Global Raptor Research and Conservation Grant 2026
Up to $3,500 USD for Local Researchers Working on Priority Raptor Species
HawkWatch International’s Global Raptor Research and Conservation Grant (GRRCG) is a practical funding opportunity designed for researchers and conservationists based in the countries where threatened and understudied raptors live. The programme focuses on closing critical knowledge gaps and supporting real conservation actions for species that often receive little scientific attention.
Since 2021, the grant has supported projects on more than a dozen priority raptor species across Africa, Asia, Latin America and island nations. Awards of up to $3,500 USD are available, and successful applicants also receive scientific guidance, networking support and help publicising their results.
Applications for the next cycle are open. The deadline is 11:59 PM Mountain Standard Time on 31 December 2026. This AlertNaija247 guide explains who the grant is for, what it covers, the key requirements, and how to prepare a strong application.
Scholarship Quick Overview
- Grant Name: Global Raptor Research and Conservation Grant (GRRCG)
- Host Organisation: HawkWatch International
- Maximum Award: Up to $3,500 USD
- Number of Awards: Up to three applicants funded per year
- Project Duration: Must be completed within 18 months of receiving funds
- Focus: Single priority raptor species (RCPI ≥ 0.5)
- Eligible Regions: Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and many island countries (not USA, Canada or Europe)
- Application Deadline: 31 December 2026 (11:59 PM Mountain Standard Time)
- Application Language: English
What This Scholarship Offers
The Global Raptor Research and Conservation Grant is not a traditional university scholarship for degree studies. It is a project grant that provides direct financial support to local researchers and conservation practitioners working on high-priority raptor species.
Successful applicants receive:
- Direct funding of up to $3,500 USD for fieldwork, equipment, data collection, community engagement or other project costs
- Scientific guidance from HawkWatch International staff and partners
- Networking opportunities within the global raptor research community
- Help publicising project results, which can raise the profile of both the researcher and the target species
- Possibility of applying for one additional year of continued funding if all reporting requirements are met
The grant is designed to build local capacity. Preference is given to projects led by citizens or permanent residents of the country where the work takes place, and to early-career researchers or those with demonstrated financial need.
Who Is Eligible?
To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements:
- The project must focus on a single species of raptor that is recognised as a high-priority species (RCPI-Edge score of 0.5 or higher) on HawkWatch International’s most recent priority list.
- The work must be led by the applicant.
- The applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the country or region where the project will take place.
- The applicant must be associated with a registered NGO or university in the country where the project will take place. That organisation must agree to accept the grant funds and disburse them to the applicant.
- The entire project (including all outputs) must be completed within 18 months of receiving the grant funds.
Geographic restrictions: Projects taking place in the USA, Canada or Europe are not eligible. The grant targets high-priority regions for raptor research and conservation, particularly Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and many island countries.
Language: Applications must be submitted in English. The applicant’s CV or résumé may be submitted in English or Spanish.
Do You Qualify? A Practical Self-Check
Use this simple checklist to see whether this opportunity is a realistic fit for you:
- Are you a citizen or permanent resident of the country where your proposed fieldwork will happen?
- Is your target species on the current HawkWatch priority list (RCPI ≥ 0.5)?
- Can you clearly show how your project will either fill an important knowledge gap or deliver a practical conservation action for that species?
- Do you already have (or can you secure) a formal relationship with a registered NGO or university that will receive and manage the funds?
- Can you realistically complete all planned activities and deliverables within 18 months?
- Is $3,500 a meaningful portion of your total project budget (ideally 50% or more)?
If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, this grant is worth serious consideration. If several answers are “no,” you may need to refine your project idea or look for other funding sources.
What the Scholarship Covers
The maximum award is $3,500 USD. Funds can be used for project-related costs such as:
- Fieldwork expenses (transport, accommodation in the field, field assistants)
- Equipment and supplies needed for data collection
- Community engagement or education activities linked to the project
- Data analysis and preparation of reports or publications
- Other direct project costs that are clearly justified in the budget
Important points about funding:
- The grant is not described as covering living expenses, tuition, or personal costs unrelated to the project.
- Institutional overhead charged by the host NGO or university should be clearly shown in the budget.
- Applicants are expected to show any other funding already secured or being sought.
- Projects where the $3,500 would form a significant share (50%+) of the total budget are preferred.
Never assume that flights, visas, insurance or accommodation outside the project site are automatically covered. Only costs that are properly justified in the submitted budget will be considered.
What You Need Before Applying
Strong applications are built on preparation. Before you start writing, make sure you have the following in place:
- Confirmed priority species: Check the latest HawkWatch International priority species list (updated September 2025) and confirm that your target raptor has an RCPI-Edge score of 0.5 or higher.
- Host organisation letter or agreement: You need a registered NGO or university that is willing to receive the grant and disburse the funds to you. Secure this relationship early.
- Clear research or conservation question: Be able to state in one or two sentences exactly what knowledge gap you will fill or what conservation action you will implement.
- Realistic methods: Your methods section must be detailed enough that another researcher could repeat the work. Weak methods are a common reason applications are ranked lower.
- Budget draft: Prepare a clear, itemised budget showing exactly how the requested funds will be spent and what other funding (if any) is available.
- Timeline: Map out a realistic 18-month schedule that includes fieldwork, analysis, reporting and any expected outputs.
Important Requirements and Restrictions
HawkWatch International will not review applications that fall into any of these categories:
- Projects located in the USA, Canada or Europe
- Projects focused on a raptor species with RCPI-Edge score below 0.5
- Projects taking place outside the country where the applicant is a citizen or permanent resident
- Applications submitted in any language other than English
- Projects that cannot complete all outputs within 18 months of receiving funds
- Applications that lack a relationship with a registered NGO or university willing to accept and disburse the grant
Meeting the minimum requirements is essential. Preference is then given to projects that fill knowledge gaps on species with little or no prior research, are led by researchers with a clear commitment to raptor work, and where the grant forms a large share of the total budget.
Application Deadline
The current application window is open. All materials must be submitted by:
31 December 2026
11:59 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Late applications are not accepted. Because the deadline falls at the end of the calendar year, plan to finish your proposal well in advance so you have time for review and any last-minute adjustments.
Before You Apply – Key Things to Check
- Confirm your species is on the latest priority list published by HawkWatch International (updated Fall 2025).
- Verify that your host NGO or university can legally receive and manage foreign grant funds.
- Check whether any research or fieldwork permits will be required and how long they take to obtain in your country.
- Make sure your proposed methods are realistic given the budget and the 18-month timeline.
- Prepare a short, clear abstract (maximum 200 words) that states the species, country, and the exact research question or conservation action.
- Ask a colleague or mentor to review your draft proposal for clarity and completeness before submission.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the official HawkWatch International process. The preferred method is to complete and submit the application form available on the grant webpage.
If you are unable to use the online form, you may email your complete application package to the official grant email address listed on the HawkWatch website.
Required application components include:
- Basic information (name, email, project country, citizenship country, host organisation details, amount requested, total project budget, species name, IUCN status, RCPI-Edge score, and number of existing publications)
- Applicant résumé or CV (maximum 2 pages; may be in English or Spanish)
- Short biography (1 page, single-spaced) explaining your experience, current position, and how the project fits your career goals
- Project Description (maximum 3 pages, single-spaced) containing:
- Abstract (≤ 200 words)
- Background and importance
- Study objectives
- Detailed methods
- Permits information and timeline
- Expected outputs
- Project timeline
- Literature cited
- Itemised budget showing how grant funds will be spent, any institutional overhead, and other funding sources
All application materials (except the CV/résumé) must be in English. The methods section is especially important — it should be detailed enough that another researcher could replicate the work.
Application Checklist
Use this list before you submit:
- Confirmed that the target species has RCPI ≥ 0.5
- Host NGO or university agreement secured
- CV/résumé ready (max 2 pages)
- One-page short biography completed
- Project description written (max 3 pages) with strong methods section
- Abstract is 200 words or fewer
- Budget is clear, itemised and realistic
- Timeline fits within 18 months
- All materials (except CV) are in English
- Application submitted before 31 December 2026, 11:59 PM MST
AlertNaija247 Student Tip
This is a competitive grant. Many strong proposals are received each year for limited funding. To improve your chances:
- Focus on a species that truly has very little published research — the grant strongly favours filling genuine knowledge gaps.
- Make your methods section as clear and detailed as possible. Reviewers repeatedly note that weak methods are a common weakness.
- Show that $3,500 will make a real difference to your project (ideally covering 50% or more of the total budget).
- If you are an early-career researcher or can demonstrate financial need, make that clear in your biography and application.
- Start early. Securing the host organisation letter and refining your methods can take longer than expected.
Remember: this advice is general guidance for applicants. Always follow the official instructions and requirements published by HawkWatch International.
Final Notes for Applicants
The Global Raptor Research and Conservation Grant offers a genuine chance for local researchers in priority regions to obtain meaningful support for work that can improve the conservation status of threatened and understudied raptors. It is not a large multi-year fellowship, but a focused project grant that values practical impact, strong methods and local leadership.
Take time to confirm your species is eligible, secure your institutional host, and write a clear, detailed proposal. Submit well before the 31 December 2026 deadline.
Good luck with your application. Well-prepared proposals that address real knowledge gaps or deliver practical conservation actions stand the best chance of success.
This guide was prepared by AlertNaija247 to help students and early-career researchers understand the Global Raptor Research and Conservation Grant. Always verify the latest details and requirements directly on the official HawkWatch International grant page before applying.