Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund Grant Program

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ Fund) is a prestigious global initiative dedicated to supporting and advancing individual species conservation projects around the world. This Fund plays a crucial role in recognizing conservation leaders and raising awareness about the critical importance of protecting species across the plant, animal, and fungi kingdoms.

Mission and Purpose

The MBZ Fund’s core mission is to provide financial support to projects that focus on the conservation of threatened species. By funding grassroots conservation efforts, the Fund helps catalyze tangible outcomes that protect biodiversity, preserve ecosystems, and contribute to the global conservation dialogue.

Whether you are a field researcher, a conservationist, a scientist, or part of an NGO, if you are directly involved in species conservation, you are eligible to apply for funding. The Fund maintains a truly global scope and does not discriminate based on geographic location or species type, ensuring broad access to support for critical conservation work worldwide.

Grant Details and Funding Limits

• Maximum Grant Amount: $25,000

• Project Budgets: Your total project budget can exceed $25,000 if you have additional funding sources. However, the MBZ Fund will not award more than $25,000 per project.

• Funding Rounds: There are three application deadlines each year—February, June, and October—with corresponding response periods. The next deadline is June 30, 2025. Applicants submitting by this date can expect a response around September.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to anyone actively engaged in the conservation of species globally.

• Applicable to conservation efforts involving plants, animals, and fungi.

• Must focus on species that are threatened or of conservation concern.

• Clear and accurate justification of the species’ conservation status is required.

Important Ineligibility Notes

• Applications requesting funding beyond the $25,000 limit will be automatically rejected.

• Projects targeting species without threat status or applications with incorrect or unjustified conservation statuses will not be considered.

• The Fund is highly competitive, with only approximately 12% of applications receiving grants.

Special Focus: Conservation of Threatened Soil Species

In 2023 and 2024, the MBZ Fund is piloting a unique grant category for threatened soil species, reflecting the growing recognition of soil biodiversity’s critical role in ecosystem health. Applicants interested in this category should select “MBZ Special Focus” under “Species Type” on the application form. This special focus complements the Fund’s traditional support for aboveground species.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted online through the Fund’s official portal. Before applying, it is essential to thoroughly read the eligibility and application criteria, especially regarding species conservation status. The Fund also provides a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to help applicants navigate the process.

Once submitted, applicants will receive an automated confirmation email containing a receipt of their application and login details for tracking.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

Selection and Competition

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is widely recognized as a highly competitive grant program due to the limited budget and high volume of excellent applications it receives annually. With only about 12% of applicants awarded funding, applicants should prepare strong, well-justified proposals highlighting the impact and feasibility of their conservation efforts.

Grants are awarded based on strict criteria established by the Fund, emphasizing the project’s potential to contribute meaningfully to species conservation.

Additional Support and Contact Information

For any queries about the application process or to join the Fund’s contact database, applicants can reach out via the official email addresses:

• enquiries@mbzf.org

• Nheard@mbzf.org

Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues or delays.

Summary

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund offers vital financial backing to individuals and teams working on the frontline of species conservation worldwide. By awarding grants of up to $25,000, the Fund empowers conservationists to implement projects that protect threatened species, promote biodiversity, and raise global awareness about the urgent need to conserve life on Earth. If you are dedicated to making a difference in species conservation, consider applying for this prestigious funding opportunity before the June 30, 2025 deadline.

For further details and to submit your application, please visit the Fund’s official website.