SSC Red List Grant

The main purpose of this grant is to encourage and promote activities that contribute to the Species Conservation Cycle ratified as the SSC framework in our Species Strategic Plan 2021-2025, through the allocation of small funds from ($USD) $3,000 to $5,000.

These funds are available thanks to funds generated by the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool. Specifically, this call is aimed at increasing the representation of taxonomic groups on the IUCN Red List by adding new assessments for fungi and invertebrates (excluding dragonflies, cephalopods, freshwater decapods, warm-water reef-building corals).

Additionally, applications are particularly encouraged for projects that will submit Red List assessments to the IUCN Red List Unit within 12 months of the start date and/or focus on nationally endemic species.

In addition, as well as falling under the Species Conservation Cycle framework, we also seek to support those activities specified by SSC groups in their annual ‘SSC DATA’ target setting and reporting effort.

Location: Worldwide

Priorities: This round will be open for all the ASSES components of our Species Conservation Cycle. It means that we will fund requests related to understanding and informing the world about the status and trends of biodiversity. 

Who can apply

This funding opportunity will be open to the entire SSC Network: Specialist Groups and Stand-alone Red List Authorities. The proposal must be submitted by the Chair or a Group member properly registered in the IUCN Union Portal.

Requirements

• The proposal must be approved by the SSC Specialist Group Chair/s and Red List Authority Coordinator/s. Please include this endorsement within the Application form. You can find an example here: Letter of Endorsement. 
• The budget must clearly show how the funds will be used to cover all of the activities, performed by the project indicated in the proposal, which will be carried out in 2024-2025 and which contribute to a target set for the SSC Group for the current quadrennium (2021-2025). Priority will be given to projects that commit to submitting Red List assessments in SIS to the Red List Unit by the end of July 2025. 
• The budget may only be used to cover the activities described in the proposal and in the timeline. If the project receives other funds, the budget table must indicate the additional funds already secured to enable project implementation.
• Allocated budget per project of US$ 5,000 maximum. Funds can be used to cover the partial or total cost of the proposed activity.
• The implementation of the timeline of activities can be to a maximum of 12 months. Any extension of the project date must be notified in advance to Mayerlin Ramos via email (mayerlin.ramos@ssc.iucn.org) informing the reasons for the extension request.
• The work must be carried out within the SSC Group and may or may not involve partner organisations, universities or a research group.

SSC DATA Information System: requirements

• The SSC Group must be properly registered in the SSC DATA Information System.
• The project’s targets must MATCH those registered in the SSC DATA Information System for the current five-year period (2021-2025).
• SSC Group results for 2023 must be uploaded into the SSC DATA Information System (SSC Group Chair, click on this link SSC DATA IS Resources for further instructions on how to upload information into the system). In case you need support contact Levi Mendoza (levi.mendoza@ssc.iucn.org)
   

How to apply

Preparation of the proposal

Step 1: SSC Chairs, Red List Authority Coordinator/s and members may identify activities/projects for 2024-2025 aligned with their registered targets. 
Step 2: Check with the chair groups if they have uploaded the targets for 2021-2025 and 2021/ 2022 results within the SSC DATA Information System. Applications from SSC Groups that have not uploaded their results to SSC DATA will not be accepted.
Step 3: Verify that the proposed project/activity clearly contributes to an uploaded target. The target in the proposal must MATCH the target in the SSC DATA Information System.
Step 4: Review and prepare the SSC Red List Grant Proposal Template.
Step 5: Submit your proposal by completing the SSC Red List Grant Proposal Template. All sections are mandatory and cannot be deleted. Applications must be submitted through the following [Application form]. 
Step 6: Once the application is submitted through the Google form, please send the proposal by email to Mayerlin Ramos (mayerlin.ramos@ssc.iucn.org).
Step 7: The SSC Chair’s Office evaluation team will start the evaluation process. If possible, the SSC Chair and focal points of the project will be contacted to clarify, verify or provide any additional information missing in the proposal.
Step 8: Selected proposals will be announced one month after the application call closes. 

Reporting process

Step 9: Selected groups will be required to prepare and submit a progress report (for projects longer than 12 months) and a final narrative and financial report as a funding requirement. The SSC Group Chairs and the focal points of the projects will receive detailed information on the requirements and templates to be used for the reports once they are selected. Check the report templates here.
Step 10: The SSC Chair's office will use the information provided in the reports to highlight project results in the SSC official communication channels. The project focal point is expected to assist in the development of this material and provide the necessary audio visual material.

Eligibility

Consideration will be given to the network priorities of the Species Strategic Plan 2021-2025, the funds available to allocate, whether the applicants have passed the online-Red List exam and the groups/activities determined to have the more urgent support needs. We will also consider whether the group has received funds from this grant previously, to ensure the benefits of this grant can reach the diversity of groups across the network. Important: We are not assigning grants to groups that still have projects running from previous rounds.

Contact

For further information, please contact Mayerlin Ramos.