Conservation Initiatives Grants 2026

The Zoological Association of America (ZAA) is committed to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats worldwide. The ZAA Conservation Initiatives Grants awards grants up to US $5,000 to help in this effort. A wide variety of proposals will be considered, however field programs, studies and multidisciplinary approaches to species conservation, habitat preservation, and biodiversity enhancement are encouraged. Programs that directly contribute to species and habitat conservation including ex situ research, as well as rescue and rehabilitation of injured or ill animals will also be considered.

Submission Guidelines:

ZAA preferentially funds conservation projects for wild animal species, populations, habitats, and promotion of biodiversity that:
1. Are globally threatened or data deficient (taxa being evaluated and assessed by the IUCN red list (www.iucnredlist.org) in the categories: DD (data deficient), VU (vulnerable), EN (endangered), CR (critically endangered) or EW (extinct in the wild)
2. Are little known or not the major focus of any other conservation programs or conservation organizations.
Potentially eligible are specific conservation and research measures that directly contribute to the survival of a species-/subspecies-/population, preferably in its natural range. Also potentially eligible are programs of ex situ research and/or rescue that have direct implications for conservation of species in the wild.
The principal investigator must be associated with a recognized institution (accredited zoo, academic institution, conservation, or non-profit organization).
Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
Please submit your application in English.
Grant requests may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
All applicants MUST submit their 1–2-page Curriculum Vitae. Other documents relevant to the proposal may also be included, such as an endorsement letter from a range country, maps, relevant publications, program and/or study objectives and timelines.

Proposals should be eight (8) pages or fewer, excluding literature citations and appendices.

Proposals will be accepted from January 2, 2026 - April 15, 2026. ZAA will acknowledge receipt of your application, within two weeks of receipt*. Decisions will be made by June 15, 2026, and funding will become available by June 30, 2026.

Please keep a copy of your application for your records. In the process of adjudication, we may ask the applicant for further information. If funded, we may ask you to provide specific information from the completed application as proof that funds will be sent to the correct party.

Applicants will be contacted after June 15, 2026, regarding the selection of the projects.

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

Email of Primary Contact: *

First Name of Primary Contact: *

Last Name of Primary Contact: *

Title of primary contact (ex. Dr., Professor, Mr., Ms., Mrs., Mx.): *

Name of NGO: *

Name of Project: *

Location of Project: *

If applicable, please list the name (formatted Title First Last) and email of each of the other primary researchers involved in the project:

Grant request (US $1,000 - $5,000): *

Outline of the project

Upload your proposal here, or complete the questions below. *

Proposals should be eight (8) pages or fewer, excluding literature citations and appendices. If you upload a proposal, type N/A in the questions below.

Concise project summary (100-250 words). Include the conservation problem, proposed solution, expected outcomes, and how ZAA funding will contribute to impact. *

Overview of the project: *

Is the project new or ongoing? If ongoing, when was the project established and what major accomplishments have been made? If an on-going project then describe how this phase builds upon previous work and the long-term sustainability plan beyond the ZAA funding period. Briefly describe the conservation issue(s).

If appropriate, outline work completed to date:

Study objectives and projected outcomes: *

Describe the methods for each objective. How will you evaluate the success of the project? How will you measure the conservation impact of the project?

Map of the study range: *

Provide a detailed timeline: *

Include start date, major milestones, and projected completion date.

Does the project provide any benefits to local communities including any educational aspects? If so then describe how the project engages and benefits local or Indigenous communities, including employment, training, education, or revenue generation. *

List other key stakeholders or organizations that you are working with in your project area: *

Provide 5-7 pictures that can be used to advertise your project if you are selected as a winner: *

Funding

Aspects of the projects that will be funded by this grant: *

Provide a detailed budget for the entire project: *

Include a table with a column specifically for funds requested from the ZAA. Provide justification, when necessary, especially for the largest expenses. Provide as much breakdown of costs as possible on budget line items (for example: Salaries, materials, workshop costs). List other sources of funding or in-kind support.

Describe your funding strategy and any pending proposals: *

Identify how project scope or deliverables will be adjusted if full funding is not secured through the ZAA Conservation Initiative Grant.

If full funding is not secured, explain how the project will adapt or proceed with limited resources: *

Endorsement letter(s) for the project: *

Preferably from a representative knowledgeable about the project from the range country of the project.

One-to-two page Curriculum Vitae for each of the primary researchers involved with the project: *

Relevant publications *

Include up to three publications, reports, or other materials directly relevant to this proposal (e.g., peer-reviewed papers, conference abstracts).

The project agrees that:

The project will submit a semi-annual progress report six to eight months after receiving the grant. This report should include high-resolution images illustrating the project. *

Yes

The project will submit an annual or final report within six months after the grant period ends. If this is a multi-donor provided project you may request an extension to one year for a final report. This report must be specific to the purpose for which the Conservation Initiatives Grant Fund was awarded, address the objectives identified within the project application, and include accounting for the grant funds provided by ZAA. *

Yes

If the project does not commence within one year of the ZAA Conservation Initiatives Grant dispersal, I understand that the funds may be requested to be returned to ZAA. *

Yes

The project agrees that their reports (annual reports, status reports, any other documents, e.g. photos, multimedia, etc.) can be used unrestricted for publication in the ZAA Magazine and ZAA website or other media – except for information clearly marked as ‘confidential’. *

Yes

The project will acknowledge Zoological Association of America’s support in any publication and in any public media presentation of the funded project. ZAA provides its logo for that purpose. *

Yes

I agree to the Terms & Conditions