The Wild Incubator Program

Initiative By

Supported By

India is a megadiversity country, home to several endangered and critically endangered wildlife, and it is crucial that we take action to protect their habitats and prevent further biodiversity loss. The recent Kunming-Montreal Agreement also highlighted the importance of habitat protection and restoration. We are excited to support innovative conservation projects that make a measurable impact, including the Western and Eastern Ghats regions of India.

The “Wild Incubator Program” invites organizations to submit proposals for innovative conservation projects. We are particularly interested in projects that focus human-wildlife interactions, combat wildlife trade and illegal hunting, promote biodiversity conservation and one health, and focus on restoration and rewilding. We believe that conservation solutions that engage with local stakeholders, use strong science, and have compelling storytelling have the greatest potential to create positive change.

2023-24 Wild Incubator Winners

Evaluation of Projects

Proposals were evaluated based on their eligibility, relevance, goals, objectives, methodology, scale, creativity, innovation and potential impacts. Projects that involve lesser-known, data-deficient, and threatened species and habitats were given priority. The proposals were assessed by an eminent jury panel experts in the environmental and social sector.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. The proposal has to be submitted through an organization. No individual proposals will be entertained.
  2. The project cannot be an academic research project (example master’s or doctoral research).
  3. The Organization should be a registered non-profit organization/NGO in India.
  4. Should have 80G and 12A Registrations.

Grant Award

The top five submissions will receive a grant award of Rs 20,00,000 each for a period of one year (FY 2023-24).

Submissions for 2023 are now closed!

Timelines & Milestones

  1. Grant Portal Opens: 15th April, 2023
  2. Grant Portal Closes: 21st May, 2023
  3. Selection Process including submissions of additional documents: 22nd May – 10th June 2023
  4. Grantee Announcement: 22nd June 2023
  5. Project Kickoffs, MoU Signing and Release of 1st Tranche: 10 July 2023
  6. The 2nd Tranche will be released around December 2023 upon completion of 80% of funds and verification of project progress.
Submissions for 2023 are now closed!

For any questions about the program, please write to sumit.arora@cwsindia.org