The Africa Seed Grants Program

With generous support from the Cleveland Zoological Society, the Africa Seed Grants Program provides funds to support conservation and research projects in Africa.

Annual awards ranging from $1000 - $3500 will be made to conservation and research initiatives involving animals and their habitat, and educational or cultural activities that involve or impact animals and their habitat.

Ideal projects will have clear, long-term conservation implications, positively impact local people and create opportunities for capacity building in country.

Projects focusing on bushmeat, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, and investigating human-wildlife disease issues are of special interest to the Zoo, and projects specifically dealing with these issues are strongly encouraged to apply.

Proposals requesting funds may include projects in the field or in captivity and funding is provided to projects that are consistent with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's mission To improve the future for wildlife.

Criteria for Funding:

  • Requests for funds should provide adequate information for evaluation of the project and the specific request, including a detailed experimental design and methodology.
  • Projects that designate local/public education/awareness as a significant program outcome must include an evaluation component.
  • Projects should begin in the year that they are applying for funding, (but not before funds are to be awarded) and contain a clearly defined beginning and end point.
  • Funds will not be awarded for elements of a project that will have already occurred before awards are made.
  • Although exceptions can be made, ongoing costs such as salaries of permanent staff and other administrative costs are generally not considered.
  • Funds to cover contingencies or indirect costs are not granted.
  • Partial funding of a project may be considered if a particular component of the project can be supported and completed independently, or if it is made clear that additional funding has been obtained or is being sought from other sources to cover remaining costs.
  • Proposals requesting more than the maximum amount of funds allowed for the specific grant program will not be accepted.
  • Subsequent phases of previously funded projects may be submitted.
  • Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is not required to be a collaborator for a project to be eligible for funding.
  • Highly invasive, terminal research projects or projects that collect/voucher specimens will not be considered for funding.

    Deadline: 18th September

    For more information and application, visit: The Africa Seed Grants Program Website