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.
"The mission and purpose of AFA shall be to promote the advancement of Aviculture through educational programs that support the advancement and improvement of breeding practices, husbandry practices, and living conditions for exotic birds, conservation, research and legislative awareness."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Deadline for submission: September 15 for funding in the following year. Exceptions by prior arrangement only.
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).
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.