TDARFAC grants, from the Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation, give small but powerful awards of up to $10,000 to conservationists working to protect primates and their habitats. If you live in a country where non-human primates are found, and you are a graduate student, an early-career professional or part of a local NGO with a practical conservation idea, this grant program is built with people like you in mind.
First, a clear expectation: this is not a scholarship. It does not pay tuition or living costs. It is a project grant, awarded to a named Principal Investigator (the person responsible for the project). If you want degree funding, our guide to the Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future may help. If you have a field project, keep reading.
This guide covers what the Foundation funds, who can apply, how to build a strong proposal, and the mistakes to avoid. The information comes from the Foundation’s official grants page and its 2027 proposal template, as checked on 16 October 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official website before applying.
What Is the Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation?
The Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation (TDARFAC) supports applied conservation. Its field projects are primarily in Madagascar, and its grant program reaches primate range countries and other primate habitats.
The Foundation’s grants page does not give a standalone mission statement, but it says every funded project must align with its mission and at least one of three core objectives:
- Building capacity
- Amplifying voices
- Partnering with local communities
Think of TDARFAC grants as practical, locally rooted support, not large research funding.
Key Benefits: What TDARFAC Grants Cover
There are two grant types:
| Grant type | Project length | Maximum |
| Short-term or pilot project | Six months or shorter | $5,000 |
| Long-term project | Longer than six months | $10,000 |
Other benefits:
- Funding goes to an individual. The award goes to a named Principal Investigator or project lead, not directly to an institution. Organizations can apply, but the individual is responsible for the award and reporting.
- Reviewer feedback for every applicant. The page says feedback is shared with all applicants, which is rare and very useful if you reapply.
- Public recognition. Selected recipients are recognized on the Foundation’s website and social media.
- A track record. Even a small grant, completed and reported well, strengthens future applications.
Budget notes
The proposal template says eligible research-related expenses include travel, lodging, meals and field equipment. All expenses must be directly related to the project, and personal or unrelated expenses are not permitted. The materials I could read do not state an indirect cost policy or a budget cap beyond the $5,000 and $10,000 maximums, so confirm that with the Foundation.
Who Are TDARFAC Grants For? (Undergraduate, Graduate and Postgraduate Students)
The Annual Grants Program is open to conservationists residing in primate range countries who do applied biodiversity research, public or environmental health work, or locally rooted conservation action. The page says graduate students, early-career professionals, collaborative partnerships and NGOs are strongly encouraged to apply.
Undergraduate students. The page does not specifically mention undergraduates. It refers to “student Principal Investigators” without defining a level. If you are an undergraduate, email the Foundation before investing time in a proposal, and consider partnering with a graduate student, lecturer or NGO.
Graduate and master’s students. You are explicitly encouraged to apply. Student applicants need two letters of support, so start early on those.
Postgraduate and PhD students. You are also a strong fit, especially if your fieldwork could be adapted into a focused, locally useful project. Keep in mind that this is applied conservation, so the proposal should be about real-world results.
Early-career professionals and NGO staff. If you work at a conservation group, wildlife authority, community organization or health program, you are exactly who the Foundation names. You don’t need to be a student.
Non-residents. The program is aimed at those living in primate range countries. If you live elsewhere, check eligibility with the Foundation before applying.
TDARFAC Grants Eligibility Criteria
Here is what the official page and template say. Confirm against the current guidelines.
Who
- Conservationists residing in primate range countries
- Doing applied biodiversity research, public or environmental health work, or locally rooted conservation action
- Graduate students, early-career professionals, collaborative partnerships and NGOs are strongly encouraged
- Organizations may apply, but a named individual must lead the project and be responsible for reporting
The project
- Must align with the Foundation’s mission and at least one core objective (capacity building, amplifying voices, partnering with local communities)
- Must show a clear connection to non-human primate conservation. Projects may focus on primates directly, or on related areas such as biodiversity, health, habitat, community engagement, education or policy, if they can reasonably contribute to primate conservation outcomes
- Must fit the grant type: six months or less for up to $5,000, longer for up to $10,000
Format requirements
- Written in English
- Use the official TDARFAC 2027 template (submissions that don’t follow the format will not be reviewed)
- Word document or PDF, under 1 GB
- No personally identifying information inside the proposal, because review is double-blind
- Student applicants submit two letters of support
What I couldn’t confirm
- A list of eligible countries (the page just says “primate range countries”)
- A list of excluded project types
- Rules on indirect costs
The 2027 “Special Year”: Conservation Masterminds Priority
The page says 2027 is a special funding year. Members of the February 2027 Conservation Masterminds cohort get priority consideration. This is not guaranteed funding, no funds are reserved for them, and they must still apply through the public process. If you are not in that cohort, you can still apply, but be aware that some applicants may get priority.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Confirm your fit
Check that you reside in a primate range country, your project links clearly to primate conservation, and it matches one or more of the three core objectives.
Tip: If your project isn’t directly about primates, spell out how it will contribute to primate conservation outcomes. Don’t make reviewers guess.
Step 2: Choose your grant type
Decide whether you need a short pilot (six months or less, up to $5,000) or a longer project (up to $10,000).
Tip: A tightly scoped pilot is often more realistic for a first-time applicant than an ambitious long-term project.
Step 3: Download the official 2027 template
The template is available on the grants page. Each section has a word limit, and the limits exclude the title, references and budget.
Tip: Draft in a plain document first, then paste into the template, so you can check word counts.
Step 4: Write your proposal
The template includes these sections (word limits as shown in the template):
- Project Summary (no word limit): title, country, site, focal species or ecosystem, IUCN Red List status, funding requested, duration
- Abstract (250 words)
- Introduction and Objectives (350 words), with 3 to 5 measurable objectives
- Animal Welfare and Permits (200 words)
- Methods (350 words)
- Conservation Impact and Innovation (800 words)
- Capacity Building and Local Partnerships (200 words)
- Ethical Considerations (200 words)
- Data Management and Sharing Plan (150 words)
- Anticipated Challenges and Mitigation Strategies (200 words)
- Timeline (250 words, Gantt-chart style)
- Funding Sources (200 words)
- Project Budget and Justification (one page)
- References Cited (two pages)
Tip: The longest allowance, 800 words, is for Conservation Impact and Innovation. That tells you where reviewers want depth.
Step 5: Remove identifying information
Reviews are double-blind. Your name, institution and personal details go only in the online form.
Tip: Check document properties, headers, footers, acknowledgments and file metadata.
Step 6: Secure letters of support (students only)
Student Principal Investigators need two letters. Ask referees early.
Step 7: Complete the online application form and upload
The form requires a Google Account. Upload your proposal and any letters at the end.
Tip: The template asks for the file name format Lastname_ProjectTitle_TDARFAC2027. Since this includes your surname and the review is double-blind, ask the Foundation how to handle that before submitting.
Ready to apply? Apply for TDARFAC grants here
Step 8: Review and decision
All eligible proposals go through double-blind review against these criteria: scientific rigor, feasibility, alignment with the mission and core objectives, potential conservation impact, and clarity and measurability of outcomes. The page does not state when decisions are announced.
Required Documents Checklist
- Proposal on the official TDARFAC 2027 template, in English
- Word document or PDF, under 1 GB, with no identifying information
- All supporting documents combined with the proposal into a single English-language file (per the template)
- Budget table showing unit cost in local currency and USD, quantity, totals and justification, with the exchange rate, its date and its source
- A checkbox confirmation that all expenses are directly related to project activities
- Animal welfare and permit details (projects involving capture or sedation must send a protocol signed by two veterinarians directly to the Foundation)
- Two letters of support (students only)
- A Google Account to access the online form
- File named in the required format, once you have confirmed how to handle anonymity
Important Deadlines and Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Call opens | 10 December 2026 |
| Application deadline | 8 January 2027, 23:59 Central Standard Time |
- Lagos time: 23:59 CST on 8 January falls in the early morning of 9 January in Nigeria (around 07:00 WAT). Don’t rely on that conversion. Submit at least a day early.
- The call opens in less than two months. That gives you time to build a solid proposal, collect letters and talk to local partners.
- Decision date and award date are not stated on the page I reviewed.
- After the award: final reports are due within six months of project completion.
What Recipients Must Do After Funding
Knowing the obligations helps you plan realistically. Starting with the 2027 cycle, recipients must:
- Set and monitor KPI targets, maintain an issue tracker, and complete and update a risk assessment
- Submit a final report within six months of project completion, in English, either as an 800 to 1,300-word written report or a 2 to 4-minute video (video is preferred), with at least three high-resolution, captioned photos
- Complete a self-assessment (the Foundation also runs its own outcome evaluations)
- Include this acknowledgment in publications and presentations that use grant-supported data: “This research was supported by an Applied Conservation Grant from the Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating it as a scholarship. It funds projects, not tuition.
- Leaving out the primate link. If reviewers can’t see how your work supports primate conservation, it’s a weak fit.
- Putting your name inside the proposal. Double-blind means double-blind.
- Ignoring word limits or the template. Non-compliant proposals may not be reviewed.
- Vague objectives. The template asks for 3 to 5 measurable objectives. “Raise awareness” isn’t measurable.
- A shaky budget. Missing exchange rates, unrelated expenses or unclear justification all hurt.
- Forgetting permits and animal welfare.
- Late letters. Students need two.
- Overpromising. A $5,000 pilot can’t solve a country-wide problem.
- Waiting for the last hour. Google Forms, uploads and time zones all cause trouble.
Insider Tips to Improve Your Chances
These are practical suggestions based on the published criteria, not official rules.
- Write to the five criteria. Scientific rigor, feasibility, alignment, impact and measurable outcomes are your scorecard.
- Show local leadership. Name community members, local institutions and how they shape the project.
- Make your impact measurable. Use numbers, such as hectares monitored, community members trained or surveys completed.
- Plan for risks honestly. The Anticipated Challenges section is a chance to show maturity.
- Be specific about the budget. Itemize and justify.
- Use the writing resources. The grants page links to grant-writing guides, including TDARFAC’s own research and writing tips (also in Malagasy).
- Get an outside reader. Ask someone who doesn’t know your project to check clarity.
- Study past recipients on the Foundation’s “Our Grantees” page to see the scale of projects funded.
- Learn from the feedback. If you’re not funded, the feedback you receive can make next year’s application stronger.
- Pair this with other funding. See our guide to Conservation, Food & Health Foundation grants for larger project funding.
Frequently Asked Questions About TDARFAC Grants
Are TDARFAC grants scholarships?
No. They are project grants and do not pay tuition.
How much can I get?
Up to $5,000 for projects of six months or less, and up to $10,000 for longer projects.
Who can apply?
Conservationists residing in primate range countries doing applied biodiversity, public or environmental health, or locally rooted conservation work. Graduate students, early-career professionals, partnerships and NGOs are strongly encouraged.
Can I apply if my project isn’t directly about primates?
Possibly, if it can reasonably contribute to primate conservation outcomes (for example habitat, community engagement, education or policy). You must show that link clearly.
Can undergraduates apply?
The page doesn’t say. Ask the Foundation first.
Do students need recommendation letters?
Yes. Student Principal Investigators submit two letters of support. Others do not need letters.
Who receives the money?
A named individual Principal Investigator or project lead, who is responsible for the award and reporting.
What language?
English only.
What file format?
Word or PDF, under 1 GB, using the official template.
Do I need a Google Account?
Yes, to complete the online form.
Is review anonymous?
Yes, review is double-blind, so keep identifying information out of the proposal.
Will I get feedback?
Yes. Reviewer feedback is shared with all applicants.
When is the deadline?
The call opens 10 December 2026 and closes 8 January 2027 at 23:59 Central Standard Time.
What reports are required?
A final report within six months of project completion (a written report or a video), plus KPI tracking, an issue tracker and a risk assessment.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
TDARFAC grants are modest in size but rich in opportunity, especially for local conservationists who understand their landscapes better than any outsider can. The application is demanding, with strict formatting and a long list of sections, but that work forces you to build a clear, realistic project plan.
Between now and December:
- Confirm that you reside in a primate range country and that your project links to primate conservation.
- Choose between a pilot (up to $5,000) and a longer project (up to $10,000).
- Line up referees if you’re a student.
- Talk to local partners and gather budget quotes.
- Download the template when the call opens and draft early.
- Submit well before the 8 January deadline.
Ready to start? Apply for TDARFAC grants here
Even if you’re not selected this time, the discipline of writing a clear conservation plan, and the feedback you receive, will carry forward. Keep going.
A note from the author: This guide is based on the Foundation’s official grants page and 2027 proposal template as of 16 October 2026. Dates, requirements and priorities can change, and I may have missed updates. Please double-check everything on the official website and in the current template before you apply.