ASA Start-up Grants

Grant Criteria:

• Key priority topics for funding include habitat conservation and mitigating the impact of amphibian diseases. We are also keen to support any actions that promote awareness and understanding of amphibians and their conservation, and any knowledge products that will improve conservation impacts. Examples of useful knowledge products include: conservation action plans (see CPSG and example plans); information that can contribute to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assessments and Conservation Needs Assessments; conservation evidence studies; disease screening protocols and mitigation studies; and engagement with the identification and planning of Key Biodiversity Areas. We are keen to see in situ conservation efforts supported by up-to-date conservation evidence and effective conservation planning, and also appropriate awareness-raising and education actions.
• Any communication and awareness-raising activities must be justified in the context of how these actions may influence key audiences in a way that will help mitigate threats and improve the outlook for target species.
• Additional aspects of a project proposal that are appreciated include: a clear link to Amphibian Conservation Action Plan priorities; projects that are actively seeking and/or have acquired match funding for linked activities; strong communication outputs; up-to-date information about major threats to target species; how threats will be mitigated and adherence to any relevant evidence-based conservation studies and/or species conservation action plan(s); evidence of all appropriate partnerships with key stakeholders, including local community-based and government support; links to current or planned habitat protection and other conservation measures; and a clear onward and/or exit strategy.
• Projects in developing countries that are led by (or integrally include) local partners will be prioritised, as will projects that focus on globally Threatened/Data Deficient amphibian species. While we appreciate efforts to keep regionally threatened but globally Near Threatened or Least Concern species common, our limited funds are restricted to projects involving species that need help at a global level. That said, projects involving local populations of species in serious decline may be considered on their own merits.
• Applicants that have been awarded an Amphibian Ark Conservation Grant for any ex situ project components will be prioritised for associated in situ threat mitigation actions. We do not fund ex situ measures directly, but instead work in partnership with Amphibian Ark, so if your project involves an ex situ component, please visit: http://www.amphibianark.org/conservation-grants/
• If available, a copy of a species conservation action plan for the target species should be included, or other planning document(s) which include reference to the project, specific objectives and timelines for meeting those objectives. The plan should have been developed in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders, including those working with the species and/or its habitat in the wild. Inadequate planning is one of the biggest causes for the failure of amphibian conservation programs, and we expect to see appropriate planning in place prior to a program being implemented. A Species Action Plan template is available in English or in Spanish, with existing amphibian conservation action plans for reference available here.
• Biosecurity is of utmost important when working with amphibians. All full proposals must demonstrate the strategies in place for preventing the spread of disease, and planning and/or conducting any necessary disease screening protocols. (See also AArk recommended biosecurity standards).