AOS Conservation Committee

2025 Conservation Grant Application Guidelines

2025 Conservation Grant Application Guidelines 

Purpose

The purpose of AOS Conservation Grants is to promote the conservation and preservation of orchids in every aspect and advance the study of orchids in ways that support their conservation and preservation.

Language

Applications must be submitted in English. Font size 12 in Calibri or Times New Roman. Applications should follow the outline in the Grant Application.

Eligibility

Foreign applicants are required to be associated with and provide a letter of support from an educational institution, government agency, NGO or similar not for profit organization.  Grant monies cannot be wired to private individuals in a foreign country, nor can they be sent as ‘unrestricted’ funds, as the monies are restricted to the purposes described in the application.  US applicants may be affiliated with an institution, agency or organization, or may be private individuals, but individuals who accept funds will receive an IRS 1099 for personal tax liability. Support is available to applicants from around the world and is not restricted to individuals or institutions within the United States. Graduate students with conservation projects and/or interests are encouraged to apply. Travel expenses and salaries may be supported on a case-by-case basis. Membership in the AOS is not required.  Applications involving the removal of orchid plants, parts or seeds from the wild must include a letter of authorization from the appropriate governmental authority and plans for their disposition at the project’s conclusion. 

Amounts Awarded

Grants vary in amount, depending upon the needs and nature of the project, and the potential for securing additional funds from other sources. Typical funding for a single award is up to $5,000, but applications for grants exceeding this amount will be considered. Recipients are REQUIRED to submit an article describing their work to Orchids magazine.  This may either be a popular article suitable for a general audience in Orchids magazine or a scholarly article for the Lindleyana section of Orchids. Recipients are encouraged to submit preliminary articles for publication consideration prior to the project’s conclusion.

Guidelines for Expenses

Grant Duration

The duration of each grant depends upon the particular project. Funds for multi-year grants are paid in annual installments. The maximum duration of support awarded at any one time is 2 years.   Multiyear projects are funded on an annual basis after the required satisfactory progress report has been submitted by March 14 on work from the previous year.

Additional Funding Source(s)

We encourage efforts to secure additional funds from other sources. If you are receiving, have applied for, and/or have secured a grant from another entity for this specific project or a larger project of which this project is a part, please list that organization's name and the amount of support requested or awarded.

Applicant Credentials

Please include in your resumé or CV a summary of previous work (generally 1 page will suffice). Include dates of completion and highlights of accomplishments that demonstrate interest and capability in relation to the proposed project. Please include 1-3 letter(s) of recommendation from mentors, community partners, etc.

Application Period

Applications are considered once each year and must be received by Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -0700). Applicants should be notified of their application status by Monday, June 2, 2025. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Chair of the Conservation Committee with any questions as early as possible. Inquiries sent after March 15 may not be answered in time for the April 1 submission deadline.

Banking Information

The AOS-preferred methods for disbursement of funds is by cheque for projects within continental North America and electronic bank transfer for the rest of the world. The AOS will need the name and address of the payee for applicants within continental North America and, for all other applicants, the name of the bank, the bank’s address, SWIFT code, and branch code, and the appropriate account number or IBAN.

Components in a Budget Sheet for Project Application

Project Budget must be submitted in US dollar amounts. Items (add lines as needed) for each year as applicable:

A. Minor Equipment

B. Nonexpendable Equipment (list items separately; include detail, justification and disposition on project completion).

C. Supplies and Materials

D. Travel (include detail, justification)

E. Other Direct Costs (include details, justification)

TOTAL

 If you have questions, please contact the conservation committee chair well in advance of the application deadline. Completed grant applications with all related and requested materials should be submitted by e-mail as Word or pdf files to the Conservation Committee at conservation_committee@aos.org