AFA Conservation Grant Proposals


We appreciate your interest in theAmerican Federation of Aviculture, Inc. (AFA). The purpose of this document is to provide you with information about the required procedures to follow when requesting funding from the Avian Conservation Grants program. The mission statement of the AFA and a brief history of the organization will help you understand the types of projects we support. Please review the following proposal guidelines. Note AFA generally provides modest grants of $500 or less annually, except under exceptional circumstances when we have been contacted in advanced and approved submission of larger grants or in cases where the committee awards larger amounts based on the submission goals and objectives.

Mission and Purpose of the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA)

The mission and purpose of AFA is promote the advancement of aviculture through educational programs that enable better husbandry practices, management, and living conditions for exotic birds; promote avian research and conservation of exotic birds; keep our members aware of legislative issues that affect aviculture and aviculturists and keep legislators aware of the need for fair and equitable regulations.

AFA believes holders of exotic birds need to be aware of the special needs of the species they hold, be aware of their conservation status, up-to-date research findings enhancing the well-being of the birds, and the state and federal regulations pertaining to exotic birds.

AFA History

During an outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease in California, in the early 1970's, thousands of perfectly healthy exotic birds in private collections were euthanized by the USDA. As a result of the outbreak State of California proposed legislation that would narrowly restrict or ban the ownership of exotic birds was introduced. This proposed legislation to restrict private ownership was the catalyst that brought many Southern California bird owners and clubs together to form the AMERICAN FEDERATION OF AVICULTURE, INC. in March of 1974 to serve as an avicultural umbrella organization.

The AFA is a non-profit 501(c)3 educational organization incorporated in the state of California, (business office located in Austin, TX) with a membership base of individual members both nationwide and worldwide. The AFA is also a federation, comprised of numerous affiliated bird clubs and organizations representing thousands of aviculturists.

The AFA is dedicated to the promotion of aviculture and the conservation of Avian Wildlife through the encouragement of captive breeding programs, scientific research and the education of the general public. To promote the interests of aviculture , the AFA works to educate legislators within the U.S.A. The AFA also represents the avicultural community at CITES meetings.

Avian Research Grants

A goal of AFA is to ensure long-term, self-sustaining populations of exotic birds both in captivity and in the wild. In support of this, AFA provides small grants targeted to projects that have a good likelihood of success and of providing useful knowledge on birds. Projects may be in a variety of areas with captive and/or wild birds, including veterinary medicine, captive husbandry, conservation, equipment, behavior, or education. The key objective must be to contribute to the goal of ensuring the enjoyment of birds by present and future generations.

Procedure

  1. Proposals may be submitted by email (preferred) to afaoffice@afabirds.org or 2 copies may be sent by postal mail to:
    American Federation of Aviculture, Inc.
    PO Box 91717
    Austin TX 78709-1717
  2. Deadline for proposals for funding in a particular year is receipt by the AFA office by September 15 of the previous year except under special circumstances. It is recommended that proposals be submitted during the July-August timeframe. Electronic submission in MS Word or pdf format is preferred. Late proposals will be considered, but funding may not be available until the following year.
  3. An acknowledgment of receipt of the proposal will be sent to you within 3 weeks of receipt. Please contact us if you do not receive an acknowledgment.
  4. In November of each year the Avian Conservation and Research Grants Committee will make recommendations to the Board of Directors for consideration of funding to be disbursed in the following year. The Board of Directors will approve suggested programs at their November budget meeting. A different time frame may be approved in advance by the Board (contact the chair of the Avian Conservation and Research Grants Committee).
  5. Recipients of grants will be notified by email, letter, and/or phone by 15 November.

Guidelines for Funding

Please read the following restrictions and guidelines for AFA Avian Research Grants. Although not all are requirements, preferential consideration will be given to projects that meet them.

  • Funding will generally be considered for US 501(c)(3) non-profit entities or individuals associated with these entities or the equivalent in a non-US country.
  • Recipients must be able to receive the award by a check in $US made out on a US bank
  • AFA Avian Research Grants ordinarily will not exceed $500. Please take this into consideration when submitting a proposal. Exceptions require prior discussion with the chair of the Avian Conservation and Research Grants Committee.
  • All proposals must involve humane and respectful treatment of animals.
  • Proposals considered shall be "culturally appropriate" for the targeted area (country, state, region).
  • Funded projects must agree to submit a six-month progress report and then a final report at the conclusion of the funded year. These may be brief but should demonstrate the progress and then outcome(s) of the funded project. No-cost time extensions of the grant may be requested and will be given if appropriate.
  • International proposals may be asked to submit a letter of endorsement from the government of that country.
  • Final funding decisions are contingent on a majority Board vote and available funds.
  • The AFA Board reserves the right to make exceptions to any of the above guidelines.

Deadline for submission: September 15 for funding in the following year. Exceptions by prior arrangement only.


Recommended Outline

To apply, email a copy of your proposal to afaoffice@afabirds.org. (MS Word or pdf preferred) or 2 printed copies may be sent by postal mail to:
American Federation of Aviculture, Inc.
PO Box 91717
Austin TX 78709-1717

Put all the information on the enclosed project proposal title page on the first page of your proposal. Cover the following items in the body of your complete proposal. Generally 1-6 should not take more than 5 pages and possibly less (be brief).

  1. Background Information on Organization
  2. Introduction
    • How does this project fit in with the AFA mission statement?
  3. Project Description and Justification
    • What are your overall goals?
    • Specific objectives
  4. Methods
    • Project design and implementation
    • Animal handling and methodology (if applicable). (This item should include detailed information on all animal handling and captive maintenance planned, including but not limited to: animal immobilization, capture techniques, collection of crop or cloacal contents, blood or tissue collection, banding or tagging, and radio-telemetry devices.)
    • Local community involvement/professional development (if applicable)
    • Education/public information (if applicable)
  5. Expected Results
    • How do you propose to measure and quantify your success?
  6. Benefits and/or Impact
    • How will your work make a difference for wild or captive birds?
    • How do you plan to disseminate project results?
    • How will you let others know that AFA helped with support to your project?
    • Describe any post project continuity or additional work.
  7. Project Timetable (Limit 1 page)
  8. Budget (Limit 2 pages)
    • Outline the budget for one year
    • List matching funds and sources or associated funded projects that may provide synergy with the proposed effort.
  9. Vitae of Principal Personnel (Brief-no more than 2 pages each; preferably shorter)

Please be as concise as possible. Some sections may not be applicable to your funding request.

 

Click here to download these submission guidelines in printable format.

Click here to download the project proposal submission form.