Call for Letters on Inquiry: Indo-Burma Hotspot Grants

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) from civil society organizations for projects addressing biodiversity conservation in the Indo-Burma Hotspot. This call supports CEPF Phase IV projects aligned to specific Strategic Directions and Investment Priorities, offering small grants up to US$50,000 and large grants of US$50,000 to US$250,000. The LOI submission window runs from 28 September 2026 to 02 November 2026 (deadline time and time zone not specified in the source). Opportunity at a Glance

- Funding opportunity name: Call for Letters on Inquiry, Indo-Burma Hotspot (CEPF Phase IV)

- Funding organization(s): Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and IUCN

- Opportunity type: Letters of Inquiry (LOIs); followed by invitation to full proposal (for shortlisted applicants)

- Grant size (small): Up to US$50,000

- Grant size (large): US$50,000 to US$250,000

- Eligible countries: Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

- Eligible priorities (overall call focus): - Strategic Directions 1 and 2 - Investment Priorities 9.2, 9.3, 9.4

- Project location scope: Within the Indo-Burma Hotspot boundary (non-marine parts of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, plus parts of southern China)

- Opening date: 28 September 2026

- Closing date: 02 November 2026 (deadline time and time zone not specified in the source)

- Eligible applicants (examples stated): Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community groups, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, women’s groups, private companies, and other local civil society organizations (CSOs) (individuals must apply through CSOs—see eligibility)

About the Opportunity

CEPF is designed to safeguard Earth’s biologically richest and most threatened regions—biodiversity hotspots—by engaging civil society in conservation. In the Indo-Burma Hotspot, CEPF and IUCN are inviting LOIs from eligible organizations proposing projects that address biodiversity conservation needs and align with the call’s specified Strategic Directions and Investment Priorities. This call is limited to projects that address Strategic Directions 1 and 2 and Investment Priorities 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4. The Ecosystem Profile for the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot is highlighted as an important reference for applicants, including for understanding priority species and implementation context. Funding and Benefits

- Small grants: Up to US$50,000

- Large grants: US$50,000 to US$250,000

- Typical follow-on process (LOI → shortlist → presentation → full proposal invitation): - LOIs are screened for eligibility and reviewed. - Shortlisted applicants are invited to present at meetings of National Advisory Committees (NACs) established in each of the Indo-Burma countries. - Only some applicants are invited to submit full proposals. - Preference for alignment and performance (stated in call text): Preference will be given to proposals that closely fit eligible investment priorities, are likely to achieve stated objectives, build on past initiatives, offer good value for money, and demonstrate institutional capacity and experience. Restrictions on grant use

Grants cannot be used for:

- Purchase of land - Removal or alteration of any physical cultural property (including archaeological, palaeontological, historical, religious or unique natural values) - Relocation of people or any form of involuntary resettlement - Capitalisation of trust funds All activities must comply with CEPF social and environmental policies (links referenced in the source; see “Safeguards” notes below). Who Is Eligible?

The call invites LOIs from:

- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) - Community groups - Indigenous Peoples’ organizations - Women’s groups - Private companies - Other local civil society organizations (CSOs) Additional eligibility guidance stated in the source: - Local and international CSOs are eligible. - Individuals cannot apply directly. Individuals must work with CSOs to develop applications rather than apply on their own. - The call welcomes applicants that are current or past CEPF grantees as well as organizations that have not previously received CEPF funding. - Gender considerations: The call notes preference for projects that actively incorporate gender considerations, consistent with CEPF’s gender policy (see “Additional information” and “Gender toolkit/gender factsheet” references in the source). Country eligibility Projects must be within the eligible countries listed in the call: - Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam Eligible Activities or Priority Areas This call supports projects that address one or more of the following Strategic Directions and Investment Priorities.

Strategic Direction 1: Priority globally threatened species

This direction is restricted (for the priority species component) to the priority species listed in Table 32 in the Ecosystem Profile. It is not geographically restricted to priority sites and corridors defined in the Ecosystem Profile. Projects can be located anywhere within the Hotspot boundary. Candidate species not listed as globally threatened may be considered on a case-by-case basis if an urgent need for conservation action is demonstrated. Eligible Investment Priorities under Strategic Direction 1 include: - 1.1 Sustain long-term conservation and systematic monitoring programs for core populations of priority species - 1.2 Reestablish viable wild populations of priority species in line with global guidelines - 1.3 Research and pilot innovative and sustainable funding mechanisms to support long-term species conservation - 1.4 Support species champions at the community level to implement locally identified actions for priority species - 1.5 Improve knowledge of priority species for which improved information is needed for conservation planning and action (including through community action research, traditional ecological knowledge