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Ecosystem Profile: Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot Frequently Asked Questions Grievance Mechanism How to apply for CEPF Phase IV RIT Contacts

Grant Size and Duration 

What is the upper limit for the size of grants?
Small grants are those for funding amounts up to US$50,000. Large grants are those for funding amounts between US$50,000 to US$250,000. We prefer that budgets are made to reflect the expected cost of the work, rather than aiming to create a project that suits the maximum possible grant size.

What is the maximum duration of projects funded by CEPF?
This will be outlined in each Call for Letters of Inquiry (proposals). In practice, they are usually 1-2 years in length, and large grants may be for longer periods where needed.  
 

Organisational Eligibility 

The organisation that I work for is not yet legally registered. Can I apply for funding?
No. Organisations applying for funding must have some form of legal registration (details of registration will vary by country).

What can we do if we are not legally registered?
You could work in collaboration with a registered organisation on a project seeking to build the capacity of NGOs by securing their official registration. 

The organisation I work for is legally registered but does not have a bank account in its own name (it uses a personal bank account). Is this a problem?
This is a problem because the use of personal bank accounts to manage project funds represents an unacceptable financial risk. To receive funding, a legally registered organisation must have a bank account in the name of the organisation.  

Are small grants only available to local NGOs?
No. Small grants are available to all eligible organisations.

Are large grants only available to international organisations?
No. Large grants are available to all eligible organisations.

I work for a university. It operates independently from government but is a public body. Can I apply for funding?
Public universities are typically eligible for funding. However, this varies across CEPF regions. To be eligible for funding, an organisation must be able to demonstrate that it has a legal personality independent of any government agency or sector. It must have the authority to apply for and receive private funds, and must not be in a position to assert a claim of sovereign immunity.

The following questions may help you determine this:

  • Does the organisation have private (as opposed to appropriated) sources of funds?
  • Can the organisation open and maintain a separate bank account for private funding?
  • Will CEPF or any of its funding sources have access to books and records in order to conduct a full project financial audit?
  • If CEPF had to disallow costs, is the organisation legally permitted to reimburse CEPF for such disallowed costs?
  • Can the organisation subject itself to binding arbitration to resolve disputes?

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact the Regional Implementation Team (RIT) at [email protected].

I work for a private company. Can I apply for funding?
Yes. Private companies are considered civil society organisations by CEPF. However, the company must not take any indirect costs/overheads/management support percentage, etc. Compensation for staff time must simply be salaries and must not incorporate any fee. The company should be prepared to share financial documentation if it is required by the CEPF financial risk assessment.

Can I apply for funding as an individual, not connected to an organisation?
No. CEPF funding is not available to individuals. You must apply through a legally registered organisation.

I work for local/regional government. Can I apply for funding?
No. Government entities are not eligible to receive CEPF funding.

Strategic Directions

I find the language of the Strategic Directions quite hard to understand. Do you have a simple summary?

Strategic Direction 1: Safeguard Priority Globally Threatened Species by Mitigating Major Threats and Restoring Wild Populations (5 Investment Priorities)
Many globally threatened species cannot recover without focused efforts to sustain long term conservation programmes and reestablishing viable wild populations. Species champions are needed at community level to implement local action for priority species. Improved knowledge is also needed by supporting ecological research, long-term monitoring and partnerships that bridge science, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and citizen science to ensure that conservation actions are based on robust and inclusive evidence.

Projects must target one or more of the priority species listed in Table 32 of the Ecosystem Profile, but are not geographically restricted to the priority sites and corridors.

Strategic Direction 2: Mitigate Health Risks and Biodiversity Loss by Addressing Illegal Wildlife Trade, Unsustainable Consumption and Spillover Risks at the Wildlife–Livestock–Human Interface within a One Health Framework (5 Investment Priorities)
Zoonotic disease risks linked to wildlife trade and consumption are well documented in the hotspot and pose major threats to human health, livestock and wildlife. One Health is an integrated approach that recognises the interconnected health of people, animals and ecosystems and promotes cross-sector collaboration to address shared risks. Support is needed for enforcement agencies to break through wildlife trade networks, and improved coordination between sectors and stakeholders to address illegal wildlife trade is essential. Work is also needed with private and state-owned companies to reduce the risk that their platforms are used to facilitate wildlife trafficking. Evidence based campaigns are needed to raise awareness of the health and conservation risks and mobilise public participation in detecting and reporting wildlife crime. Research and action are needed to understand and address linkages between biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and the emergence of zoonotic diseases.

Projects can be undertaken anywhere in the Hotspot.

Strategic Direction 3: Strengthen the Management Effectiveness of PCAs and the Engagement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in their Management and Governance to Improve Conservation at Priority Sites (4 Investment Priorities)
Protected and Conserved Areas (PCA) remain a cornerstone of biodiversity conservation in the Indo-Burma Hotspot but shortcomings in their effectiveness constrain what is being achieved for conservation. Strengthening the management effectiveness of PCAs and the engagement of CSOs and IPLCs in their management and governance will directly address several of the highest-ranked threats to area-based outcomes: hunting, logging, crops and fishing. IPLCs and CSO need to be empowered to participate in the governance of PCAs and to strengthen their rights and opportunities in broader resource management, and also to lead and sustain Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs). The effectiveness of PCAs needs to be enhanced and more accredited training programmes are needed. Furthermore the KBA network across the Hotspot need updating using the IUCN Global Standard.

Projects must focus on one or more of the priority sites in listed in Table 31 in the Ecosystem Profile. 

Strategic Direction 6: Implement Scalable Approaches for Integrating Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Nature-based Solutions into Development Planning in Priority Corridors (3 investment priorities)
Ecosystem fragmentation across the Indo-Burma Hotspot is weakening ecological integrity, threatening globally threatened species, reducing climate resilience and undermining essential ecosystem services such as water regulation, flood mitigation and soil stabilisation. Development policies and their impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services need to be assessed, and alternatives promoted. Ecosystem restoration is needed at scale, and replicable models are needed to demonstrate success and wider replication. The media needs to be engaged to increase awareness and inform public debate, and influence decisions made to mainstream biodiversity into development planning. 

Projects must focus on one of the five priority corridors listed in Table 31 in the Ecosystem Profile (Hala Bala Forests, Mekong River and Major Tributaries, Northern Plains Seasonally Inundated Forests, Tonle Sap Lake and Inundation Zone and Sino-Vietnamese Limestone) or one of the 24 Myanmar limestone karst KBAs. 

Strategic Direction 9: Support the Establishment, Capacity and Organisational Development of Civil Society Organizations to Work on Biodiversity, Communities and Livelihoods at Regional, National, Local and Grassroots Levels (4 Investment Priorities)
Despite growing recognition, investment in civil society remains limited. Supporting the growth of existing domestic CSOs and supporting the establishment of new ones, especially IPLC-based and for underrepresented groups, is central to achieving sustainable outcomes. This strategic direction places renewed emphasis on targeted, equitable and sustained investment in civil society, moving beyond short-term training toward long-term support for organisational development that addresses issues of governance and financial sustainability. Networking and knowledge exchange platforms are needed to enable collective civil society responses to priority and emerging threats. Support is needed for organisational development of CSOs, as are mechanisms to match technical expertise with the capacity development needs of CSOs and IPLCs, and start-up support for new grassroots and IPLC-led organisations.

Projects can be undertaken anywhere in the Hotspot.

The work I want to do relates to more than one Strategic Direction (SD). How can I explain this in my Letter of Inquiry (LoI)?
Your LoI must be aimed at one single SD. This must be stated in the LoI under the section “Strategic Direction from the CEPF Ecosystem Profile.” However, we appreciate that in reality, most projects will have impacts that relate to more than one SD. 

What will happen if I submit a LoI focusing on multiple SDs?
If you submit a LoI that states multiple SDs under the item “Strategic Direction from the CEPF Ecosystem Profile,” the RIT will contact you and ask you to select one. If you do not select one SD at this stage, your LoI will not be considered for funding.

Does my project have to focus on one Investment Priority (IP)?
Your project does not have to focus on one IP. Some funded projects will relate to one IP. Some may relate to more than one. LoIs will be reviewed and evaluated for their relevance to the priorities of CEPF (among other criteria). All other things being equal, LoIs that closely relate to one or more IP are more likely to be funded than LoIs that do not.

The call for Letters of Inquiry (LoI) states that projects must relate to only certain SDs. What about the other SDs mentioned in the ecosystem profile? How can I apply for funding under these?
Although the Ecosystem Profile 2025 update identifies 13 Strategic Directions for the Indo-Burma Hotspot, CEPF only provides funding for six SDs. During each Call for Letters of Inquiry, CEPF and IUCN will indicate which of the eligible SDs are open for the submission of LoIs. The other SDs are priorities for other sources of funding from government and other donors. 

I want to propose a project for a species-focussed, but the species I work in is not listed on Table 32 of the Ecosystem Profile. Can I apply under SD1 anyway?
No. Projects funded under SD1 can only relate to the species listed in Table 32 of the Ecosystem Profile (page 232). However, your work might be eligible for funding under a different SD. For example, if the species is threatened by illegal wildlife trade, you could write a LoI that focusses on SD2. If you want to protect this species through building the capacity of civil society organisations, you could write a LoI that focusses on SD9.

But I think that this species should be a CEPF priority. Can species be added to Table 28?
The species listed in Table 32 were chosen through a priority-setting exercise carried out in the development of the Ecosystem Profile 2025 update. The profile also includes a list of “Provisional Priority Species and Genera for CEPF Investment” (Appendix 7). Any of these species could become eligible for CEPF investment if their global threat status was reassessed as globally threatened during the five‐year investment phase.

I want funding for work relating to SD3: “Strengthen the management effectiveness of PCAs and the engagement of CSOs and IPLCs in their management and governance to improve conservation at priority sites” How can I find out if my site is in a priority site?
There is a list of priority sites (all Key Biodiversity Areas) in Table 31 (page 228) of the Ecosystem Profile. In addition, Figures 7 to 12c (pages 59 to 80) include the locations of all the KBAs in the Hotspot. The 97 priority KBAs are all found within the CEPF priority corridors (Hala Bala Forests, Mekong River and Major Tributaries, Myanmar Limestone Karst*, Northern Plains Seasonally Inundated Forests, Sino-Vietnamese Limestone, and Tonle Sap Lake and Inundation Zone).

CEPF Priorities

Can work funded by CEPF only focus on the CEPF priority species?
No. Work funded by CEPF can address any species in the hotspot. The only SD that imposes restrictions on species is SD1: “Safeguard Priority Globally Threatened Species by Mitigating Major Threats and Restoring Wild Populations.” Work under Strategic Directions 2, 3, 6, or 9 can relate to any species as long as it appropriately addresses one of more of the Investment Priorities under the relevant Strategic Direction.

Can work funded by CEPF only focus on the priority corridors?
No. Work funded by CEPF can be carried out anywhere in the Hotspot. The only SD that requires a focus on the priority corridors is SD6: “Implement scalable approaches for integrating biodiversity, ecosystem services and Nature-based Solutions into development planning in priority corridors”. 

Can work funded by CEPF only focus on the priority KBAs?
No. Work funded by CEPF can be carried out anywhere in the Hotspot. The only SD that requires a focus on priority KBAs is SD3: “Strengthen the management effectiveness of PCAs and the engagement of CSOs and IPLCs in their management and governance to improve conservation at priority sites.”

Can work funded by CEPF only focus on the Hotspot as defined by CEPF?
Yes.

Safeguards 

I ticked “yes” to one or more of the safeguard questions on the LoI template. Does this mean that my project is less likely to be funded?
No. Triggering safeguards is not a problem. Projects that trigger safeguards are not less likely to be funded unless they include ineligible activities. The RIT or CEPF will contact you if further steps are necessary to respond to the safeguards, and we may ask that you make some revisions to your LoI.

Language

Do all Letters of Inquiry (LoI) have to be submitted in English?
Large grant (US$50,000 to US$250,000) LoIs must be submitted in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish. Small grant (up to US$50,000) LoIs can be submitted in English, or in local languages (Khmer, Chinese, Lao, Myanmar, Thai, or Vietnamese).

Letter of Inquiry (LoI) Submission 

Can I ask the RIT to look at a draft of my LoI before I submit it?
Of course. RIT members are available to discuss concepts, answer questions, look at drafts before submission, and give suggestions. RIT members are particularly willing to answer questions about the eligibility of organisations, and the relevance of proposed work to CEPF priorities and SDs. As the submission deadline approaches, however, RIT members are likely to be very busy and may not have time to look at draft LoI in any detail.

Can I speak to a member of the RIT in person?
Yes. The RIT has members based in Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Vientiane (Lao PDR), Hanoi (Viet Nam), Yangon (Myanmar), and Beijing (China). If you are in one of these cities, we would be happy to speak with you in person. To arrange a meeting, please contact: [email protected]. If you are based elsewhere in the hotspot, an RIT member would be happy to speak with you over the phone or a an online calls platform (e.g. Microsoft Teams).

Can I submit my LoI as a hard copy (or on a disc, on a flash drive, etc.)?
No. LoI must be submitted electronically. LoI submitted as hard copies or as physical media will not be considered for funding.

Should I submit any accompanying documents with my LoI?
It is not necessary to submit any accompanying documents with your LoI. We will contact you if we need any additional documentation.

What email address should I submit my LoI to?
Small grant LoIs should be submitted to [email protected]. Large grant LoIs should be submitted online at this https://conservationgrants.force.com/

Will I receive a confirmation email that my LoI has been received?
Yes. Small grant LoI submission will be confirmed by the RIT. Large grant LoI submissions must apply through CEPF’s online portal, ConservationGrants. First-time users will need to register to create an account. Applicants encountering any technical difficulties with the online portal should contact [email protected].

I submitted my LoI earlier today, but I haven’t received a confirmation email. What should I do?
If you submitted your LoI in the week preceding or the day of the deadline, there may be a delay confirming receipt. The RIT receives a large number of LoI, and it takes time to confirm receipt of them all. If you have still not received a confirmation email a number of days after the deadline, you may contact the RIT again to confirm receipt.

I submitted my LoI to the wrong address (for example a large grant LoI was sent to [email protected]). What will happen?
The RIT and CEPF Secretariat are in constant communication. We will make sure that your LoI reaches the right people.

I have submitted my LoI a few minutes after the deadline. Will my LoI still be considered for funding?
Unfortunately, we will not be able to consider your LoI. We can only accept LoIs that are submitted before the deadline. We strongly recommend that LoIs are submitted well before the deadline.

My submission email bounced back to me. What should I do?
The RIT is not responsible for email failures of any kind. This is one reason that we recommend that LoIs are submitted a few days before the deadline. If your email did not reach the RIT before the deadline, it will not be considered for funding. However, you can re-submit at the next call for proposals.

LoI Review 

What happens during the LoI review process?
All LOIs submitted will first be screened to confirm their eligibility. Eligible LOIs will then undergo preliminary reviews utilising the criteria mentioned above. Based on these reviews, shortlisted applications will be further considered during a meeting of the National Advisory Committees (NAC) established in each of the Indo-Burma countries. Considering the recommendations of the NAC, decisions will be made on projects to receive funding.

How long will the review process take?
We are typically able to inform applicants of our decisions within 6 months after LoI submission.

Against what criteria will LoIs be evaluated?
LoIs will be evaluated for:

  • are the closest fit to the investment priorities eligible for support under this call;
  • have a high likelihood of achieving their stated objectives and contribute strongly to sustainable conservation outcomes;
  • build upon past initiatives and complement ongoing initiatives;
  • represent good value for money; and,
  • demonstrate the institutional capacity and experience necessary to carry out the work. 

Conflicts of Interests and Complaints 

The RIT is led by IUCN. Will IUCN Members be given preferential treatment?
No, IUCN Members are not given preferential treatment. All LoIs submitted by IUCN Members will be subject to an external review to ensure that there is no conflict of interest.

Can IUCN apply for CEPF grants in the Indo-Burma Hotspot?
No. Because IUCN is leading the RIT its country offices etc. are not eligible for CEPF grants.

I would like to submit a complaint about the RIT and/or the grant-making process. Who can I contact?
If you are unsatisfied with the response, please direct your concerns to the IUCN Project Complaints Management System ([email protected]) or the CEPF Executive Director ([email protected]). (Please note that neither one of these are members of the RIT.) 

If you are not satisfied with the response, or if you wish to file another complaint related to the administration of a CEPF project of grant funds, a complaint may be submitted via the Conservation International (CI) Ethics Hotline. The CI Ethics Hotline consists of a toll-free telephone line (+1-866-294-8674) and a secure web portal that allows grievances to be made anonymously. CI will promptly investigate any complaints submitted to the CI Ethics Hotline. CI will treat complaints as confidential to the extent possible, with the understanding that confidentiality may not be maintained where identification is required by law or to enable CI or law enforcement to conduct an adequate investigation.

For more information on CEPF grants; https://www.cepf.net/grants