The Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund (SDCBF), established by Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Rhode Island Zoological Society in 1989, supports conservation programs that protect threatened wildlife and habitats worldwide.
Funding is directed towards field studies and other projects that demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. This includes development of techniques that can be used in a natural environment, environmental education programs, and breeding programs that stress an integrative approach to conservation. Projects that involve in-country collaborators or align with RWPZoo’s conservation portfolio receive the highest funding priority.
What Projects Are Supported?
The grant supports projects focused on:
- Conservation of threatened wildlife and habitats
- Biodiversity and ecosystem conservation
- Field-based conservation research
- Development of conservation techniques that can be applied in natural environments
- Environmental education programmes
- Conservation breeding programmes
- Multidisciplinary approaches to conservation
- Projects involving local or in-country conservation partners
Projects must demonstrate clear conservation value and should contribute to protecting wildlife, habitats or biodiversity.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be affiliated with an organisation capable of receiving grant funds, such as an NGO or university
- Be working on a conservation project that meets the fund’s objectives
- Submit the application in English
There are no nationality restrictions, meaning applicants from outside the United States can apply. However, funding is awarded to organisations rather than individuals. International applicants may be required to complete a financial verification before funds are released.
Roger Williams Park Zoo does not have to be a project collaborator for an application to be eligible.
Project Eligibility
- Applicants must be affiliated with an organization (e.g., NGO, university) capable of receiving funds. Funding is awarded to organizations, not individuals.
- There are no nationality restrictions for applicants.
- International awardees may be required to complete a brief phone-based verification of financial information before payment can be issued.
- All applications must be submitted in English.
- Two letters of recommendation must be signed, and dated within the past year. Letters found to be written with AI‑generated material will be deemed ineligible.
- Roger Williams Park Zoo does not need to be a collaborator for eligibility.
- Expenses for project activities completed prior to funding are not eligible.
- Projects involving highly invasive or terminal research, or those requiring the collection/vouchering of specimens, will not be considered.
- Partial project funding may be considered if:
- A specific component is independently supported and feasible, or
- Additional funding from other sources is secured or pending.
- Projects previously funded by SDCBF are eligible for a second year of support, provided:
- A new application is submitted according to guidelines, and
- A progress report from the first year is included.
- AI Use Policy: To reduce the environmental impacts associated with generative artificial intelligence (AI), applicants may not use AI tools to draft, edit, or generate content for any portion of the application. Any application containing AI‑generated material will be considered ineligible. Limited use of AI for mechanical tasks (e.g., grammar correction, formatting, data organization) is permitted only if fully disclosed within the application. This policy applies to all materials submitted, including narratives, reports, letters of recommendation, and CVs.
Only complete applications submitted in English will be considered.
Required Application Materials
- Completed application form including literature cited and a detailed budget for the project.
- Curriculum Vitae (two page maximum).
- Two letters of recommendation, each from a different individual familiar with the applicant and the proposal.
- A completed tax form (W-9 or W-8):
- W-9 Form – Required for U.S. citizens or U.S.-based organizations receiving funds. Download IRS W-9 Form
- W-8 Form – Required for non-U.S. individuals or organizations receiving funds; certifies foreign status for tax purposes. Download IRS W-8 Forms
Submission Guidelines
- Please read the Guidelines & Eligibility Form.
- Application deadline: January 1, 2027.
- Award notification: April 15, 2027.
- Funding distribution: Within 60 days of award notification, pending completion of required documentation.
- Progress report due: April 30, 2028 (must include project updates and budgetary expenditures).
- Submission format: All materials should be submitted electronically to SophieDanforth@rwpzoo.org by the deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.
Important Eligibility Notes
The fund does not support projects involving highly invasive or terminal research, or projects requiring the collection or vouchering of specimens.
Expenses for activities completed before funding is awarded are also not eligible.
Previous recipients may apply for a second year of support, provided they submit a new application and include the required progress report.
Why Apply?
This is a strong opportunity for conservation organisations, universities and researchers working to protect threatened species, ecosystems and habitats. The worldwide eligibility and absence of nationality restrictions also make it relevant to conservation organisations working across Africa and other regions outside the United States.
