Conservation by Design Research Program - 2008

2008-9 Research needs identified within conservation area plans
Research Proposal/Grant Application Outline 
Research Proposal/Grant Application Cover Sheet

The Conservation Science Program of The Nature Conservancy of Texas initiated the Conservation by Design Research Program (CBDRP) in 2002.  This effort is a continuation of the Conservancy’s commitment to supporting conservation science in Texas. In combination with our earlier Small Grants Program, the Conservancy has assisted in supporting over 130 studies and has provided almost $250,000 to these efforts. Conservation by Design is the primary strategy adopted by The Nature Conservancy for carrying out its mission of protecting the lands and waters needed to ensure survival of the plants, animals, and natural communities representing the diversity of life on earth. Conservation by Design aims to develop effective conservation tools that will achieve tangible, lasting results at scales great enough to ensure the viability of species and ecosystems. CBDRP funds will be used to advance and improve the scientific work of the Conservancy and improve our ecological management and restoration of important conservation lands.

Focus of the CBDRP

The Nature Conservancy is a science-based organization. With a very finite pool of resources available to conserve remaining unique landscapes and habitats, we must apply good science to every decision we make.  Not to do so, would result in poor decisions and poor investments that won’t support wildlife and their habitats over the long term.  To follow are the focus areas for this research program:

• Advancing tools, methods, and/or knowledge important to The Nature Conservancy's conservation process, especially related to adaptive management, conservation of large-scale sites, ecological systems, and measures of success. Proposed projects may include intensive work at one site, work at multiple sites, or comparative evaluations of studies by other scientists across many sites.
• Initiating baseline inventory, research or monitoring projects that address a critical need at a priority Nature Conservancy project or area. 
• Studies which will fill critical taxonomic, socioeconomic, community or ecological system data gaps identified in conservation action plans (CAP) or ecoregional assessments.

Strong preference will be given to proposals that meet the following criteria:

• Apply directly to areas that have been identified as integral to ecoregional portfolios (i.e. landscape-scale projects and high priority areas). 
• Innovative approaches which elevate the scientific basis and rigor for The Nature Conservancy’s work. 
• Projects that propose to disseminate results and lessons learned across several areas and with many partners. 
• Directly address a critical threat or advances a key strategy identified in a recently completed or updated conservation action plan. 
• Improve the scientific rigor of identifying and measuring the ecological viability (integrity) of conservation targets.

Guidelines:

1. Anyone may apply. Proposals will be judged on: 1) adherence to the concepts of Conservation By Design, 2) scientific merit, 3) feasibility, 4) investigator qualifications, 5) a minimum 1:1 match relative to the grant request, and 6) contributions to specific needs of The Nature Conservancy of Texas. Projects will be considered in the context of each ecoregion, therefore, investigators are encouraged to expand focus across political boundaries. For example, there are no restrictions on working in Mexico, assuming the investigator possesses all proper permits and partnerships for conducting biological work there.
2. The maximum single proposal request will be $3,000. Multi-year projects will be considered but no commitment for funding can be made beyond 1 year. 
3. Field travel, student stipend, equipment (with qualifications), supplies, and publication costs are eligible for support. No funding will be granted to reimburse overhead or faculty salaries, although these items may be used as match. Other sources of funding already secured should be indicated in the budget summary and identified as matching funds. 
4. A final report in hard-copy and digital form detailing the activities supported by the grant and verifying that the CBDRP funds were used as intended will be required at the end of the project. 
5. Feel free to contact Jim Bergan (jbergan@tnc.org), Director of Science and Stewardship, if you are unsure if your idea fits within this RFP's guidelines.  Data needs identified in ecoregional plans and conservation area plans can also be found at this web site.

Schedule:

November 14, 2008 -  Request for Proposals Circulated.
December 12, 2008 - Deadline for Proposals (no exceptions)
January 5, 2009 - Notification of successful applicants

Proposal Format:

The basic proposal outline will be: Title Page, Narrative, Curriculum Vitae (resume). Proposals should not exceed 11 pages in length, including cover page, references, and budgets and supporting materials (excluding curriculum vitae/resumes). Because of the short turnaround time and number of proposals, most appendices and attached documents are not read and the review of the proposal will be focused only on the 11 pages of material requested. Format: 12 point font, 1.5 spacing. All submissions will be in hard copy (5 copies) and electronic format either by e-mail or submission of CD or other appropriate media. Proposals must be in MS Word format.

Each proposal must have an attached cover page. Please be advised that if you receive funding, the contact information, abstract and full proposal will be published as is on the Conservancy’s website.