We invite to apply to this new funding opportunity.

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Rainforest Trust and an alliance of conservation NGOs are proud to announce a bold new US$ 5,000,000 partnership to protect and conserve habitat for the world’s most threatened and evolutionarily distinct species.

The EDGE Protected and Conserved Area Fund will provide grants to local Civil Society Organizations that are focused on creating or expanding protected and conserved areas for EDGE species – species that are evolutionarily distinct and at the highest risk of extinction – across the tropics and subtropics.

The EDGE Protected and Conserved Fund is a partnership between Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, On The Edge Conservation, Re:wild, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Synchronicity Earth and the Zoological Society of London with funding provided by Rainforest Trust.

The EDGE Protected and Conserved Area Fund will prioritize the establishment or expansion of protected areas for EDGE species based on the following criteria:

  1. Any CR or EN EDGE species (please consult this curated list) that are currently unprotected in any part of their range; or VU EDGE species that overlap with other CR or EN unprotected species.
  2. Projects that address priority actions from an existing action plan, including IUCN SSC species action plans, specifically those calling for the establishment of protected areas for key populations.

Special attention will also be given to unprotected Alliance for Zero Extinction sites holding EDGE trigger species, although this is not a pre-condition.

How to apply

The application process follows the standard procedure for Rainforest Trust opportunities. To be considered, interested organizations must:

  1. Complete and submit a Concept Note and GIS file. A template for the Concept Note can be found here. The GIS file should show the boundaries of the proposed Protected or Conserved Area and be a Shapefile, KML or KMZ file.
  2. Complete and submit an Application. Based on your Concept Note, if your project fits our criteria, you will be contacted to begin work on a more detailed Application.

Remember: Applications for Rapid Awards will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications for Full Awards are due by 08 May 2023.

Applications should be submitted to [email protected]. For more information, please visit https://www.edgeofexistence.org/.