Through the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund, we provide financial and technical support to projects that deliver measurable conservation results for African and Asian rhinoceros, and tiger populations in Asia. Pursuing an evidence-based approach, we publish strategic geographical and thematic priorities and application guidelines in a Notice of Funding Opportunity. All proposals go through a rigorous and competitive evaluation process. Once project support is confirmed, we engage in a partnership with the grantee, providing technical support as needed, communicating on a regular basis, and playing an active role in monitoring and evaluating the project's success. This helps ensure that our limited funding is effective and enables us to improve the impact of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund through adaptive management.
Background
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The International Affairs Program delivers on this mission through its financial assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world. In response to the decline of rhinoceros populations in Africa and Asia, and tiger populations in Asia, the U.S. Government enacted the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act in 1994. The Act provides for the conservation and protection of rhinoceros and tigers by supporting conservation programs in countries within their ranges and the projects of persons and organizations with demonstrated expertise in rhinoceros or tiger conservation. We work closely with national governments, U.S. agencies, and a range of other partners to ensure a strategic, results-based approach to rhinoceros and tiger conservation in Africa and Asia.
Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund Requirements
Africa
In Africa, the Service prioritizes site-based conservation of populations of critically endangered rhinoceros species that are classified as Key 1, Key 2, and Other Populations by the IUCN African Rhinoceros Specialist Group. Funding decisions consider the significance of the particular population to the survival of the species.
Priority projects work within rhinoceros range, or if outside of the range, demonstrate clear relevance to rhinoceros field conservation actions. Projects must identify immediate threats to rhinoceros survival and support direct conservation activities to eliminate or reduce those threats. Biological management of rhinoceros populations is considered. Proposed projects should also demonstrate how they address regional and/or national rhinoceros management plans.
This funding opportunity supports multi-year awards for organizations supporting field conservation at one or more sites of Key 1, Key 2 and important populations. Awards range in three- to five-years of duration with a range of $50,000 to $100,000 USD/per year for each site. If an organization plans to submit for multiple sites, they are encouraged to include them in one proposal.
Asia
The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund supports projects that promote conservation through:
Support of protected area/reserve management and law enforcement in important rhinoceros and tiger ranges;
Enhanced protection of the most at-risk rhinoceros and tiger populations;
Habitat conservation, restoration, and management;
Strengthening local capacity and enhancing community engagement to implement conservation programs that enhance conservation stewardship;
Efforts to decrease human-rhinoceros and human-tiger conflicts;
Applied research on rhinoceros and tiger populations and their habitats, including surveys and monitoring;
Compliance with applicable treaties (such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora [CITES]) and laws that regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceroses and tigers or regulate the use and management of their habitat;
Reducing demand for illegal rhinoceros and tiger parts, products, and live animals in consumer countries;
Combating trafficking of rhinoceros and tiger parts, products, and live animals;
Reintroduction of rhinoceros to former ranges; and,
Trans-frontier tiger conservation.
Proposed project work should occur within the rhinoceros or tiger range or, if work is to be conducted outside of the range, the proposal should show clear relevance to rhinoceros or tiger conservation. If the project includes research, the applicant must provide a convincing argument that the research addresses priority threats and that the results are likely to inform management actions.
Eligibility
Applicants can be individuals; multi-national secretariats; foreign national and local government agencies; non-profit, non-governmental organizations; for-profit organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; U.S. territorial governments; and Tribes and Tribal organizations.
Process
States and Territories must submit applications through Grantsolutions.gov. Detailed guidance on how to prepare applications is provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which is available online at Grants.gov and Grantsolutions.gov. The NOFO should be read carefully to ensure that applications meet all eligibility requirements and are complete upon submission.