ZAA Conservation Initiatives Grants

The Zoological Association of America (ZAA) administers the Conservation Initiatives Grants program, an annual opportunity that supports applied conservation research, habitat preservation, and biodiversity initiatives around the globe. With a focus on projects that promote field-based and interdisciplinary conservation efforts, these grants reflect ZAA’s commitment to safeguarding endangered and threatened species, both in their native ranges and through managed care. The program awards up to $5,000 per project and encourages proposals from individuals affiliated with accredited zoos, academic institutions, conservation organizations, and registered nonprofits. Funding is primarily allocated to work addressing in situ and ex situ conservation goals, including rescue and rehabilitation of injured or ill animals, species reintroduction efforts, and conservation education. ZAA prioritizes projects that focus on lesser-known species and those not already receiving broad conservation attention. Priority is given to species listed as Data Deficient, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN Red List. Eligible activities may include mapping and monitoring of critical habitats, anti-poaching efforts, awareness campaigns, conflict mitigation between wildlife and human populations, and sustainable community-led conservation models. The 2026 application window opens January 2 and closes April 15, with decisions announced by June 15 and funding disbursed by June 30. Proposals must be submitted in English and adhere to the required format. The submission package must include an eight-page proposal (excluding citations and appendices), a 1–2-page Curriculum Vitae for the principal investigator, and any relevant supporting documents, such as letters of endorsement, maps, or data. Only electronic submissions are accepted. Projects must clearly demonstrate conservation value, defined objectives, and a plan for how the grant funds will contribute to broader conservation goals. Successful proposals from 2025 included habitat mapping for the white-bellied pangolin in Benin, anti-predator conflict strategies in the Brazilian Pantanal, and amphibian conservation in Ecuador. Grant evaluation considers the alignment with ZAA’s mission, the scientific and conservation merit of the project, feasibility, and the qualifications of the applicant. ZAA maintains a transparent adjudication process and acknowledges receipt of applications within two weeks. Awardees are expected to provide detailed follow-up information and evidence of appropriate use of funds. While the ZAA Conservation Initiatives Grants are distinct from the ZAA Global Conservation Fund, both programs complement one another in supporting species represented in ZAA's animal collections and wider conservation priorities. ZAA members are also engaged in managed propagation programs through its Animal Management Program (AMP), designed to maintain genetic diversity across species populations. The Conservation Initiatives Grants play a critical role in extending this conservation impact to global field efforts, bridging the gap between institutional care and natural habitat preservation. For further inquiries, applicants can contact ZAA at [email protected]. Full application instructions, including submission details, are outlined on ZAA’s website and referenced in its conservation materials.

Target lesser-known threatened species; provide strong field data and clear conservation linkages.