The Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund (SDCBF), established by Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Rhode Island Zoological Society, supports conservation programs that protect threatened wildlife and habitats worldwide.

Field studies and other projects that demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, and projects that involve in-country collaborators receive the highest funding priority.

Environmental education programs, the development of techniques that can be used in a natural environment, and captive propagation programs that stress an integrative approach to conservation are also appropriate. Projects must directly affect biological conservation.

Funding Restrictions

• Funds for elements of a project that will have already occurred before awards are granted are not eligible for grants. In rare cases there are exceptions, however, ongoing costs such as salaries of permanent staff and other administrative costs are generally not considered.
• Funds to cover contingencies, institutional/organizational overhead, indirect costs, tuition fees, fringe benefits, or travel not associated with project activities (e.g., travel to conferences where results will be presented) are not granted.
• The Fund may consider partial funding of a project if a particular component of the project has support and can be completed independently, or if it is made clear that additional funding has been obtained or is being sought from other sources to cover remaining costs.
• They do not accept proposals requesting more than the maximum amount of funds allowed for the specific grant program. One may submit a proposal for subsequent phases of previously funded projects.
• Roger Williams Park Zoo is not required to be a collaborator for a project to be eligible for funding.

They will not consider highly invasive, terminal research projects or projects that collect/voucher specimens for funding.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be associated with an organization (e.g. NGO, university, etc.) through which s/he can receive funding.
• Organizations, not individuals, receive funding check.
• There are no eligibility restrictions on the nationality of the applicant.
• Projects that have been funded by the SDCBF are eligible for the second year of funding.

A second application must be submitted according to the application guidelines, along with a progress report from the first year of SDCBF funding.