The Darwin Initiative is a UK government grants scheme that helps to protect biodiversity and the natural environment through locally based projects worldwide.
Applications to all schemes is through the Flexi-Grant application portal.
There are some supporting documents specific to each scheme, but there are also some general documents and templates which applicable across numerous schemes. Before applying, please read the relevant guidance:
Budget forms – N.B. the eligible budget amounts for projects under each scheme varies. Please use the appropriate template for the budget you are requesting. There is a separate template for Darwin Extra which can be found below.
There is a two-stage application process Darwin Initiative Main projects. Darwin Initiative Main projects should be a minimum of £100,000 and no more than £600,000.
Once you have read the guidance, complete the Darwin Initiative Round 28 – Stage 1 application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal. For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Round 28 – Stage 1 application form useful.
If you are invited to Stage 2, you will be asked to complete the Stage 2 application form on the Flexi-Grant portal. For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Round 28 – Stage 2 application form useful.
All other relevant templates you will be required to complete as part of your application can be found above, with Darwin Main specific templates below, or downloaded from within Flexi-Grant.
When to apply
The timetable for Round 28 for Darwin Initiative Main is set out below:
Who can apply
Please refer to the guidance for the list of countries eligible for the scheme.
The newly introduced Extra, Innovation and Capability & Capacity schemes have been introduced for Round 28 of the Darwin Initiative.
All applications for the new schemes must be submitted via Flexi-Grant by Monday 6 December 2021.
Please note that all new schemes are single-stage. Further details on each of the new schemes, who can apply and how to submit your application can be found in the relevant supplemental guidance document.
When to apply
The timetable for the new Darwin Initiative schemes under Round 28 is set out below:
Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity applications will offer competitive grants between £50,000 – £200,000 to support the capability and capacity within civil society, research institutes and organisations of eligible countries to develop and deliver effective and successful poverty-biodiversity projects. They can include structured training, organisational development, network-building and evidence gathering elements.
Once you have read the guidance, complete the Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal. For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity form useful. Other necessary documents have been provided above, with Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity specific documents below:
Darwin Initiative Innovation will offer competitive grants between £10,000 – £200,000 for testing new approaches and developing a stronger understanding of barriers to scaling. Projects can take higher levels of risk, including operational, delivery and contextual risk, in order to test and pilot innovative ways to tackle the biodiversity conservation-poverty reduction challenge.
Once you have read the guidance, complete the Darwin Initiative Innovation application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal. For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Innovation form useful. Other necessary documents have been provided above, with Darwin Initiative Innovation specific documents below:
Competitive Darwin Initiative Extra grants between £600,000 – £5,000,000 are expected to strongly demonstrate the potential to scale further after completion and go on to successfully secure large-scale support (or mainstreaming) from elsewhere.
Active Darwin Initiative Main projects are able to apply prior to completion in order to allow, if successful, a scaling of activities under Darwin Initiative Extra.
Once you have read the guidance, complete the Darwin Initiative Extra application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal. For drafting purposes, you may find the Darwin Initiative Extra form useful. Other necessary documents have been provided above, with Darwin Initiative Extra specific documents below:
