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Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (F14AS00353) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund?

The Asian Elephant Conservation Fund is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant program created under the Asian Elephant Conservation Act (signed in 1997). It supports practical, on-the-ground conservation that improves the prospects of the endangered Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in the wild.

2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is intended to fund projects that directly improve the species' prospects in the wild. Emphasis is placed on work that is clearly tied to management needs, produces measurable conservation outcomes, and addresses real threats facing elephants and their habitats.

3) What kinds of projects are considered a good fit?

Projects are a good fit when they are practical and action-oriented, such as field-based conservation, protection and management actions, human-elephant conflict reduction, capacity building, and applied research that results in actionable recommendations for conservation managers.

4) Is research eligible, or is the fund only for direct field interventions?

Applied research is eligible when it is designed to inform management and produce actionable recommendations rather than purely academic results. Examples include population surveys, habitat surveys, monitoring, and other field studies that support decision-making and on-the-ground action.

5) What types of threats or issues does the program prioritize?

The program prioritizes addressing real threats to Asian elephants and their habitats, including illegal killing, trade and demand for ivory and other elephant parts, removal of wild elephants from their habitats, habitat degradation, and other emerging issues such as disease and climate change when linked to concrete management actions.

6) Does the program support anti-poaching and illegal trade prevention efforts?

Yes. The program prioritizes efforts that prevent illegal killing and reduce pressure on wild populations. It also supports work aimed at reducing demand in consumer markets and limiting removal of wild elephants from their natural habitats.

7) Can projects focused on demand reduction or trade in consumer or transit countries be funded?

Yes. While projects are expected to occur within the Asian elephant range, work outside the range can be funded if the proposal clearly demonstrates strong relevance to Asian elephant conservation, such as demand-reduction initiatives or trade-focused activities in consumer or transit countries.

8) Does the fund support work on conservation management plans?

Yes. The program supports strengthening and implementing elephant conservation management plans, including actions that improve compliance with treaties and national laws governing elephant take, trade, and habitat use.

9) Are protected area and habitat management activities eligible?

Yes. Eligible activities include habitat conservation and management, enhanced protection for at-risk populations, and improved protected area or reserve management in key elephant landscapes.

10) Is human-elephant conflict mitigation an eligible and encouraged activity?

Yes. Projects that reduce human-elephant conflict are explicitly encouraged. The program recognizes that crop damage, property loss, and threats to human safety can drive retaliation and reduce community tolerance, so coexistence measures are a major focus.

11) Are education and community outreach activities supported?

Yes. The fund supports conservation education and community outreach, as well as initiatives that strengthen local capacity to implement conservation programs.

12) What does "capacity building" mean in the context of this program?

Capacity building refers to strengthening local ability to implement effective elephant conservation, including trained local partners, effective institutions, and sustained community engagement that supports long-term conservation success.

13) Can the grant support cross-border (transfrontier) conservation efforts?

Yes. The program supports transfrontier (cross-border) conservation efforts as part of strengthening the broader enabling environment for elephant conservation.

14) Are law enforcement, wildlife inspection, and forensics activities eligible?

Yes. The opportunity supports strengthening wildlife inspection as well as law enforcement and forensics skills, reflecting the role of enforcement capacity in reducing illegal take and trade.

15) Who are considered eligible stakeholders for knowledge-raising or effectiveness-building projects?

Eligible work can include projects that raise knowledge and effectiveness among decision makers and other stakeholders such as legislators, educators and students, journalists, tourists, NGOs, and private sector actors, with the intent of improving how these groups influence conservation management, legislation, policy, and financing.

16) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program posting?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed for this posting is F14AS00353.

17) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.621.

18) What type of funding mechanism was used for this opportunity?

This opportunity was offered as discretionary funding through grants and cooperative agreements.

19) How much total funding was estimated for this opportunity?

The total estimated funding amount for this opportunity was $1,705,972.

20) How many awards were anticipated?

The posting anticipated approximately 30 awards.

21) What was the expected award size range?

Individual awards were expected to range from $15,000 (floor) to $75,000 (ceiling).

22) Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The posting states that cost sharing or matching was required.

23) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants were broad and included government entities (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), public and private institutions of higher education, qualified nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations), individuals, and other entities.

24) Are international agencies or non-U.S. organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility statement highlights that international government agencies responsible for Asian elephant conservation, multinational secretariats, and organizations or individuals with demonstrated expertise in Asian elephant conservation may submit proposals.

25) When was this opportunity posted and when was the application deadline?

The opportunity was posted on August 5, 2014. The application deadline was November 3, 2014. The posting was archived on December 3, 2014.

26) What species does this program focus on?

The program focuses on the endangered Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

27) Where should projects take place?

Projects are expected to occur within the Asian elephant range. However, projects outside the range may be funded if they clearly demonstrate strong relevance to Asian elephant conservation (for example, demand-reduction or trade initiatives in consumer or transit countries).

28) How can someone get help if they cannot access the full announcement?

For access issues with the full announcement, the listed contact was Forrest Miller, Grants Specialist, via the program mailbox at mscfasianelephant@fws.gov.