+ More Filters

Reset Filters

Title

Funding Organization

Funding Type

Eligible Country

Deadline

Other (Select all that apply)

Show Expired Programs

Show Verified Programs

Not Verified

Elephant Conservation & Research Funding

International Elephant Foundation

The International Elephant Foundation’s Elephant Conservation and Research Funding Support Program is now open for Application Submissions.

To be considered for funding in 2027, applicants are required to complete the APPLICATION IN ENGLISH, using the ONLINE APPLICATION and SUBMIT by the due date below:

On average IEF funds 20 to 25 projects annually. The average Grant Award is $15,000 per year.

IEF is interested in supporting effective, sustainable conservation projects that will make a positive impact for elephants, habitats and the communities that share their land. The application must show that the project goals, methods and intervention are perceived to be or known to be functionally effective, ethically and culturally appropriate, feasible, and the relevant stakeholders are included in the project development and activities. IEF will not fund activities or interventions that have been proven to be ineffective. Therefore make sure you research the methods you are proposing to see what has already been tried and how it has been tried.

General Information and Instructions

To help guide you through the online application we have provided our filmed grant-writing workshop, presentation slides from that workshop and sample copy of the application in a Word.doc file.

The online application form will guide you through the process of providing the information we are seeking that is valuable to us in determining if IEF will fund your project. We are primarily interested in content, clarity, and well-thought-out methodology. Reviewers will base their evaluations only on the information presented in this application.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Direct Conservation Impact (Strongest Predictor)

IEF primarily funds projects that directly improve the survival, protection, management, or conservation of elephant populations and their habitats. Projects with a clear conservation outcome are consistently prioritized.

2. Human–Elephant Conflict (HEC) Mitigation

One of IEF's most frequently stated funding priorities is reducing conflict between elephants and local communities. Successful projects often involve:

Crop protection systems
Early warning systems
Community-based coexistence programs
Conflict monitoring
Alternative livelihoods

Human–elephant conflict mitigation is explicitly listed among the foundation's highest-priority funding areas.

3. Measurable Outcomes

Competitive applications clearly define:

Conservation targets
Monitoring metrics
Population impacts
Habitat improvements
Community outcomes

IEF emphasizes projects capable of demonstrating measurable conservation results rather than purely descriptive activities.

4. Community Participation

Projects that actively engage local communities tend to be highly competitive because long-term elephant conservation depends on local support. Successful projects often include:

Community education
Participatory conservation
Local stewardship
Conflict-reduction partnerships

IEF repeatedly highlights community involvement and coexistence strategies.

5. Habitat Conservation

Habitat protection and management are core funding priorities. Strong applications frequently focus on:

Habitat restoration
Corridor protection
Landscape management
Protected-area conservation
Connectivity between elephant populations

Habitat conservation is specifically listed in IEF funding criteria.

6. Practical Field Implementation

IEF generally favors projects with a clear implementation pathway rather than purely theoretical work.

Successful proposals typically include:

Realistic timelines
Defined field activities
Local partnerships
Clear deliverables
Feasible budgets

Field-based conservation solutions are strongly emphasized.

7. Applied Research Value

IEF funds research when it contributes directly to conservation management.

Examples include:

Elephant movement ecology
Disease surveillance
Population monitoring
Habitat-use studies
Conservation technology
Human–elephant conflict research

Applied research with management implications generally performs better than purely academic studies.

8. Sustainability

Reviewers favor projects that continue generating conservation benefits after IEF funding ends.

Examples include:

Training local personnel
Long-term monitoring systems
Community conservation programs
Institutional capacity development

Sustainability is repeatedly highlighted in descriptions of supported projects.

9. Elephant Protection and Anti-Poaching

IEF specifically identifies support for:

Anti-poaching patrols
Security infrastructure
Wildlife law enforcement
Intelligence gathering
Elephant protection programs

Projects addressing illegal killing or trafficking are highly relevant.

10. Education and Capacity Building

Successful proposals frequently include:

Conservation education
Ranger training
Community awareness
Technology transfer
Professional development

Capacity-building is a recognized component of IEF's conservation strategy.

Frequently Funded Themes

Recent and historical IEF-supported projects commonly involve:

Human–elephant conflict mitigation
Elephant habitat conservation
Anti-poaching programs
Conservation response units
Elephant disease research
Population monitoring
GPS and satellite tracking
Community conservation programs
Elephant corridor protection
Conservation education and outreach

Funding Strategy

A highly competitive IEF application typically includes:

A clearly defined elephant conservation problem.
Measurable conservation outcomes.
Strong local community involvement.
Practical field implementation.
Alignment with IEF priorities such as conflict mitigation, habitat conservation, or elephant protection.
Evidence that conservation benefits will continue beyond the grant period.
A realistic budget (typical awards are around US$15,000, though larger awards may occasionally be considered).

Specialties

Others

Eligibility Requirements

To guide you in your project submission, the following criteria have been established:

IEF prefers to support annual and multi-year projects that address:

Human-Elephant Conflict prevention and mitigation
Habitat conservation and management;
Conservation education and community outreach;
Transfrontier or transboundary elephant conservation;
Elephant protection programs including anti-poaching patrols, infra-structure development, security, investigation and prosecution;
Reducing and preventing the ivory and bushmeat trade; and
Research into elephant diseases.

Before you begin to write your proposal, consider that IEF prefers to fund:

Community-based programs that show promise for future growth;
Projects that have an immediate and measurable effect on elephant conservation;
Projects that can be accomplished and their success initially evaluated within a year, or two years if the proposal indicates a longer timeframe;
Project investigators’ CV demonstrates experience or a strong indication of their ability to be successful; and
Project investigator has established field-based operations in the project area.

As you prepare your budget, these are some items that IEF will not fund:

Out of country travel to project site;
Purchase of guns and ammunition;
Paid informants;
Tuition fees for Advanced Degrees; and
Overhead, indirect, contingency, and miscellaneous costs.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: International Elephant Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: PO Box 366 Azle, TX. 76098

Legal & Affiliation Disclaimer

Affiliation Disclaimer: Trialect operates independently and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by any sponsors or organizations posting on the GrantsBoard platform. As an independent aggregator of publicly available funding opportunities, Trialect provides equal access to information for all users without endorsing any specific funding source, content, organization, or sponsor. Trialect assumes no responsibility for the content posted by sponsors or third parties.

Subscription Disclaimer: Upon logging into Trialect, you may choose to SUBSCRIBE to GrantsBoard for timely notifications of funding opportunities and to access exclusive benefits, such as priority alerts, reminders, personalized recommendations, and additional application support. However, users are advised to contact sponsors directly for any questions and are not required to subscribe to engage with funding opportunities.

Content Ownership and Copyright Disclaimer: Trialect respects the intellectual property rights of all organizations and individuals. All content posted on GrantsBoard is provided solely for informational purposes and remains the property of the original owners. Trialect does not claim ownership of, nor does it have any proprietary interest in, content provided by third-party sponsors. Users are encouraged to verify content and ownership directly with the posting sponsor.

Fair Use Disclaimer: The information and content available on GrantsBoard are compiled from publicly accessible sources in alignment with fair use principles under U.S. copyright law. Trialect serves as an aggregator of this content, offering it to users in good faith and with the understanding that it is available for public dissemination. Any organization or individual who believes their intellectual property rights have been violated is encouraged to contact us for prompt resolution.

Third-Party Posting Responsibility Disclaimer: Trialect is a neutral platform that allows third-party sponsors to post funding opportunities for informational purposes only. Sponsors are solely responsible for ensuring that their postings comply with copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Trialect assumes no liability for any copyright or intellectual property infringements in third-party content and will take appropriate action to address any substantiated claims.

Accuracy and Verification Disclaimer: Trialect makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided by sponsors. Users are advised to verify the details of any funding opportunity directly with the sponsor before taking action. Trialect cannot be held liable for any discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies in third-party postings.

Notice and Takedown Policy: Trialect is committed to upholding copyright law and protecting the rights of intellectual property owners. If you believe that content on GrantsBoard infringes your copyright or intellectual property rights, please contact us with detailed information about the claim. Upon receipt of a valid notice, Trialect will promptly investigate and, where appropriate, remove or disable access to the infringing content.

View Funding Opportunity