Jana Trust Fund Small Grants for Early Career Biologists

Deadline: 31-Dec-2026

The Jana Trust Fund provides small grants to support early career biologists undertaking research and conservation projects focused on endangered mammals in Sub-Saharan Africa. The fund is designed to address the difficulties early career biologists often face when seeking financial support for small-scale research and conservation activities. By providing accessible grants for essential project needs, the Jana Trust Fund aims to help researchers carry out practical work that contributes to the conservation of endangered mammals. Grants of up to €1,500 per application are available for eligible ongoing projects and pilot programmes with clear research and conservation value.

About the Jana Trust Fund

The Jana Trust Fund focuses on supporting early career biologists working on endangered mammals in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme recognizes that small amounts of targeted funding can make an important difference to field-based research and conservation work. Funding is intended to support projects that: - Address identified conservation needs - Have clear research value - Demonstrate practical conservation benefits - Support field-based research or conservation activities - Contribute to the protection of endangered mammals in Sub-Saharan Africa Funding Available The Jana Trust Fund offers small grants of up to €1,500 per application. The funding is intended for essential project costs associated with research and conservation activities. Applicants should demonstrate how the requested funding will directly contribute to their project’s objectives. What Projects Are Supported? Eligible projects may include ongoing research projects or pilot programmes that demonstrate clear conservation and research value. Particular emphasis is placed on projects with an applied conservation benefit or those addressing an identified conservation need.

Projects must:

- Be based in a country in Sub-Saharan Africa - Focus on endangered mammals - Include a research or conservation component - Demonstrate clear conservation value - Provide practical benefits for conservation where possible Who Can Apply? The Jana Trust Fund is open to early career biologists. Applicants may be based anywhere in the world, provided that the proposed project is located in Sub-Saharan Africa and meets the programme’s focus on endangered mammal research and conservation. This makes the opportunity relevant to early career researchers who may be affiliated with institutions outside Africa but are conducting eligible conservation work within the region. Eligible Countries and Project Location The proposed project must be based in a country in Sub-Saharan Africa. The applicant’s personal location does not have to be in Sub-Saharan Africa. The key requirement is that the funded research or conservation project is located in the eligible region. Applicants should clearly explain the project location and its relevance to endangered mammal conservation. What Can the Grant Fund? The Jana Trust Fund can support several costs directly related to research and conservation activities.

Eligible support may include:

- Travel costs for presenting research at conferences - Travel costs for participating in workshops - Travel costs for training programmes - Field equipment essential for completing fieldwork - Office equipment where it is essential to fieldwork or conservation needs - Internship or volunteer programme participation where it is essential to fieldwork or conservation needs Applicants should demonstrate why each requested cost is necessary for the proposed research or conservation activity. Field Equipment Support Field equipment can be an important expense for early career biologists undertaking conservation research. The fund can support the purchase of field equipment essential for completing fieldwork. Applicants should clearly connect equipment requests with the project’s field activities and explain how the equipment will contribute to research or conservation objectives. Office equipment may also be considered, but only when it is essential to fieldwork or conservation needs. Conference, Workshop and Training Travel The fund can support travel associated with presenting research at conferences or participating in relevant workshops and training programmes. This provides early career biologists with an opportunity to share research findings, develop professional knowledge, and participate in activities that contribute to their research or conservation work. The requested travel should have a clear connection to the applicant’s research or conservation objectives. What Costs Are Not Eligible? The Jana Trust Fund does not support a number of expenses.

Ineligible costs include:

- Living costs - Salaries - Thesis production - Retrospective costs - Fundraising - Debt payments - Education projects - Organizing community workshops Participation in internships or volunteer programmes is also generally not eligible unless it is essential to fieldwork or conservation needs. Similarly, office equipment is only considered where it is essential to fieldwork or conservation activities. Conservation and Research Focus The fund places particular importance on projects that combine research with practical conservation value.

Applicants should explain:

- Which endangered mammal species or conservation issue is being addressed - What research question or conservation need the project responds to - How the project will contribute to understanding or protecting endangered mammals - What practical conservation benefits are expected - Why the proposed activity is important at the project location Projects with a clearly identified conservation need and practical application may demonstrate stronger alignment with the fund’s objectives. Reapplication Policy Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are welcome to apply again 12 months after their previous submission. This allows early career biologists to develop their project