Nominations open for IWT Challenge Fund Main Grants (United Kingdom)

The Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) Challenge Fund offers Main grants ranging from £75,000 to £600,000 to support innovative projects tackling illegal wildlife trade and poverty. These grants focus on projects that provide proof of concept for new interventions over a period of 1 to 3 years. Round 12 applications opened on 30 September 2026, with deadlines for Stage 1 on 23 November 2026, and Stage 2 on 5 April 2027. The IWT Challenge Fund Main Grants aim to support initiatives that directly combat illegal wildlife trade while contributing to poverty reduction. The grants favor projects that can demonstrate scalability and are backed by solid evidence. The goal is to test innovative solutions on a smaller scale, offering a proof of concept that could be expanded in the future.

Projects should focus on:

This funding opportunity is crucial for organizations aiming to innovate in the fight against illegal wildlife trade. By supporting scalable solutions, the IWT Challenge Fund encourages the development of impactful projects that can contribute to long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits. What is the funding range for the IWT Challenge Fund Main Grants? Grants range from £75,000 to £600,000. When is the application deadline for Stage 1? The Stage 1 deadline is 23 November 2026. Are there specific countries eligible for this funding? Eligible countries are not specified in the source. What is the duration of the funded projects? Projects should last between 1 to 3 years. How can I access the application forms? Application forms can be accessed via the Flexi-Grant portal and draft versions are available in Word format. Eligible applicants should carefully review the official guidelines and complete the application process as outlined. For further details, refer to the official IWT Challenge Fund page. For more information, visit Biodiversity Challenge Funds.