Submit Concept Notes for The Darwin Initiative Round 21 (Open for All Countries)

Deadline: 3 July 2014

The Darwin Initiative, funded by both the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), invites Concepts Notes from eligible entities in the developing world for the main projects. Selected applicants in the stage 1 will be invited to submit comprehensive application for stage 2 competition.

The Darwin Initiative supports developing countries to conserve biodiversity and reduce poverty. Projects that help the developing countries meet their objectives under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Nagoya Protocal on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) are supported by the Initiative.

Awards range from £80,000 to around £300,000 (with an average project award of about £250,000) for a 3 year Darwin project. Around 90% of projects will be funded by DFID and 10% funded by Defra.  Thus it is up to the applicants to identify if they are applying for funding from DFID or Defra while applying.

Eligibility Criteria for both Defra and DFID funded projects

• Applicant organizations can be based in any country. The applicants must have a credible record of working on similar types of projects, demonstrated experience managing projects of a similar size, and nominate a Project Leader who will be responsible for the technical direction of the project and the main point of contact.
• Applicants selected for stage 2 will have to provide evidence of their experience working on similar projects.
• Selected applicants will have to provide evidence of financial capability and capacity, including audited or independently examined accounts.
• The lead organizations will demonstrate turnover over the last 3 years of at least 25% of the value of the funds requested from Darwin. Applicants that are unable to demonstrate this will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
• The Project Leader should have relevant qualifications, demonstrable expertise in a relevant field and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• Stage 2 applicants will have to submit curriculum vitae for the Project Leader.

For more information, please visit Darwin Initiative Round 21 How to Apply.