The Zoological Association of America (ZAA), one of the largest non-profit wildlife organisations in the country, is now accepting conservation grant applications for 2023.
The organisation’s Conservation Fund gives out grants of up to $5,000 to applicants for their work in field programmes, studies and multidisciplinary approaches to species conservation, habitat preservation and biodiversity enhancement for endangered species and their habitats worldwide.
Eligible projects
Although a wide range of applications will be taken into consideration, field activities, studies, and transdisciplinary strategies for enhancing biodiversity, preserving habitats, and conserving species are encouraged. Programmes that directly contribute to species and habitat conservation including ex-situ research, as well as rescue and rehabilitation of injured or ill animals will also be considered.
ZAA preferentially funds conservation projects for wild animal species, populations, habitats, and biodiversity promotion that are:
- Globally threatened or data deficient (taxa being assessed and evaluated by the IUCN Red List (www.iucnredlist.org) in the categories: DD (data deficient), VU (vulnerable), EN (endangered), CR (critically endangered), or EW) (extinct in the wild)
- Not well-known or not the primary target of any other conservation initiatives or groups
Specific conservation and research initiatives that directly support the survival of a species, subspecies, or population, preferably within its natural distribution, may be eligible. Programmes of ex-situ study and/or rescue that directly affect the preservation of species in the wild may also be considered.
Previous grant winners
Last year, programmes and organisations that received grants from ZAA’s Conservation Fund included:
- Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, US – Texas Horned Lizard Project
- Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, US – Understanding the Effects of Red Tide, Karenia brevis, on the Health of Vulnerable Gulf Coast Seabirds
- National Eagle Center, US – Geographic Expansion of Well-Established Wintering Golden Eagle Survey
- Partnership between Wildlife Medicine Research Center (CEMPAS) from Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP; Baruru Zoo, Bauru, SP; and Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil – Dietary Nutritional Composition, Health Status and Cortisol of Free-ranging and Captive Collared Anteaters, Tamandua tetradactyla.
2023 proposals will be accepted until April 15, 2023. To access more information about the full grant guidelines and the application process, please click here. For questions and to submit an application please contact Meg Lampert, administrative director, via email.
At the end of 2022, ZAA announced the planned retirement of one of its directors. Following more than four decades of service to the zoo and aquarium industry, and six years with the ZAA, the association’s current executive director, John Seyjagat is set to retire on 31 March 2023.
