Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Grant 2026
By Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
Global grant program supporting individual species conservation initiatives with up to US$25,000 (approx. ₹23.75 lakh) per project.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹23.8 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Grant
- Application deadline
- 4d — 16 Oct 2026
- Location
- International
About this grant
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZF), an affiliate of Erth Zayed in Abu Dhabi, UAE, provides targeted grants for individual species conservation initiatives globally. The fund aims to recognize leaders in the field and highlight the importance of species within the broader conservation debate. It supports a wide range of conservation efforts for plants, animals, and fungi, without regional or species-based discrimination. The grants are specifically for project-related costs, prioritizing projects focused on Endangered, Critically Endangered, Data Deficient, or highly threatened unlisted species, as per IUCN Red List criteria. Ineligible costs include core running costs or administrative overheads of an organisation.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹23.8 Lakhs
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund provides grants of up to US$25,000 (approximately ₹23.75 lakh) per project. This funding supports various essential activities including in-situ fieldwork such as surveys, data gathering, direct action, recovery management, and training. It also covers project-related salaries, stipends, per diems, and living costs. Occasionally, support is provided for ex-situ work like genetic analysis and workshops. The fund explicitly supports continuation of previously funded projects upon successful reporting.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The Fund forwards its recommendations to an independent Advisory Board for review. The board then makes the final decision on grant awards. Specific criteria are applied as outlined in the application guidelines.
Application Process
- 1
Submit Application
Applicants submit their proposal, budget, and supporting documents online in English and US Dollars by the deadline.
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.
Program templates & documents
Files the program publishes for applicants — download these and apply in the prescribed format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum grant size?
The maximum grant size is US$25,000 per project; applications requesting more will be rejected. Larger grants are occasionally considered at the invitation of the board.
Who can apply?
Anyone directly involved in species conservation can apply to the Fund for a grant.
What are the funding rounds and deadlines?
Applications are accepted in January, May, and September/October. The current round deadline is by midnight GMT 15th October 2026.
What costs are eligible?
Eligible costs include in situ fieldwork (surveys, data gathering, direct action, recovery management, training), project-related salaries, stipends, per diems, living costs, and occasionally ex situ work (genetic analysis, workshops).
What costs are ineligible?
Core running costs or administrative overheads of an organisation are ineligible.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.










