Science

Small grants programmes
Home > Our work > Science > International research > Small grants programmes > Africa Small Grants Programme

Africa Small Grants Programme

Researchers at work in Africa

Every year, the RSPB sets aside a fund that is available for research and conservation work connected with African birds.

Grants awarded are typically between £500 and £1,000. Small Grants may be complete funding or a contribution to a larger project, and are made to organisations, and occasionally to individuals, particularly those that are African-based.

We aim to fund projects in Africa outside the countries in which we regularly work (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone). We do not fund UK-based University expeditions. 

Addressing conservation priorities

There are thousands of conservation tasks to be undertaken in Africa, involving site protection and management, research, education and awareness raising, building organisations, and other activities. RSPB Small Grants can only assist a few each year, but aim to achieve maximum effect by funding proposals, which:

  • are focused on bird species or habitats of global conservation concern
  • have clear objectives and practical conservation benefits
  • are able to make effective use of the limited funds available         

Recent examples of successful grants include:

  • a study of the status and ecology of the Congo peacock in DRC
  • a survey of the birds of Quirimbas National Park, Mozambique
  • a programme of training in bird survey techniques in Rwanda
  • the development of an action plan for the blue swallow in Zambia         

Applications and approval

The Small Grants fund is renewed annually in April and proposals are considered at any time. Proposals are circulated for comment within the Global Country Programmes Unit of the RSPB and the Africa Division of the BirdLife Secretariat. This process takes about a month. Recipients are asked to sign a short contract confirming the use to which the funds are to be put, and agreeing the implementation and reporting schedule.

Requirements for Applications

Applications should be a maximum of four sides of A4 paper, and may be submitted in English or French. If possible, they should be sent by email and should contain:

  • project title, country and area of implementation
  • details of the applicant, including name of the responsible individual, address, fax number and email address
  • the objective of the project
  • the justification for the project: why is it needed and what conservation priorities will it help to address?
  • the timing and duration of the project
  • the methods to be used by the project
  • the outputs (for example reports, conservation activities) that are expected and the time when they are expected.
  • for research projects, the expected conservation results or the links to organisations or other projects which will use the results of the study for conservation action
  • approval from government and other authorities if necessary
  • a budget, showing clearly the contribution requested from RSPB, if this is not the total amount. The conversion rate to UK pounds or US dollars should be shown if local currency values are used.  

Proposals for Small Grants funding should be sent to the address below.

Contact

Chris Magin

International Officer (Africa)

Tel: 01767 680551

E-mail: chris.magin@rspb.org.uk

Last modified: 26 June 2006