Feasibility Awards

Rainforest Trust offers Feasibility Awards to help conservation organizations assess the viability of creating or expanding protected or conserved areas in tropical and subtropical regions. These grants are designed to bridge key information gaps and strengthen a project's case for future support. Since its founding in 1988, Rainforest Trust has provided over $382 million to around 323 partners, supporting more than 400 protected and conserved areas totaling nearly 59 million acres. The Feasibility Awards represent the organization’s commitment to rigorous, evidence-based conservation planning, and are often a precursor to applying for larger Protected or Conserved Area Creation Awards. The Feasibility Awards focus on early-stage project development. They may fund activities such as determining legal pathways to protection, conducting field surveys to verify the presence of critically endangered or endangered species, or validating ecological value in unprotected areas. These awards typically average $10,000, though requests exceeding $20,000 may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Funding is intended to address specific gaps in data or project design that are essential to confirming a project's eligibility and readiness for Rainforest Trust's larger implementation grants. Eligible applicants include legally registered non-governmental organizations authorized to operate in the country where the proposed project is located. All projects must focus on unprotected areas and aim to establish a formal mechanism for protection that mitigates critical threats to biodiversity and carbon storage. Applicants must demonstrate support from local or national governments, Indigenous Peoples, or local communities, and commit to conducting Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes where required. A clear plan for establishing a management system and long-term sustainability is expected. There is no fixed deadline for Feasibility Awards; applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applicants should begin by submitting a concept note through Rainforest Trust’s online form. If the concept is aligned with the organization's criteria and mission, the applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal through the online portal. This process is collaborative and designed to help strengthen the project during development. The application must clearly demonstrate how the proposed work supports the creation or expansion of a protected or conserved area, particularly in high-priority ecosystems that contribute to species protection, climate mitigation, and long-term community benefit. While fixed-rate overhead costs and long-term monitoring are not eligible for funding, direct costs that support early project research, stakeholder engagement, and legal groundwork are allowed. Applicants with questions or those seeking clarification are encouraged to contact Rainforest Trust directly at projects@rainforesttrust.org. Awards are issued throughout the year, and applicants may receive funding promptly after approval. These grants represent the Trust’s front-line investment in expanding global conservation, supporting partners who are working to safeguard critical ecosystems before they are lost.

Proposals must directly address gaps in project feasibility such as legal frameworks or species presence validation.