Pacific Islands Conservation Research Association

Eligibility
PICRA strives to support cutting edge programs that are aligned with our mission of preventing extinctions in Pacific Oceania.  Applicants are required to have earned a doctorate from an accredited research institution. Applicants may be required to provide a record of prior research or conservation action as it pertains to the proposed project. Funding is not restricted to United States organizations.

Grant Limits

Grant amounts vary greatly and most range from U.S. $15,000 to $20,000. PICRA funds are intended to function as complementary support, so we encourage applicants to seek additional and concurrent funding from other sources.

Grant Restrictions

No more than 5% of the total grant budget may be used for indirect costs, overhead, or other expenses that are not directly related to research.  Fringe benefits are also prohibited, as are salaries of professionals. Funds may not be used for the construction of permanent field stations or the purchase of other substantial equipment.  

Support may be requested for graduate student stipends if dissertation research is directly associated with proposed work.  The anticipated date of degree/thesis completion should be included if students are involved, and the sponsoring professor must be the project principal investigator.  PICRA support cannot be used for tuition or other education related expenses. 

Project proposal
Full project proposals should be shorter than three pages in total length.  Each proposal must include a short review of the conservation situation to which the research will apply, objectives of the proposed work, methods that will be used to accomplish the stated objectives, and the anticipated impacts of the project.  

Budget
A budget must be included in the full proposal that outlines how PICRA funding will be used.  The budget should assign funds to one of the following categories:

1. Supplies – including purchases of items that are less than $2,500.
2. Equipment – including purchases of items that are greater than $2,500.  PICRA discourages the inclusion of large equipment purchases in proposals.
3. Travel – only project-related travel expenses are allowed.  Proposals requesting funds for travel to professional meetings are generally not successful.
4. Salary – including salary for temporary field assistants or laboratory personnel, graduate student stipends, or guide services.  Professional salary (including PI salary), tuition and education expenses are prohibited.
   
5. Indirect costs – institutional indirect costs or overhead must be limited to 5% of the total proposal budget.
   

Proof of Tax Exempt Status
Applicants must provide proof of their status as a nonprofit organization before funding is awarded.  In most cases, a copy of the organization's letter of exemption fulfills this requirement.