Proposals are sought for small saiga conservation projects. Eligible projects will:

• Be concerned with the conservation of the saiga antelope in the wild (not in captivity)
• Have a direct and clear impact on the status of the saiga antelope
• Be a maximum of one year in length (to be completed by the end of November 2009)
• Have a budget between US$1000 and US$2,000
• Be clearly self-contained, rather than being a small component of a larger project.
• Be affiliated to the Saiga Conservation Alliance, and bound by the rules of its constitution, and the reporting requirements that are laid out therein.

The project proposal should clearly demonstrate how the project contributes to fulfilling the goals of the Convention on Migratory Species’ Medium Term Work Programme for the saiga antelope. Within this, it can involve any activity (public engagement, research, anti-poaching activities etc). It is hoped that a wide range of projects can be supported, geographically and in terms of conservation actions. There is no requirement to be associated with the SCA in order to submit a proposal, but it would be advisable to discuss proposals with the Steering Committee member in your country before submission.

Please submit the proposal form below (keeping it short - no more than 2 sides of A4) by e-mail as an attachment to the SCA Secretary, Elena Bykova (esipov@sarkor.uz), by 30th September 2008. Proposals can be submitted in Russian or English. Successful applicants will be notified by 15th November 2008. No expenditure incurred before 15th November 2008 or after 30th November 2009 can be refunded.

This Small Grants Programme is supported by the Wildlife Conservation Network. The WCN has final say on whether a project can be funded, and will expect to receive regular reports on progress via the SCA reporting mechanisms. Both the SCA and the WCN should be credited on all publicity for the project.

To enter, please download and complete the proposal form below.