SOPHIE DANFORTH CONSERVATION BIOLOGY FUND

The Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund (SDCBF), established by the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Rhode Island Zoological Society in 1989, supports conservation programs that protect threatened wildlife and habitats worldwide.

Field studies and other projects that demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation and projects that involve in-country collaborators receive the highest funding priority. Environmental education programs, development of techniques that can be used in a natural environment, and captive propagation programs that stress an integrative approach to conservation are also appropriate. Projects must directly affect biological conservation.

In the spirit of Year of the Frog, we will expand the Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund and offer an additional $5,000 grant.  This new grant will be awarded only for an innovative amphibian conservation project happening either in North, Central, or South America.  To apply for the new grant focused on amphibian conservation follow the application steps below.  

APPLICATION PROCESS

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be associated with an organization (e.g. NGO, university, etc.) through which s/he can receive funding. Funding checks are provided to organizations, not individuals. There are no eligibility restrictions on the nationality of the applicant.

Projects that have been funded by the SDCBF are eligible for a second year of funding. A second application must be submitted according to the application guidelines, along with a progress report from the first year of SDCBF funding.

MAXIMUM TOTAL PROPOSAL LENGTH: One title page, three-page proposal narrative, two-page Curriculum Vitae, two letters of recommendation.

ANY PROPOSALS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

TITLE PAGE
Include applicant's name, institutional affiliation, address, job title, degree being sought or highest degree obtained, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, total budget, and amount requested from SDCBF (maximum annual request is $1,000).

Also on your title page include the title of your project and a 100-word ABSTRACT of the proposed project, stating the purpose, methods, and significance of the project to the field of conservation biology.

PROPOSAL NARRATIVE
Maximum of three pages with 10-point type minimum and must include:

INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT explaining the rationale for the project, specific conservation goals and objectives, and hypotheses to be tested. Clearly describe the applied conservation goals.

METHODS/PLAN OF ACTION describing data collection methods, sample size, and detailed timetable including project's completion date and dissemination plan.

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN detailing how the project results will be used in conservation action or policy.

PROCESS OF EVALUATING THE PROJECT'S OUTCOME explaining how the project's impact(s) on conservation will be assessed.

DETAILED BUDGET for the project. Include a budget justification with a description of how the SDCBF grant money will be used. List amount and sources of additional support, pending or received.

REFERENCES (Optional)

Literature cited in the proposal narrative may be listed on a separate page.

CURRICULUM VITAE
The applicant must include a Curriculum Vitae, two page maximum.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Letters from two different individuals familiar with the applicant and the proposal must be submitted.

DATES
June 1, 2008: All components of the application (narrative, CV, and letters of recommendation) must be received. Components that arrive after this date will not be accepted, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
September 1, 2008: Grants awarded. No funds will be provided before September 2007.
September 1, 2009: Progress report due - must include an update on the status of the project and budgetary expenditures.

SEND YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION BY POSTAL MAIL OR FAX* TO:

SOPHIE DANFORTH CONSERVATION BIOLOGY FUND
ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO
1000 ELMWOOD AVE.
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02907
USA

FAX: (401) 941-3988


*If you fax your application, you must also send a hard copy through the mail.