Guidelines for Proposals

Wildlife Trust is a conservation science organization that empowers local conservation scientists worldwide to protect nature and safeguard ecosystem and human health. With over 30 years of international experience, Wildlife Trust has built a network of outstanding conservation leaders in 20 countries; helped to establish the field of conservation medicine; and trained hundreds of scientists and conservation leaders. We couple innovation in science with exemplary professional training and mentoring of conservation scientists worldwide. We do not engage in adversarial politics or advocacy for a single viewpoint. Our reputation also is built on our proven ability to develop positive, productive, and respectful relationships based on sharing scientific results with local communities. Headquartered in New York, New York, Wildlife Trust has worked mostly in those parts of the developing world where rapidly growing human populations are placing wildlife species at risk, and where professional capacity for conservation activity is limited. Since 2002, however, we have also been working on a new series of projects in the U.S. (Metropolitan New York City, Florida, and California).

Wildlife Trust's Biodiversity, Ecology and Health Fund (BEHF) supports projects that with a modest level of funding can make an impact on protecting nature or safeguarding ecological health. Typical projects have budgets of less than $10,000 U.S. and can be completed in one to two years; the average award amount is around $5,000, with a higher level reserved only for truly outstanding projects.   BEHF projects normally focus on research aimed at improving wildlife conservation science, conservation medicine, natural resources management, or public environmental policies by local scientists working full-time in the country in which the project takes place.   Wildlife Trust's BEHF Program does not fund: 1) administrative overhead or unrestricted operating support; 2) salaries (daily field expenses are funded); 3) tuition; and 4) attendance at conferences.

The geographic range of the program is not restricted, but preference is given to projects in geographic regions and countries where Wildlife Trust works currently, or seeks to expand its efforts in the near future:

• North America : United States, Mexico
• Central America/Caribbean : Belize, Guatemala
• South America : Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela
• Africa : Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania
• Asia : India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka

Each year, one BEHF grant application focused on marine conservation will be selected as the Heroes of the Sea Award, which honors the memories of Emily Argo, Jackie Ciano, Michael Newcomer and Jim Hinds, whose plane disappeared off the coast of Florida during a North Atlantic Right Whale survey on January 26, 2003. This award serves as a tribute to their passionate commitment to protecting endangered whales, manatees, and other creatures of the sea. Please note in the box on the abstract form if you wish to be considered for the Heroes of the Sea Award.

Application Procedures

Grants from our Biodiversity, Ecology and Health Fund are awarded once each year after a three-step process:

• Preliminary selections based on evaluation of a project abstract.

Applicants are invited to submit project abstracts by completing the attached "Project Abstract" by November 15th. Each applicant is limited to one proposal per year. These abstracts are reviewed and evaluated by Wildlife Trust staff and Board members.

• Request for a full proposal.

Based on a review of the abstracts, a subset of applicants will be selected for a full proposal consideration. After notification, the selected applicants will have until February 15th to submit a proposal based on the attached "Full Proposal Outline." Proposal length is a maximum of six single-spaced pages with one-inch margins, and attached supplemental documents. Wildlife Trust places great importance on the human treatment of animals. Thus, in addition to a proposal, an "Animal Care and Use" form will need to be submitted to Wildlife Trust's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for review.

• Project selection and award notification.

Full proposals will be evaluated, and all remaining applicants notified of the final results by early June. Proposals are subject to review by Wildlife Trust staff, Board members, and selected, independent, confidential reviewers. All awards must be approved by the Wildlife Trust Board of Directors. Funds for the selected projects will be made available after July 1.

General Instructions

• Care should be taken to follow the Project Abstract and Project Proposal Outline. Please limit your Project Abstract to one page only.
• A copy of the Project Abstract must be received by November 15th via mail, email, or fax at Wildlife Trust's New York Office. E-mail is the preferable method of submission.

Email:   banks@wildlifetrust.org
FAX:    +1 212 380 4475
Post:    Christine Banks, Program Coordinator for Conservation Medicine
              Wildlife Trust, 460 W. 34 th Street, 17 th Floor, New York, NY 10001 USA

• If a full proposal is requested, one copy must be received by mail, fax or e-mail no later than February 15 th at Wildlife Trust's New York Office (see address above).
• Applicants should keep in mind that funding for successful abstracts does not begin until the following fiscal year. Wildlife Trust operates on a fiscal year of July 1 to June 30. In this year's case, BEHF grants will be awarded July 1, 2006. Projects should be designed to match this fiscal year calendar, as closely as possible.
• General questions about the Biodiversity, Ecology and Health Fund should be directed to Christine Banks, Program Coordinator for Conservation Medicine, via email at banks@wildlifetrust.org or by writing to Wildlife Trust's New York office. General information about Wildlife Trust is available at www.wildlifetrust.org.
  

WILDLIFE TRUST
Biodiversity, Ecology and Health Fund 2006-2007 - Project Abstract
(Deadline November 15th)

Heroes of the Sea?   YES or NO

Title of Project:   ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Investigator(s): _______________________________________________________________________________

Start-Finish Dates: ____________________

Institution(s):    ________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Principal Investigator's Contact Information:

Email: ______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________

                ____________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: __________________________________                 Fax: _______________________________________

Total Budget: $ _____________________________       Amount Requested from Wildlife Trust: $_________________

Other Sources of Support and Amounts (Pending and Confirmed).

Two Character References (familiar with your project); including address, telephone, and email:

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Summary - Objectives, Methods, Significance to Species Conservation (use only space below):

Return to:
Christine Banks
Program Coordinator for Conservation Medicine
Wildlife Trust
460 W. 34 th Street, 17 th Floor, New York, NY 10001

WILDLIFE TRUST

Biodiversity, Ecology and Health Fund 2006-2007 - Invited Full Proposal Outline
(Deadline: February 15)

I.        Title Page and Project Abstract

The cover page should consist of all information requested on the Project Abstract, including the summary.   

II.       Introduction

• Background. Information on the species, habitat area, and relevant research to date on this topic.
• Description of the project. Rationale for the project, purpose, objectives, and conservation significance.

III.      Materials and Methods

• General description of methodology.
• Summarize the relevant expertise and experience of the project investigators.

IV.     Anticipated Outcomes and Conservation Significance

• What outcomes and products will the project produce?
• What is the likely scientific and/or conservation significance of the work?
• Criteria for evaluating success of the project.

V.     Budget

• Budget Table with columns for Item Description, Wildlife Trust Request, Matching Funds (if any), and Total.
• Justification of major items and any explanations for unusual requests.

VI.     Literature Cited

VII.    Attachments

• Wildlife Trust Animal Care and Use Protocol Form
• Curriculum vitae or resume of principal investigator(s).
• Copies of all research permits needed to conduct the project.