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APPLY FOR GRANTS


Frequently Asked Questions - CEPF Grants

Eligibility

Who can apply for a CEPF grant?
Nongovernmental organizations, community groups, private enterprises, and other civil society applicants may apply for funding. Government-owned enterprises or institutions are eligible only if they can establish that the enterprise or institution i) has a legal personality independent of any government agency or actor; ii) has the authority to apply for and receive private funds; and iii) may not assert a claim of sovereign immunity.

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What types of proposals does CEPF approve?
Proposals that target direct global environmental benefits and meet the following eligibility criteria are welcome:
  • Project is located in an approved hotspot
  • Project is located in a country that is not excluded by U.S. law
  • Project supports a strategic direction outlined in the relevant CEPF ecosystem profile and investment strategy
  • Grant applicant is authorized under relevant national laws to receive charitable contributions
  • Government-owned enterprises or institutions are eligible only if they can establish i) that the enterprise or institution has a legal personality independent of any government agency or actor, ii) that the enterprise or institution has the authority to apply for and receive private funds, and iii) that the enterprise or institution may not assert a claim of sovereign immunity
  • Grant will not be used for the purchase of land, involuntary resettlement of people, or activities that negatively affect physical cultural resources, including those important to local communities
  • Grant will not be used for activities adversely affecting Indigenous Peoples or where these communities have not provided their broad support to the project activities
  • Grant will not be used to remove or alter any physical cultural property (includes sites having archeological, paleontological, historical, religious, or unique natural values)
  • Proposed activities observe all other relevant safeguard and social policies

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Can applicants apply for or receive more than one grant?
Yes. If an applicant wishes to perform work in multiple areas or support more than one strategic direction for a particular area, separate proposals may be submitted.

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Applying for CEPF Grants

Where is CEPF currently accepting proposals?
Currently, applications for grants are accepted in the following regions:
  • Caucasus
  • Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Tanzania and Kenya
  • Eastern Himalayas Region
  • Mesoamerica (Northern Mesoamerica: Belize, Guatemala, Mexico)
  • Succulent Karoo)

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How can an organization apply for funding?
All applicants must first submit a letter of inquiry. Letters of inquiry for a grant of $20,000 or less constitute the full proposal. For grants of more than $20,000, if invited, applicants then submit a more detailed proposal. The letter of inquiry form is available in the Apply section or can be requested and returned via other means:

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
Conservation International
2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22202 USA
Main phone 1.703.341 2400
Fax: 1.703.553 0721
E-mail: [email protected]

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Is there a deadline for submitting grant applications?
Timeframes and procedures for submitting proposals may vary for each region. Details are available in the Apply section. CEPF will stop accepting proposals for a particular area or strategic direction in that area once the designated funds are committed. If this occurs, grant applicants will be advised on this site.

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What is the maximum time a grant can cover?
Five years, however the time available for each project may differ depending on the region in question and the amount of time remaining for implementation of the overall investment strategy.

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Is there a maximum amount an applicant can request for a project?
Yes. As of July 2007, CEPF will not fund projects of $1 million and above. Specific requests for proposals may also include a ceiling on the amount an applicant could request. In general when determining the amount to request, applicants should keep in mind that CEPF aims to create a diversified portfolio of grantees and projects to best meet its conservation objectives and help strengthen the involvement of civil society in conservation.

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Will CEPF cover core costs?
Yes. CEPF can cover core costs, such as salaries, rent, and maintenance. These costs, however, must support a specific grant proposal and within that proposal, a specific output. Core costs are inevitable in achieving conservation outcomes, but they must be merited, budgeted, and reported on appropriately.

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Is technical assistance available?
Yes. Technical assistance is available by e-mailing: or through Regional Implementation Team or CEPF staff directly for both parts of the process. Detailed help and instructions are also available in the applications themselves.

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How are decisions made?
The CEPF partners have agreed a specific grant decision-making process. For new regions approved for investment beginning in 2007, the Regional Implementation Team will determine whether applications up to $20,000 will be funded. The relevant CEPF grant director together with the Regional Implementation Team, and in consultation with the CEPF Executive Director, will determine whether an application for above $20,000 will be supported.

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Why might a proposal be rejected?
Funding for the appropriate strategic direction in the ecosystem profile may already be allocated or the activities may duplicate efforts already supported. In other cases, the proposed project may fall outside geographic or thematic funding priorities. In some cases, the project may be too ambitious for the requested time frame or beyond the demonstrated expertise of the applicant. Sometimes a proposal includes activities that CEPF cannot support, such as relocation of people or the purchase of land. Whatever the reasons, CEPF will communicate these directly to the applicant.

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Grant Management

How are the funds disbursed to grantees?
CEPF grant agreements describe the terms of reference, payment schedules, and disbursements procedures for each grant. Grant payments are made based on approved financial reports and projected cash needs specific to the project supported.

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What are the reporting requirements for CEPF?
All grantees must submit regular programmatic and financial reports in a specific format. The frequency of programmatic reporting required is specified in each grant agreement. The format has been designed to be a useful program management tool. The programmatic reporting relates to demonstrating progress with respect to the performance indicators in the project design. The financial reporting is based on the approved budget.

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