Opportunity Information: Apply for ASECF09

  • The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment natural resources other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Asian Elephant Conservation Fund" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.621 Asian Elephant Conservation Fund.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jan 26, 2009 and posted on Sep 19, 2007.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 1, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $910,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 26 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Small businesses Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Individuals Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
  • Applications may be submitted by Asian government agencies responsible for Asian elephant conservation and protection and any other organization with demonstrated experience in Asian elephant conservation
Apply for ASECF09

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Opportunity Summary:

The Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (Funding Opportunity Number ASECF09) is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support on-the-ground conservation of Asian elephants across their range. The core aim is to reduce threats to vulnerable elephant populations and improve the long-term management of the habitats and landscapes they depend on, including areas that cross national borders. Projects are expected to translate into practical conservation outcomes, whether that is better protection, better data for decision-making, stronger local capacity, or fewer conflicts between people and elephants.

Funding is intended for a wide spread of conservation activities. Priority areas include strengthening protection for at-risk populations; supporting transfrontier (cross-border) elephant conservation; conserving and managing elephant habitat and broader ecosystems; and applied research that directly informs management, such as population and habitat surveys, monitoring, and other field-based assessments. The opportunity also supports conservation education, improved protected area and reserve management in key elephant range, and the development and implementation of elephant conservation management plans. Another major focus is building the ability of local institutions and partners to carry out conservation work effectively, including training and support related to wildlife inspection, law enforcement, and forensic skills, which can be important for addressing illegal wildlife trade and other wildlife crimes. The program also explicitly supports efforts that reduce human-elephant conflict, recognizing that coexistence strategies are often essential for both elephant survival and community safety and livelihoods.

Awards are offered as grants and/or cooperative agreements, and the program includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning recipients are expected to contribute some portion of project costs through cash, in-kind support, or other allowable match sources. The estimated total funding listed for this opportunity is about $910,000, with an expectation of roughly 26 awards. Individual award sizes typically range from $5,000 (award floor) up to $50,000 (award ceiling). Because funds are limited and the program aims to support a variety of projects, proposals requesting $50,000 or less are preferred. Requests above $50,000 can still be considered, but they need clear, well-supported justification explaining why the larger amount is necessary to achieve meaningful conservation results.

A broad set of applicants may be eligible, including nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses are explicitly listed, though small businesses are also listed as eligible), public and private institutions of higher education, individuals, and other entities. In practice, the announcement notes that applications may be submitted by Asian government agencies responsible for Asian elephant conservation and protection, as well as any other organization with demonstrated experience in Asian elephant conservation. This emphasis signals that the program is looking for applicants with credible field capacity, relevant partnerships, and a track record (or clearly demonstrated ability) to deliver conservation outcomes in Asian elephant range states.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized under Environment and Natural Resources, with a specific emphasis on wildlife conservation (CFDA 15.621). The notice was originally posted September 19, 2007, with later record dates indicating it remained open through a final closing date of April 1, 2009, and an archive date of May 1, 2009. For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement, the contact listed is Dr. Meenakshi Nagendran with the Asian Elephant Conservation Program.

Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (ASECF09) FAQs

What is the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (ASECF09)?

The Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (Funding Opportunity Number ASECF09) is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It supports on-the-ground conservation projects for Asian elephants across their range, with an emphasis on practical actions that reduce threats, improve habitat and landscape management, and strengthen long-term conservation outcomes.

Who runs this funding opportunity?

The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through its Asian Elephant Conservation Program.

What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The core purpose is to reduce threats to vulnerable Asian elephant populations and improve long-term management of the habitats and landscapes elephants depend on. Projects are expected to lead to practical results such as better protection, stronger data for management decisions, improved local capacity, and reduced human-elephant conflict.

Where can funded projects take place?

Projects are intended to support Asian elephant conservation across the species' range. The opportunity also highlights the importance of landscapes that cross national borders, including transfrontier (cross-border) conservation work.

What kinds of activities are considered a priority for funding?

Priority areas include strengthening protection for at-risk elephant populations, supporting transfrontier elephant conservation, conserving and managing elephant habitat and broader ecosystems, and applied research that directly informs management decisions.

What does "applied research that directly informs management" mean in this program?

It refers to field-based research and assessments that lead to practical management improvements, such as population surveys, habitat surveys, monitoring, and other on-the-ground data collection used for decision-making in elephant conservation.

Does the program support habitat conservation and ecosystem management?

Yes. The opportunity specifically supports conserving and managing elephant habitat as well as broader ecosystems and landscapes that elephants rely on.

Does the program support cross-border (transfrontier) conservation?

Yes. Supporting transfrontier elephant conservation is explicitly identified as a priority, reflecting the fact that elephant habitats and movement corridors can span national boundaries.

Are education and outreach activities eligible under this opportunity?

Yes. The program supports conservation education as one of the eligible activity areas.

Does the opportunity fund protected area or reserve management improvements?

Yes. It supports improved protected area and reserve management in key elephant range areas.

Can applicants seek funding to develop or implement elephant conservation management plans?

Yes. The development and implementation of elephant conservation management plans is included as an eligible focus area.

Is building local institutional capacity an important part of this program?

Yes. A major focus is strengthening the ability of local institutions and partners to carry out conservation work effectively, including training and support that improve operational capacity.

What types of training or capacity-building activities are mentioned?

The opportunity mentions training and support related to wildlife inspection, law enforcement, and forensic skills. These areas can be important for addressing illegal wildlife trade and other wildlife crimes affecting elephants and their habitats.

Does the program support efforts to reduce human-elephant conflict?

Yes. The program explicitly supports efforts that reduce human-elephant conflict, recognizing coexistence strategies as essential for elephant survival as well as community safety and livelihoods.

What types of awards are available (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

Awards may be offered as grants and/or cooperative agreements under this opportunity.

Is there a cost-share or matching requirement?

Yes. The program includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement. Recipients are expected to contribute a portion of total project costs through cash, in-kind support, or other allowable match sources.

How much total funding is estimated for this opportunity?

The estimated total funding listed for the opportunity is about $910,000.

How many awards are expected?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of roughly 26 awards.

What is the typical award size?

Individual awards typically range from $5,000 (the award floor) up to $50,000 (the award ceiling).

Are proposals above $50,000 allowed?

Requests above $50,000 can be considered, but they require clear and well-supported justification explaining why the larger amount is necessary to achieve meaningful conservation results.

Are smaller budget requests preferred?

Yes. Because funds are limited and the program aims to support a variety of projects, proposals requesting $50,000 or less are preferred.

Who is eligible to apply?

A broad range of applicants may be eligible, including nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (including small businesses as listed), public and private institutions of higher education, individuals, and other entities.

Does the opportunity emphasize any particular types of applicants?

Yes. The announcement notes that applications may be submitted by Asian government agencies responsible for Asian elephant conservation and protection, as well as any other organization with demonstrated experience in Asian elephant conservation. This signals an emphasis on credible field capacity, relevant partnerships, and a track record (or clearly demonstrated ability) to deliver results in Asian elephant range states.

What subject area or category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under Environment and Natural Resources, with an emphasis on wildlife conservation.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The CFDA number listed is 15.621.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The notice was originally posted on September 19, 2007. Record dates indicate it remained open through a final closing date of April 1, 2009, and it has an archive date of May 1, 2009.

Who is the contact person for questions or access to the full announcement?

The contact listed is Dr. Meenakshi Nagendran with the Asian Elephant Conservation Program.

What kinds of outcomes does the program expect funded projects to deliver?

The program expects practical conservation outcomes, such as improved protection, better data for decision-making, stronger local capacity to carry out conservation work, improved management of habitats and landscapes, and reduced conflict between people and elephants.

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