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Fund for nature conservation projects in emerging or developing economy countries

31/12/2026

Deadline: [always open]

The Rufford Foundation is funding nature conservation projects focusing in emerging or developing economy countries. The project must have a nature conservation focus and if the target is a species, it must be considered threatened. Grants range from £7,000 to £18,000 according to the maturity stage of the research.

Types of Grants

The funding process is staged, with four levels of support:

  • 1st Rufford Small Grant (up to £7,000).
  • 2nd Rufford Small Grant (up to £8,000).
  • Booster Grant (up to £12,000)
  • Completion Grant (up to £18,000)

Eligibility

  • Candidates should be in the early stages of your conservation career (MSc or PhD students or those who have graduated from such studies in the past 3 years).  
  • The project must have a nature conservation basis and be working in an eligible country.
  • Projects can focus on particular species, threatened habitats or issues like human-wildlife conflict or community education. For projects focusing on species, the Foundation considers work on any NOT listed as Least Concern at a global level in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It also considers species that do not appear on the list because they have not been assessed but are thought to be globally threatened.

The following types of projects will NOT be eligible for support.

  • Pure research with no obvious conservation benefit;
  • Expeditions, particularly where the applicant must raise funds in order to participate;
  • Attending conferences or seminars;
  • Publishing books.

Funding

The Foundation does not fund salaries but will consider costs relating to subsistence, travel and accommodation as the candidate deliver the project (e.g., field and living costs). It also considers essential payments to individuals (e.g., drivers, porters or guides) who might assist with your project.

Given the nature and size of the grants, the Foundation may accept a management fee/overhead of up to 10% of the overall value of the grant.

Rufford Foundation supports small-scale or pilot projects. Ideally, it should provide between 50 and 100% of the costs of the project. Where the Foundation is not the only funder, evidence of co-funding is required.

Duration

Most projects last for 12-18 months. You can only apply for funding once in any 12-month period.

Applications and further information here.