• Applicant must be 18 years or older.

• At this time, funding is restricted to United States and Canadian citizens and projects.

• Must have a record of prior experience in the fields of research, conservation or exploration, which should be submitted as it pertains to the proposed project.

• Grants will not be limited to enrolled graduate students, scientific researchers or individuals with non-profit affiliations, but these groups will be favored. Individuals not associated with the aforementioned groups will be required to specifically outline in sufficient detail how their personal work has prepared them for, and will dovetail with, broader regional and local efforts surrounding their area of interest as it relates to the grant proposal.

SITKA Ecosystem Grants vary in amount depending on significance of the project, though most range between US $3,000 and $20,000. However, we do not have a cap on individual grant funding requests. Each grant request is reviewed on a case by case basis. SEG funds often serve as complimentary support, which is why we encourage applicants to seek additional, concurrent funding, and disclose supporting funds and partners within the SEG application.

Typically, SITKA Ecosystem Grants support projects for one year. However, in certain circumstances, we support grants on a multi-year basis.

SITKA Ecosystem Grants may not be used for indirect cost expenditures, overhead, and other expenses not directly related to this project. Fringe benefits are also excluded, as are salaries. Funds may not be used for travel to scientific / professional meetings or conferences, tuition, vacations, study abroad programs, volunteer activities, legal actions, land acquisition, endowments, or publication of research results. Grantees are expected to provide SITKA with the rights of first refusal for popular publication and other media coverage of their project, efforts and findings.

As we review grants, we consider each through the lens of our three main funding pillars - nurturing natural systems, encouraging the hunting experience, and shared stewardship. Does the proposed grant fit? Does the proposed grant touch on one or more of the priorities within those areas? If so, you’re on the right track.

SITKA Ecosystem Grants are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis, though most are funded between April and June annually. Please note that we will reach out to you if and when your grant is awarded. This is a highly competitive grant, and therefore we must be thorough in our review and prioritization of grant applications.

Supporting efforts to remove fencing that prohibits or threatens ungulate migrations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and efforts to install wildlife friendly fencing in key migratory areas. Supporting research efforts to better understand mallard duck overwinter habitat use and population dynamics in the Mississippi River Flyway. Supporting a scholarship fund for a Montana backcountry hunting course tailored to youth and first time hunters. Supporting a local trail crew who, on their personal time, maintain and restore public trails. Supporting efforts to restore the Mississippi River Delta by planting native trees to help capture downstream transported sediment, strengthen existing freshwater ecosystems and reduce the rate at which critical habitat and land is lost due to sea level rise, increase frequency and severity of storms, saltwater encroachment and a reduction of land building downstream sediment transport. Supporting efforts by leading scientific groups and universities to research CWD with hopes of curbing its spread, and lobbying efforts to pass legislation that can increase CWD education, advocacy and awareness.

Non-Profits, both local and national University researchers and research groups State and Federal Government Individuals (not affiliated with a University, non-profit or formal organization)

SITKA will, for certain grants, work with grantees to create content and storytelling assets to showcase a particular project and the important efforts underway. In this case, members from our creative team will reach out to you to explore these opportunities.

All SITKA Ecosystem Grant projects should be of the highest quality and have the potential to advance and transform the confluence of the environmental and social landscape as it relates to wildlife, stewardship and conservation. Projects should contribute to achieving environmental goals principally, where by doing so, society at large and the ecosystems we are inextricably bound to benefit. This includes wild, suburban and/or urban ecosystems alike. Potential impacts and success metrics must be qualified and quantified through research and data, grassroots and community efforts, management efforts and outcomes, media and content, and activities that are supported by and or complimentary to the supported project.

Applications for SITKA Ecosystems Grants are by invitation only. To inquire about support for your work, please submit a short summary (200 words maximum) of your funding request. This request should include the type of organization requesting funding (university, non-profit, individual, etc.) the project location, the priority area the work fits into (nurturing natural systems, encouraging the hunting experience, shared stewardship), geographic area(s) of impact, ecosystem benefits, and the amount of funding requested. You will be notified upon review of your inquiry how to submit a full proposal.

Please make sure to read all grant information and criteria before inquiring. Completed inquiries can be sent to program staff at grants@sitkagear.com