Billion Baby Turtles New Initiative Fund

Billion Baby Turtles has partnered with the J Berman Memorial Foundation to offer grants to innovative sea turtle conservation programs. Priority will be given to nesting beach conservation programs that are early stage, those that have little access to other funding, and have clear conservation outcomes for priority species. Funding will be offered for projects for up to 3 years, renewed annually based on achieving pre-determined metrics.

Proposals will only be accepted from non-profit organizations working in developing countries. Organizations that are community-based or work closely with local communities will receive preference.

Application Process:

  • Pre-proposals will be accepted until Feb 15th, 2021. Download the pre-proposal form below.

  • Applicants will be notified by February 22nd about submitting a full proposal. Up to five projects will be selected for full proposals.

  • Full proposals will be due by March 15th, 2021.

  • Those selected for full proposals will have meetings scheduled to discuss their applications after the submission date (phone, Zoom, or Skype).

  • Final decisions will be made by April 15th, 2021.

  • Grants may be renewed upon completion of reporting and depending upon successful completion of project deliverables.

To submit: Send pre-proposals and budgets to brad@seeturtles.org. 

Requirements:

  • Projects must be available for site visits during nesting season.

  • Proposals will be accepted for a maximum of US $10,000 per year (for up to 3 years).

  • Proposals will be accepted in English or Spanish (Spanish pre-proposal available below).

  • Non-profit conservation organizations only are eligible; this opportunity is not open for individuals or government agencies or for scientific research, initial beach surveys, educational programs, cleanups, or bycatch projects.

Priorities:

  • Projects must focus on protecting significant turtle nesting beaches in developing countries. Projects focusing on scientific research, initial beach surveys, education or outreach programs, and bycatch projects will not be considered nor projects located in the US, Europe, Japan, or Australia (territories are eligible). Priority will be given to projects located in Africa, Asia, and Pacific islands but projects in Latin America and the Middle East are also eligible.

  • Priority will be given to projects conserving beaches with significant numbers of nests of critically endangered and endangered sea turtle species (hawksbills, Kemp’s ridleys, & green turtles) as well as the critically endangered or endangered populations / Regional Management Units (RMU’s) such as Pacific leatherbacks. Other species are eligible but there must be significant local threats and the beaches must be globally or regionally significant.

  • Priority will be given to new projects acing the threats of illegal hunting or egg collection and those that are not currently receiving significant financial support from outside sources.

  • Current Billion Baby Turtles partners are eligible but grants would only fund expansion of current work or new nesting areas.