Call for Proposals 

We are pleased to announce the 2026 Call for Proposals for the Snow Leopard Training Grant which is designed to further strengthen snow leopard conservation and research, especially at the grassroots level. This is made possible through the generous support of the Pangje Foundation, a SLN organization member, dedicated to protecting snow leopards and helping local communities. 

 

“Pangje Foundation is dedicated to advancement of  snow leopard conservation initiatives that simultaneously help local communities and the greater Himalaya environment. The most beautiful aspect of what we do is that our programs are for the people, by the people, with both communities and snow leopards realizing the benefits.”

 

The specific goal of the 2026 Training Grant centers around building capacities in snow leopard research and conservation among grassroot stakeholders. The scope of the capacity projects to be funded is broad and includes trainings/workshops in support of community conservation, protected area management (supporting local rangers and protected area staff etc.), conservation education, women conservation leadership training and wildlife population monitoring (snow leopard & prey). Other training and capacity building themes related to snow leopard conservation at the grassroots The final reports of our funded projects in 2025 are available here.

Proposal Guidelines

Eligibility:  The Training Grant is open to all SLN members and researchers/practitioners/organizations working to support snow leopard conservation. One proposal per applicant, team or organization will be considered. Unfortunately, current regulations do not allow this funding to be available for activities in the People’s Republic of China. 

Grant size:  Awards will range from $1000 to $1500. All award funds should plan to be used in 2026. Project proposals should aim to use these relatively modest amounts as strategically as possible. Other funding sources can be included in the budget to increase the overall project funding size.

Selection criteria: Proposals will be judged on a competitive basis. Applications will be evaluated by SLN’s Grant Review Panel, and judged on:

 

• • • • • • • • • Relevance to snow leopard conservation at the grassroots level
                • Training methodology/philosophy
                • Scientific and/or conservation rigor of the proposal
                • Collaboration with local partners

Proposal Submission:  Proposals (written in English) must be submitted electronically as a single pdf file to Rakhee Karumbaya, SLN’s Program Coordinator (rakhee@snowleopardnetwork.org). Proposals will be considered if received before 15th February, 2026 (18:00 Bishkek time). Applications that do not use the forms attached below will not be considered. The pdf file should include: 

 

• • • • • • • • • an Application form completed (max. 3 pages, according to the attached form). Download the Application form here.
                • a CV of the project team leader/principal applicant (max. 2 pages)

Reporting:

A midterm report is due 15th July, 2026. A final report on the awarded projects (process and results) is due by 15th December, 2026. Please submit your midterm and final report as a Word document. Download the midterm and final report outline here.

Training Grant Schedule

15 February 2026: All Proposals submitted by email. Kindly note that we will not be able to consider late proposals.

End of March 2026: Proposals selected for funding by the SLN Grant Review Panel will be announced.

Mid April 2026: Funds available for disbursement.

Mid April – 1 December 2026: Projects take place as agreed in proposals. 

15 July 2026: Grantees submit midterm report. 

15 December 2026: Grantees submit final report.