Checked 27 October 2026. Rolling concept-note route.
Rainforest Trust accepts concept notes for projects that create or expand protected and conserved areas. This is a focused conservation funding route, rather than a general source of support for environmental education or tree planting.
Opportunity at a glance
| Funder | Rainforest Trust |
| Geography | Tropical and subtropical countries |
| Funding | Award-dependent; US$250,000 determines review route, not a maximum |
| Timing | Concept notes accepted year-round |
Who should consider this opportunity?
Conservation organisations and relevant local or Indigenous partners should assess the detailed eligibility and protection requirements on the official funding page.
Application route and important conditions
Concept notes can be submitted throughout the year and are typically reviewed within one to two months. Feasibility awards and creation awards below US$250,000 follow rolling review; larger creation-award applications have 1 March, 1 July and 1 October deadlines. The donor recommends early concept submission ahead of those rounds.
Read the official programme page and application instructions.
Africads preparation guidance
The following is practical editorial guidance, not additional donor eligibility criteria.
Start with the conservation outcome and the legal or governance pathway needed to achieve it. Explain what area would be protected, why it matters and what currently threatens it. A compelling biodiversity description is not enough if the project cannot establish durable protection or legitimate management.
Address rights and consent before presenting a boundary on a map. Understand land tenure, customary use and the interests of affected communities. Where Indigenous peoples are involved, appropriate consent processes and their own governance institutions are essential. Do not assume that a conservation label resolves competing rights or livelihoods.
Separate feasibility questions from implementation commitments. If tenure, legal designation or management arrangements remain uncertain, identify the work needed to resolve them. Build a long-term view of management costs and responsibility. Applicants should use the donor’s direct process; paying a consultant is not a prerequisite for submitting a concept or accessing this opportunity.
Five frequently asked questions
Is US$250,000 the maximum grant?
No. It is a threshold that affects the review schedule; award size depends on the project and donor assessment.
Does meeting the criteria guarantee support?
No. Eligibility is an initial screen; the funder still assesses fit, quality and available resources.
What should our team prepare first?
Confirm the applicant route, identify a responsible lead and assemble evidence for the proposed work before polishing the narrative.
Should we use a generic proposal template?
Use the donor’s current form and instructions. An internal template can organise your thinking, but it should not replace required questions or formats.
Where do we submit or request further guidance?
Start from the official programme page linked below. Africads publishes opportunity information and does not receive applications on the donor’s behalf.
Conclusion
Use the eligibility and application route above to decide whether Rainforest Trust belongs in your funding pipeline. Assign a named owner to the next step and resolve any missing requirements before committing substantial proposal time.
For an initial fit, evidence or budget check, explore the free Africads Grant Funding Toolkit. These resources support preparation; the donor’s current instructions and decision remain authoritative.
Sources
Programme information from Rainforest Trust. Information checked on 27 October 2026; review updates before applying.
