Conservation, Food & Health Grants
By Conservation, Food & Health Foundation
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Quick Answer
Seed grants, mostly US$25,000–50,000 a year (about ₹23.75–47.5 lakh), for NGOs, universities and research groups on conservation, food or health. Concept window closes 22 December 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Application deadline
- 45d — 22 Dec 2026
- Location
- International
About this grant
The Conservation, Food & Health Foundation is a US-based foundation, administered from Boston, that gives project grants to organisations working on conservation, food production and public health in lower-income regions of the world. Most grants are expected to be US$25,000–50,000 a year (about ₹23.75 lakh to ₹47.5 lakh), and the current window for the short first-round application closes on 22 December 2026 (end of day in India on that date). It is for registered non-profits, universities and research centres, not for businesses or individuals.
What the program offers
There is no minimum or maximum grant size, but the foundation expects most awards to fall between US$25,000 and US$50,000 per year (about ₹23.75 lakh to ₹47.5 lakh), for one or two years. Second-year money depends on a satisfactory progress report, an interim financial report and a work plan. A project that was not approved as multi-year and wants more funding has to send a new application.
The foundation describes its money as seed money. It likes to back new ideas, local leadership and promising organisations that can build a track record for bigger funders later, and it prefers under-funded issues and places. It pays for applied research, pilot projects, new initiatives, training and technical assistance. Its three areas are conservation (biodiversity, natural resources, climate change mitigation, and the scientific and technical strength of local conservation groups), food and agriculture (sustainable farming, small-scale farmers, farmer research, affordable pest and disease control, indigenous food knowledge) and health (reproductive health and family planning, mental and behavioural health, pollution and environmental health, zoonotic and neglected tropical diseases, and nutrition). In health it favours community-level prevention and stronger health systems over clinic or hospital care.
The foundation does not usually fund overheads or indirect costs, general operating support, direct food, health or humanitarian aid, eco-tourism, buildings, projects for private gain (any intellectual property must be public), or expenses incurred before the grant is awarded.
Who can apply
Applicants must show non-governmental status or a charitable purpose. That covers NGOs, non-profits, civil society and community-based organisations, and colleges, universities and academic institutions. Local, state and regional organisations in the target regions can apply, as can organisations from upper-income countries that work with local partners there. Government agencies and religious organisations may be partners but cannot receive money directly. Projects in post-Soviet or Balkan states are not eligible.
For India, the target regions include Asia, so an Indian NGO, university or research centre with a project in India can apply. The listing also notes that businesses, social enterprises without charitable status, individuals and unaffiliated researchers are not eligible. A for-profit startup should not apply. A practical tip: if your organisation is young, read the foundation's guidelines for any minimum age before you spend time on an application.
How to apply
Applications run through an online grants portal in two phases. First you send a short concept application inside an open window: 15 October to 22 December, or 1 May to 15 June. Create an account on the portal (organisations outside the US enter the placeholder Tax ID the foundation publishes for non-US applicants), click APPLY, and enter the access code shown on the foundation's How to Apply page. A sample of the concept questions is available as a PDF all year round, so you can prepare early. Send only one application per review cycle. The foundation's home page also says it will consider only one proposal from an organisation in any calendar year, so check with the foundation before applying in both windows.
If you are invited, you then submit a full proposal by 15 February (for the autumn window) or 15 August (for the spring window).
How applications are judged and what happens next
The foundation tells concept applicants within about a month of the deadline whether they are invited to send a full proposal; invitations from the December window are issued around 15 January. Only a limited number of applicants are invited. Awards from this window are made around 1 July. Across all areas the foundation gives priority to projects that advance their field and build local capacity, can be copied elsewhere, influence public opinion and policy, aim for systems change, and benefit people beyond the immediate project.
About the Conservation, Food & Health Foundation
The foundation works to protect the environment, improve food production and promote public health in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean and Oceania. It makes awards twice a year, in spring and autumn, and is administered through GMA Foundations in Boston, Massachusetts. Past grantees include Indian organisations such as the Centre for Wildlife Studies in Bengaluru.
Things to check before you apply
- Plan the budget around direct project costs. The foundation says it does not usually pay overheads.
- Final reports are due within a year of the application or the start of the last funding year, whichever is later, and templates arrive with the grant letter.
- If a deadline falls on a weekend or US holiday it moves to the next business day, but do not rely on that; submit early.
- The source does not state an application fee.
Eligibility
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Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
There is no minimum or maximum grant size, but most grants are expected to be US$25,000–50,000 a year (about ₹23.75 lakh to ₹47.5 lakh). Grants run for one or two years; second-year money depends on a satisfactory progress report, interim financial report and work plan. Applicants are more competitive when they ask only for direct project costs.
- Disbursement
- Tranched
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The foundation reviews concept applications and tells applicants within about a month of the deadline whether they are invited to send a full proposal; only a limited number are invited. Priority goes to projects that advance their field, build local capacity, can be replicated, influence policy and benefit people beyond the project. Awards from the October–December window are made around 1 July.
Application Process
- 1
Concept application
Submit the short online concept application in an open window.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Conservation, Food & Health Foundation grants?
Organisations with non-governmental status or a charitable purpose can apply: NGOs, non-profits, community-based organisations, colleges, universities and research centres. Local organisations in the target regions qualify, as do organisations from upper-income countries working with local partners there. Government agencies and religious organisations can be partners but cannot receive the money directly.
Can Indian NGOs apply for Conservation, Food & Health Foundation grants?
Yes. Asia is one of the foundation's target regions, and Indian organisations such as the Centre for Wildlife Studies in Bengaluru have been funded. Your project should be in India or another eligible country. Businesses and individuals are not eligible.
How much funding does the Conservation, Food & Health Foundation give?
There is no fixed minimum or maximum. Most grants are expected to be US$25,000–50,000 a year (about ₹23.75 lakh to ₹47.5 lakh), for one or two years. Second-year funding needs a satisfactory progress report and work plan.
What does the foundation not fund?
It does not usually fund overhead or indirect costs, general operating support, direct food, health or humanitarian aid, eco-tourism, buildings or projects for private gain. It also does not pay expenses incurred before the grant is awarded. Applicants who request only direct costs are more competitive.
What is the deadline, and what if it has passed?
The current concept window closes on 22 December 2026. The foundation runs two windows a year, 15 October to 22 December and 1 May to 15 June, so if you miss one you can aim for the next. Dates may vary slightly each year, so check the foundation's site.
Is this a grant or equity?
It is a grant for a project, not an investment, and the source mentions no equity. Any intellectual property developed with the money should be made public. The foundation sees it as seed money to help you build a track record for later funders.
We do not have a US tax ID. How do we register on the portal?
The foundation says organisations outside the US should enter the placeholder Tax ID it publishes on its How to Apply page when creating an account. This lets you finish registration without a US number. The access code for the application is on the same page.
What do I need to prepare for the application?
First you send a short concept application on the online portal; a PDF preview of its questions is available all year. Only invited applicants then write a full proposal, due 15 February or 15 August. The source does not list other documents, so check the portal.
Do I have to travel or pay to apply?
The source mentions no travel requirement and no application fee. The application is made online through the grants portal. Check the portal and the grant letter for any conditions.
When will I hear whether I am invited, and when are grants awarded?
You are told within about a month of the concept deadline whether you are invited to send a full proposal, with invitations issued around 15 January. Full proposals for this window are due 15 February. Grants from the October–December window are awarded around 1 July.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
