Entries open for IWT Challenge Fund Evidence Grants

The IWT (Illegal Wildlife Trade) Challenge Fund Evidence grants offer financial support for projects that gather evidence to address environmental crime, including IWT. Managed by the UK Government, these grants range from £20,000 to £150,000 and are designed to assist in designing interventions where current approaches are lacking. Applications for Round 12 are open until 15 February 2027. The IWT Challenge Fund Evidence grants are intended to support projects that collect and utilize evidence to address environmental crime effectively. The focus is on filling gaps in existing approaches by designing interventions that can be later developed into full-scale projects. This round encourages exploring underrepresented environmental crime challenges, potentially including market research to reduce demand for illicit wildlife products. Eligible applicants include organizations capable of undertaking research and designing interventions related to environmental crime. Specific eligible countries are not detailed in the source; potential applicants should review official guidelines for more information. Projects should focus on generating evidence to address environmental crimes such as illegal wildlife trade, illegal logging, fisheries crime, illegal mining, and waste crime. Proposals that address less represented environmental challenges are particularly welcomed. This funding supports crucial research that can lead to innovative solutions for combating environmental crime. By filling evidence gaps, projects can contribute to the design and testing of new interventions, ultimately aiding in the global effort to protect biodiversity and natural resources. What is the funding range for these grants? Grants range from £20,000 to £150,000. Who can apply for this funding? Eligible applicants include organizations focused on environmental crime research and intervention design. What is the deadline for applications? Applications must be submitted by 15 February 2027. How long can projects last? Projects can last up to 2 years. Where can I find the application form? The application form is available on the Flexi-Grant portal, with a drafting template in Word format. Eligible organizations should review the official guidance on the IWT Challenge Fund website and prepare their applications to submit via the Flexi-Grant portal by the deadline. Ensure all project plans and budgets consider potential funding limitations beyond March 2029.