Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (15.621)
Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (Assistance Listing 15.621) is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $12.9 million in 48 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $267,927 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $229,938. Half of the 48 awards fell between $115,450 and $400,000, and they ranged from $201 to $749,747.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$12.9 million
- Grant awards48
- Typical award$229,938
- Awarded in FY 2025-$300,000
- Size rank1,433 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants (discretionary)
Key findings
- It is the 1433rd largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 96% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 4 states and territories.
What the program funds
The objectives of this fund are to perpetuate healthy populations of Asian elephants, assist in the conservation and protection of Asian elephants by supporting the conservation programs of Asian elephant range states and the CITES Secretariat, and to provide financial resources for those program.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Any organization or individual with demonstrated experience in Elephas maximus conservation.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Funds provided under this program support projects that will enhance programs for conservation of Elephas maximus by assisting efforts to—(1) implement conservation programs; (2) address the conflicts between humans and elephants that arise from competition for the same habitat; (3) enhance compliance with provisions of CITES and laws of the United States or a foreign country that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of Elephas maximus or regulate the use and management of Elephas maximus habitat; (4) develop sound scientific information on the condition of Elephas maximus habitat, Elephas maximus population numbers and trends, or the threats to such habitat, numbers, or trends; or (5) promote cooperative projects on those topics with other foreign governments, affected local communities, nongovernmental organizations, or others in the private sector.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Variable amounts. Generally $50,000 or less. Higher amounts may be requested.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: No new projects were funded in FY25.Fiscal Year2026: No new projects were funded in FY26.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (15.621) awarded $12.9 million across 48 grant awards, an average of $267,927 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Conservation Society | New York | 5 | $2.0 million |
| Wildlife Conservation International Limited | 4 | $1.0 million | |
| Compass Films | 2 | $966,762 | |
| Aaranyak | 2 | $893,066 | |
| National Trust for Nature Conservation | 2 | $888,546 | |
| Trunks & Leaves Inc | California | 2 | $851,397 |
| Centre for Wildlife Studies, Inc. | Maryland | 3 | $606,021 |
| Panthera Corporation | New York | 1 | $600,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund, Inc. | District of Columbia | 2 | $550,000 |
| Research Foundation of the City University of New York | New York | 2 | $519,728 |
| Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt Von 1858 E.V. | 2 | $498,285 | |
| World Wide Fund for Nature-India | 2 | $494,942 | |
| Environmental Investigation Agency UK | 1 | $400,000 | |
| Yayasan Komunitas Untuk Hutan Sumatera | 2 | $376,473 | |
| Smithsonian Institution | District of Columbia | 1 | $299,877 |
| Wildlife Research and Conservation Society | 2 | $293,903 | |
| Wildlife Alliance Inc. | New York | 2 | $279,251 |
| Hutan | 1 | $266,520 | |
| Fauna & Flora International | 2 | $235,223 | |
| Foundation for Ecological Research Advocacy and Learning | 1 | $208,199 |
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 65% of the money, colleges and universities 4.0%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 22 | $8.3 million | 65% |
| Other | 24 | $4.0 million | 31% |
| Colleges and universities | 2 | $519,024 | 4.0% |
By state
1 state has a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. It is New York.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 10 | $3.4 million |
| California | 2 | $851,397 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $849,877 |
| Maryland | 3 | $606,021 |