Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Grant Program

The Orianne Society Small Grant Program is a targeted funding initiative designed to support herpetological research with direct conservation or management implications in the southeastern United States. The program is funded through the generous support of the Chandler Family Foundation and is administered by The Orianne Society, an organization headquartered in Tiger, Georgia, dedicated to the conservation of reptiles and amphibians and their habitats. This annual program offers at least three small grants of $2,500 each, typically awarded for projects with a one-year timeline. However, extensions are possible upon request. The funding is intended for university graduate students who are conducting field-based research projects within the realm of applied ecology, conservation, or species management. The geographic scope is restricted to the southeastern U.S., specifically the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Notably, the program excludes marine or captive animal projects and does not permit reapplication from previous award recipients. Applicants are expected to submit a single PDF file that contains several structured components. The required contents include a cover page with contact and institutional affiliation information, a project abstract limited to 250 words emphasizing the significance of the proposed work, and a detailed project proposal capped at 1,500 words. The proposal must address the statement of need, project description, timeline, and budget. While figures and maps may be included in the proposal, the literature cited section is excluded from the word count. A current CV, limited to two pages, is also required. All proposals must be formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins (except for the CV). Submissions should be emailed as a single PDF file titled in the format “OrianneGrantLastnameFirstInitial.pdf” to Houston Chandler, Director of Science at The Orianne Society, via hchandler@oriannesociety.org. The email subject line must include the words “Grant Proposal.” The application deadline is 5:00 pm EST on November 21, 2025. Award notifications will be made in late December. Funded applicants are required to submit a final report within one year of receiving funding. This deliverable should take the form of an article or blog post suitable for publication on The Orianne Society’s website. The final submission must include photos and may be featured on the organization’s social media platforms. Grantees are also encouraged to share media updates throughout their research. Additionally, projects benefiting from this funding must acknowledge The Orianne Society in any publications, reports, or presentations. Funds may only be used for direct research expenses and may not be applied toward overhead, indirect costs, or student stipends, although technician compensation is allowed. Funds will be disbursed directly to individuals rather than to academic institutions. Proposals will be reviewed by The Orianne Society scientists along with external partners, with selection criteria focused on the potential for meaningful conservation or management outcomes, scientific rigor, clarity of methodology, and feasibility of execution within the proposed timeframe.