025. The expense ​accounts, bills, and the final report must be submitted by 01 February 2025 and the ​article/s for publication must be sent before 15 February 2025.

Is there any age restriction?

No. The grant is open to newcomers, early, and mid-career conservationists working in ​the field of wildlife conservation with less than 10 years of experience.

What are the expectations from the Grantees?

• 3 Blogs: Grantees are expected to submit 3 blogs writing about the updates of their ​projects, which will be published on the Grant website and social media.

• Final Project report: Final project report is due on 15 February 2025. The final ​instalment of the grant will be provided only after the report is submitted.

• One Publication: Grantees have to submit an article or scientific paper for publication ​in Zoo’s Print or Journal of Threatened Taxa. PhD and Master’s students must submit a

research paper to JoTT by 15 February 2025. The final instalment of the grant will be ​transferred after the article or scientific paper is submitted along with the final report.

• The Grantees are expected to maintain proper account of all their expenditures and ​post all the original bills to Zooreach main admin office in Coimbatore before the ​release of the second and the final instalments.

All these expectations are mandatory.

What happens if I am unable to achieve all the objectives by 15 February 2025?

The applicants are expected to design achievable objectives and address the risks in ​the proposal. Though it is ideal to finish the project within 15 February 2025, in case of ​any unavoidable delay the Grantee is expected to give a proper justification and wrap ​up the project before 15 March 2025.

Are there any community reservations?

No. There are no community reservations for the granting process. All applicants stand ​an equal chance.

When can I expect to know the outcome of my application?

The results for ZCSG will be announced on 1 September 2024 on our social media ​platform and by email to the Grantee.

If my project is selected, when will I receive the funds?

The project grantees will receive the first instalment of their funds by 5-7 September ​2024.

What amount of funds are disbursed in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd instalment?

First Instalment (05-07 September 2024): 50%

Second Instalment (01 December 2024): 40% (Only if the accounts for the first ​instalment are kept up and submitted properly in time.)

Third Instalment (15 February 2025): 10% (Only if the final report, 3 blogs, and the article ​for Zoo’s Print or Journal of Threatened Taxa are submitted.)

I do not need funding. Can I apply for capacity building support?

If you do not need funding but are interested in our capacity development program, ​send us an email to zcsg@zooreach.org and trisa@zooreach.org with details about the ​kind of capacity you wish to develop. You can apply to our 4-month residential ​intensive course called the Ram Hattikudur Advanced Training in Conservation by ​visiting the site www.rhatc.zooreach.org.

What happens if there are glitches in the accounting process?

Grantees must maintain accurate accounting records as instructed. If you encounter ​issues due to misunderstanding of procedures, call us immediately for clarification. ​However, failure to adhere to accounting guidelines or undisclosed discrepancies may ​result in potential retrieval of the grant.

How do I prepare?

Download the Application Form template here beforehand and keep all the required ​documents ready before submitting finally on the online application here. The FAQ ​section answers most of the major clarifications. In case you have any additional ​question that is not already answered on the webpage, reach out to us at ​zcsg@zooreach.org and trisa@zooreach.org .

What all additional documents should I submit with the application form?

• Download the Budget template here and upload the file to the form in the Budget ​section

• Upload your Aadhaar and PAN card in the personal information section.

• 2 Reference letters from appropriate referees should be uploaded.

• You have the option to upload 2 photos to support your application. (Photos must ​not exceed 5 MB)

• One passport size photograph

• You have the option to upload 2 additional documents to support your application. ​(Documents must not exceed 5 MB)

• Applicant must submit an updated CV.

What is the difference between summary and budget?

The Project summary should include all the different aspects of your project: goal, ​objective, activities, results, and impact of your project. It should ideally not exceed ​250 words.

The Background of the project is to establish the justification to conduct the project ​and how your work brings a solution for the problem statement. The background can ​be within 500 words and must establish why your project is important.

What is the difference between goal, objective, and activity?

Project goal is ideally the intension you have for your project by the end of the grant ​period.

Project objectives are the broad targets and the aim you have for your project to ​achieve your goal.

Project activities are the specific steps you take to fulfil your objectives.

Who is a referee?

Every applicant must submit contact details of 2 referees along with reference letters. ​A referee can be your guide, mentor, or professor who knows you and your work. Team ​members cannot be referees.

Who is an overseer?

Applicants must have an overseer in addition to the referees. An overseer is a person ​who is working closely with you and is ready to take responsibility for you and the ​project during the granting period. In case of any problem that occurs during the ​project, both overseer and the grantee will be answerable to the granting agency.

What aspects do I add to the Budget?

The Budget template includes all the necessary information required for the grant. ​Please download the template here, fill all the required information, and upload the ​final budget in the application form.

The Budget sheet has 2 formats. Which one should I fill?

Budget 1 is for individuals who have a stand-alone project (not part of a bigger ​project).

Budget 2 is for individuals who are applying for a few specific defined objectives in a ​larger project.

The Project is part of a bigger initiative/project/program with a larger budget. ​Which sheet should I fill?

Budget 2 is to be filled by applicants who are part of a bigger project and are applying ​to ZCSG for a few specific defined objectives.

Can I submit the budget is another template?

No. It is mandatory for the applicants to fill the budget template provided and submit ​it for the application.

Accounting Procedure

What is the accounting procedure?

Grantees are expected to use only bank transfers or UPI for payments using grant ​funds. Use of cash is permitted only in extreme scenarios. Bills/vouchers/receipts are ​to be obtained for all transactions, and addressed to grantee and project name. It is ​mandatory to provide bank statements as proof for all transactions. Make sure that ​the billing name matches payment recipient name. A detailed record of all the ​expenses should be maintained and the expense reports with supporting documents ​should be submitted as per grant agreement. Report any unspent funds at the end of ​the grant period.

What document do I need to submit for the accounting procedure?

The Grantee is required to submit their CV, Bank details, PAN card, Aadhaar Card, ​current address, email address, and a photo in JPG format.

First Round ​Interviews begin

15 August ​2024

2nd Blog Submission

15 December ​2024

Contact

In case of any queries reach out to us at:

zcsg@zooreach.org and ​trisa@zooreach.org

Call +91 93853 39862 or +91 76050 35455