Aspire Grant Program

About this grant

The Aspire Grant Program provides competitive research grants of up to $5,000 USD for African graduate students and early career professionals working in biodiversity, conservation, and environmental sustainability in the Congo Basin region. The program addresses critical conservation challenges in one of the world's most important biodiversity centers, which is experiencing accelerating habitat conversion, mineral extraction, forest degradation, and deforestation while facing severe climate change impacts. The Congo Basin rainforests harbor an estimated 20% of all known species of plants and animals, yet the region faces threats including water and food scarcity, environmental deterioration, and emerging diseases. The program was established in 2014 to support and encourage young African scientists to conduct novel conservation research and management activities that address these challenges. These small grants serve as bridge funding to help young African researchers become independent, compete in larger international arenas, and remain engaged in conservation work in their native countries. The program is sponsored by the JRS Biodiversity Foundation and other private foundations committed to conservation and research.

Eligibility

Applicants must be residents of one of the following countries: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Uganda, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Applicants must be graduate students or early career professionals.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be an early-career conservationist or researcher
• ✓Project must involve empirical field-based data collection
• ✓First-time applicants are prioritized
• ✓Submissions accepted in multiple languages
• ✓Project must start January 2027

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Conservation Action Research Network (CARN) offer?

Aspire Grant Program offers up to $5,000.

Who can apply for Aspire Grant Program?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL; individual, research-institution, nonprofit, university. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Biodiversity funding backs habitat restoration, species protection, protected areas and nature-positive business. It comes from environment agencies, multilateral nature funds and conservation philanthropy, often through competitive calls with defined regions. Applicants are usually asked for baseline surveys, local partners and indicators that show ecological change.