GCBC Research Grant for Climate and Poverty Solutions

Call for Grant Applications –

GCBC Research Grant for Climate and Poverty Solutions

Organisation Name:

Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC)

Grant Amount: £1 million

Application Deadline:

16 March 2025

About Organisation

The Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) is a leading organization dedicated to integrating biodiversity solutions into climate resilience strategies. GCBC aims to address climate change and poverty through nature-based solutions, fostering sustainable development and social inclusion. The organization focuses on transforming agricultural and food systems, protecting biodiversity, and enhancing climate resilience across various regions, particularly in ODA-eligible countries.

Through research, partnerships, and funding programs, GCBC promotes innovative approaches that strengthen ecosystems while improving livelihoods. It encourages collaboration among local communities, businesses, social organizations, and academic institutions to implement scalable and impactful projects. By leveraging biodiversity as a tool for sustainable economic growth, GCBC supports projects that improve agricultural landscapes, strengthen conservation efforts, and create sustainable business models in climate-vulnerable regions, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The organization aims to ensure that biodiversity is not just conserved but actively used as a mechanism for long-term climate resilience and poverty reduction.

About the Grant

The GCBC Research Grant Competition (RGC3) provides funding for projects addressing biodiversity’s role in climate resilience and poverty alleviation. This grant supports initiatives that implement nature-based solutions in agriculture, food systems, and bioeconomy value chains or develop sustainable business models in biodiversity hotspots within Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Projects must focus on innovative biodiversity management, experimental ecosystem restoration, and policy interventions that lead to large-scale transformative change. They should explore solutions such as nature-positive business models, novel farming systems, and sustainable ecosystem management. The grant encourages research that enhances the valuation, protection, and restoration of biodiversity while promoting gender and social inclusion.

Applicants can receive grants ranging from £100,000 to £1 million for project durations between 12 to 36 months. GCBC aims to fund a balanced portfolio of up to 20 grants, ensuring a diverse range of topics and geographic coverage. Proposals must align with poverty alleviation, gender equity, and biodiversity-driven climate resilience.

Who can Apply?

Eligible applicants must be organizations or consortia working in ODA-eligible countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, including SIDS. A UK-based presence is not required.

Eligible applicants include:

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Civil society organizations
Academic and research institutions
Social development organizations
Multilateral organizations
Private sector entities (as consortia members but not for-profit beneficiaries)
Parastatal organizations (if not receiving government funding)

Exclusions:

Applicants under debarment/exclusion due to malpractice
PhD students
Projects that do not align with ODA funding criteria

Lead Delivery Partners must be organizations with a physical presence in an ODA-eligible country or form a consortium with such an entity. Applications from new and equitable partnerships with local organizations are encouraged.

How to Apply?

Interested applicants must submit a Concept Note outlining their project proposal. Successful candidates will be invited to submit a full proposal. Applications must demonstrate clear alignment with poverty alleviation, gender equity, and climate resilience while incorporating innovative biodiversity-based solutions.