Pre-Proposal Application Deadline January 11, 2008

With generous support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Cleveland Zoological Society, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is pleased to announce a new competitive grants program to support wildlife conservation and research projects in Africa. Annual awards ranging from $1000 - $3500 will be made to conservation and research initiatives involving animals and their habitat, and educational or cultural activities that involve or impact animals and their habitat. Ideal projects will have clear, long-term conservation implications, positively impact local people and create opportunities for capacity building in country. Projects focusing on bushmeat, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, and investigating human-wildlife disease issues are of special interest to the Zoo, and projects specifically dealing with these issues are strongly encouraged to apply.

Proposals requesting funds may include projects in the field or in captivity and funding is provided to projects that are consistent with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's mission "To improve the future for wildlife..."

Examples include:

• Natural history, ecology and habitat studies
• Programs that establish, evaluate or enhance ecotourism, community-based conservation, conservation education, community development, etc.
• Conservation or training workshops, etc.
• Materials, supplies, infrastructure and equipment for in-situ project support
• Projects that improve the management of a species in the wild (in-situ or ex-situ component)