Rainforest Trust Protected Area Grants
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Quick Answer
Rolling grants for registered local NGOs to create or expand protected and conserved areas in the tropics: feasibility awards average US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh). Concept notes any time.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Rainforest Trust
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- International
About this grant
Rainforest Trust is a US-based conservation charity that funds local organisations to plan, create or expand protected and conserved areas, mostly in the tropics and subtropics. Its Protected Area Grants include small Feasibility Awards averaging US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh) and larger Creation Awards with no set maximum. There is no single closing date: concept notes are accepted at any time, and the listing is open on a rolling basis. It is for legally registered non-governmental organisations authorised to work in the project country, not for startups, businesses or individuals.
What the program offers
There are two kinds of award. A Feasibility Award pays for a study that fills a specific information gap before a bigger project, for example working out the legal route to protecting a site or running field surveys for Critically Endangered or Endangered species. The average is about US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh), and amounts above US$20,000 are considered only in exceptional cases.
A Protected or Conserved Area Creation Award is the main award. It supports creating or expanding a protected or conserved area on land or sea, through formal designation, land titling for Indigenous or local communities, land purchase or another recognised method. The source sets no maximum, and each application is assessed individually. Rainforest Trust says that Feasibility Awards and Creation Awards under US$250,000 are funded on a rolling basis, while Creation Awards of US$250,000 or more have deadlines on 1 March, 1 July and 1 October, with funding usually about six months after the deadline.
The trust does not fund fixed-rate overhead (itemised costs are considered), long-term ecological monitoring or research, or large-scale habitat restoration such as tree planting.
Who can apply
The applicant must be a legally registered non-governmental organisation that is authorised to work in the country where the area is. The project's main aim must be to create or expand a protected or conserved area that is not already protected, and it should do at least one of three things: protect important populations of Critically Endangered or Endangered species, protect large tropical or subtropical high-integrity forests, or protect habitat that matters for climate, such as peat swamps, mangroves or high mountain grassland. You need demonstrated support from the relevant governments and from Indigenous Peoples or local communities, with free, prior and informed consent completed or planned. The project must change the legal status of the area, and a management plan, a management committee and limits on resource extraction must be in place or planned.
The focus is the tropics and subtropics, though strong proposals from elsewhere that meet every other criterion are considered. For an Indian applicant, this means a registered Indian NGO with a project in India or another eligible country can apply. It does not suit for-profit startups, individual researchers or projects that mainly do monitoring or tree planting.
How to apply
First confirm you meet the required criteria. Then send a concept note through the online form on the Rainforest Trust website. If the idea fits, a staff member contacts you and invites a detailed application on the online portal; staff can help with structure and language. For awards of US$250,000 or more, the trust advises sending the concept note about four months before the deadline you are aiming for. A practical tip: check whether your site is already listed as protected in the World Database of Protected Areas before you write, since the area must currently be unprotected.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Concept notes are reviewed within one to two months against the required criteria and a list of preferred ones. Preferred points include high levels of protection, sustainable financing plans, support for livelihoods, fair governance, and government backing. Projects led by Indigenous or local communities are looked at for things such as land title held by the community and community-led management. Smaller awards can be funded at any time once approved.
About Rainforest Trust
Rainforest Trust works with nonprofits, Indigenous Peoples and communities on three themes: species, climate and communities. Since 1988 it has awarded over US$441 million to about 368 partners, supporting the creation or expansion of more than 483 areas. It has a US entity and a UK charity.
Things to check before you apply
- You never need to pay a consultant or intermediary. The trust reviews only applications sent directly by eligible organisations.
- Land-purchase projects and marine protected areas have extra criteria, so read the full criteria page.
- The source does not state when a rolling award is paid or in what currency.
- The source does not say there is an application fee.
Eligibility
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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
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Feasibility Awards average US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh), and more than US$20,000 is considered only in exceptional cases. Protected or Conserved Area Creation Awards have no set maximum and are assessed one by one. Rainforest Trust also works with applicants to shape the project, and can add capacity-strengthening funds, such as community institution building, patrol training or livelihood support. Fixed-rate overheads are not funded, but itemised costs are considered.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Rainforest Trust reviews concept notes within one to two months against its required and preferred criteria. If the concept fits, a staff member invites a detailed application and can help with the project structure and wording. Feasibility Awards and smaller Creation Awards are funded on a rolling basis; larger Creation Awards are usually funded about six months after the deadline.
Application Process
- 1
Concept note
Submit a concept note through the online form.
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 Rainforest Trust protected area grants?
Legally registered non-government organisations that are authorised to work in the country of the proposed protected or conserved area. The trust supports nonprofits, Indigenous Peoples and communities. Businesses and individuals are not the intended applicants.
Can Indian NGOs apply for Rainforest Trust funding?
Yes, a registered Indian NGO authorised to work in India can apply for a project in India, as the focus is the tropics and subtropics. The project must meet all required criteria, including an unprotected site and support from governments and local communities. The source lists no country exclusions.
How much is a Rainforest Trust Feasibility Award?
The average Feasibility Award is about US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh). Amounts above US$20,000 are considered only in exceptional situations. Creation Awards have no set maximum and are assessed one by one.
Is there a deadline for Rainforest Trust grants?
Concept notes are accepted at any time. Feasibility Awards and Creation Awards under US$250,000 are funded on a rolling basis. Creation Awards of US$250,000 or more have deadlines on 1 March, 1 July and 1 October each year, so if one passes you can aim for the next.
Is a Rainforest Trust award a grant or equity?
The trust describes these as awards for conservation projects, and the source mentions no equity or repayment. Projects are funded to create or expand protected areas. The source does not give grant agreement terms, so read them when invited.
What do I need to send to apply?
You start with a concept note through the online form. If it fits, you are invited to submit a detailed application on the online portal, and staff can help with structure and language. The source does not list specific documents beyond that.
What does Rainforest Trust not fund?
It does not fund fixed-rate overhead costs, though itemised expenses are considered. It also does not fund long-term ecological monitoring or research, or large-scale habitat restoration such as tree planting.
Do I need a consultant to apply?
No. Applicants never need to pay a consultant or intermediary. Rainforest Trust reviews only applications submitted directly by eligible organisations and can help you shape a fitting proposal.
How long does it take to hear back?
Concept notes are reviewed within one to two months. Larger Creation Awards, with deadlines on 1 March, 1 July or 1 October, are usually funded about six months after the deadline. The source gives no fixed timeline for smaller rolling awards after approval.
Do I have to travel or pay a fee to apply?
The source mentions no travel requirement and no application fee. Applications are sent online. Questions can be put to the trust through the contact route on its application page.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
