APPLICATIONS FOR BPQ GRANTS

*** Applications for 2023 MUST be received no later than December 31, 2022 at 11:59 pm and conform to the format outlined below.  ***

Bird Protection Quebec offers financial support for accepted projects in ornithological research, conservation initiatives, or environmental education within Quebec that align with our stated Mission: To protect birds and bird habitat while fostering an appreciation of them through conservation, observation, research, and education.

Small projects (ex. those associated with undergraduate studies or community-based educational initiatives) would normally be considered for an amount of approximately $1,000-$3,000 and for one year only. Larger amounts or multi-year (2-3 years) grants will be considered for more mature projects from established groups or individuals. 

Past projects have covered a wide range of research and other activities, from doctoral theses fieldwork, long term-migration and banding studies to habitat inventories, classroom projects etc. Funded proposals have included environmental and biological education activities, habitat restitution and management, conservation projects and other similar projects.

One application per person or organization resident in Quebec will be accepted and will be comparatively ranked and evaluated. Formal qualifications in biology are not necessarily required from the applicant but an enquiring mind and a well-developed and researched protocol are.

  • Deadline
    Fully completed applications will be accepted until midnight December 31, 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of February and the amount accorded may be less than requested depending on available funds.
  • Abstracts and Language
    Two (2) abstracts must be included. Applications submitted in English must be accompanied by a French abstract and vice versa. The remainder of the application may be submitted in either French or English.
  • Additional documents
    • Individuals – Applications should be accompanied by a brief CV and two letters of reference from people familiar with the work of the applicant and able to comment on its importance. A Social Insurance Number (SIN) must be supplied on all applications as a requirement of tax reporting and will be kept in strict confidence. Individual recipients of grants over $500 will receive a T4A form for their personal tax return.
    • Organizations – Applications should include a description of the organization’s activities (ex. newsletters, publicity material), links to social media/website and a description of its relevance to Bird Protection Quebec’s mission as stated above. Charitable registration number for non-profit organizations or a Social Insurance Number of applicant must be provided for income tax purposes.
  • Format
    Submissions, including supporting documents, must be collated in a single PDF file no longer than eight pages total and must be named according to the following format: organisation or individual’s name_BPQApplication2023POQ.Attach the PDF file to an email and send to grants@birdprotectionquebec.org . Printed and mailed applications will not be accepted.

Research and Conservation Grants (see guidelines for Educational Grants below)

You are encouraged to use the following format (which is adapted from that employed by the AOU) for your application.

  1. Proposal Statement

1.1.  Length of proposal

5 pages or less (including references and tables and/or figures). 

Include the following in the body of the proposal

1.2.  Heading

Include at the top of the first page your name and title, mailing address, e-mail address, institutional affiliation (if any), and the title of your proposal

1.3.  Abstract

No more than 150 words and must be provided in both French and English. Bird Protection Quebec may publish this and promote accepted projects on its website, social media or newsletters at its discretion.

1.4.  Introduction

1.4.1.   Provide relevant background information and explain the significance and uniqueness of your project and what information your study will provide that is not currently available, if applicable.

1.4.2.   Clearly state the specific objective(s) of the project. Explain how you will evaluate results and outcomes.

1.5.  Methods and experimental design

1.5.1.   Explain how the study will be carried out and, where necessary, explain why this approach, and not others, was chosen. Justify your choice of methods.

1.5.2.    Use clear language that may be understood by others not in your field of work.

1.5.3.    If the project involves capturing, manipulating, or collecting animals, or otherwise requires permits, make it clear that you have obtained, or have at least initiated the process of securing, the necessary permits. Approval from the appropriate institutional Animal Care Committee must be obtained.

1.6.  Timetable

Include timelines for expected completion of project steps, graduation date of applicant if applicable, report completion date and publication of results etc. 

1.7.  Facilities

1.7.1.    Describe the available facilities (e.g., specialized equipment, labs, and study sites) required for the proposed project.

1.7.2.    Indicate the extent to which you have arranged for the use of facilities.

1.8.  Term

1.8.1. If applying for funding for a period exceeding one year, you must specify the number of years for which you will require funding and the milestones that you have established for the completion of each year’s work.

1.8.2.    Plans for multi-year projects should build upon previous year’s results, and brief annual reports must be sent to grants@birdprotectionquebec.org by December 15th of each year’s work so that BPQ may monitor progress and to trigger the release of subsequent funds.

1.8.3.   Funding for subsequent years, once granted, will only be withheld in exceptional circumstances, usually if progress towards the agreed goals is not being maintained.

  1. Budget

2.1.  Length: 1 page maximum

2.2.  Budget limits: Be reasonable and specific.  Provide projected costs of necessary materials and expenses, with written estimates where appropriate. Note that most amounts awarded for smaller one-year projects are under $3,000. Multi-year requests must show budget proposed for each year (3 maximum)

2.3. Budget item Criteria

Acceptable budget item requests (not covered by another source) include but are not limited to:

  • Essential research-related travel (e.g., to and from a study site)
  • Consumable materials and equipment (see below)
  • Living expenses in the field for the applicant and, if essential, field assistant
  • Requests for salaries for assistants where their participation is essential
  • Sample or data analyses

Ineligible expenses include:

  • Routine living expenses
  • Salary or stipend for applicant
  • Travel or other costs to attend meetings
  • Supplies and overhead expenses normally provided by your institution
  • Capital expenditures – i.e., most requests for permanent equipment (e.g., binoculars, scopes, and camping equipment) unless these are to become the property of the applicant’s institution or will revert to BPQ.
  • Consultant fees in most cases
  • Birdseed and feed in most cases 

Note: Acceptance of proposed budget items is at the discretion of BPQ. Questions may be directed to grants@birdprotectionquebec.org.

2.4.  Include the following in the budget:

2.4.1.   List of budget items: For each item, indicate clearly whether you are requesting it from BPQ or another source. The budget list should be arranged according to actual or potential funding sources. Indicate “Pending” where appropriate.

2.4.2.   Statement of justification and need: In some cases, it may be necessary to explain briefly why you need certain items. Include a brief statement summarizing how the project may have to be modified if BPQ funding is not granted or if amount is less than requested.

2.4.3.   Multiple Applications to Granting Agencies: Applicants are encouraged to apply to other agencies besides BPQ for funding parts of the same research project. Applicants must not, however, accept more than one award or grant for the same budget item.

  1. Curriculum vitae (for individual applicants not affiliated with an organization or institution)

3.1.  Length: Maximum 2 pages 

3.2.  Individual applicants should include information about their:

  • Educational and research background or other qualifications
  • Employment history
  • Papers and posters presented at meetings
  • Publications
  • Do not send reprints or thesis proposals

Educational Grants

These are normally associated with a school or institution and are now limited to one year at a time, although applications in subsequent years are welcome. 

Your proposal must include the following information:

  1. Title of your proposal
  2. Your name and title, mailing address, e-mail address, school or institution 
  3. A summary of your proposed project (brief description, who will be involved, the expected results) in both French and English. Maximum 150 words. Bird Protection Quebec may publish this and promote accepted projects on its website, social media or newsletters at its discretion.
  4. Full proposal including history and objectives of the project, relevance to the curriculum, who and how many students will be involved, what resources are available and what is needed to bring project to fruition, outline of collaboration and support of colleagues, how it will impact students, what outcomes are expected and how will you measure them? How does your proposal fit into the Mission (To protect birds and bird habitat while fostering an appreciation of them through conservation, observation, research, and education) of BPQ? 
  5. Outline planned project by answering what, when (timeline), where, how and who questions. Clearly state the benefits to the students and school. What are future plans for the project i.e., will it be repeated or expanded upon? What are the interests and qualifications of the project leader? How will results be shared and with whom?
  6. Budget – List costs as line items requested to be covered by BPQ, as well as total budget including funding from other sources, contributions of volunteers and other costs associated with the proposed project. Accurate and reasonable amounts should be given and need of items clearly explained.
  • Acceptable expenses (not covered by another source) include but are not limited to: materials and consumable supplies, workshop facilitators from outside organizations, equipment that will stay with the institution, transportation, bird seed (not more than 10% of requested amount), etc. 
  • Ineligible expenses include: salary or stipend for applicant, travel or other costs to attend meetings, supplies and costs normally covered by your institution, capital expenditures – i.e., permanent equipment (e.g., binoculars, scopes, and camping equipment) unless these are to become the property of the applicant’s institution or will revert to BPQ.
  • Application, budget, and additional documents are appropriately collated in a single PDF file not exceeding 8 pages
  • The application file name uses the format:
    Organisation or individual’s name_BPQApplication2023POQ
  • French and English abstracts are included, and the project has a name
  • Project includes background info and reason for initiative, objectives, work plan and timelines, expected results and their significance
  • Budget is specific and explained
  • SIN (for individuals) or charitable registration number (organizations) is included
  • Curriculum vitae and two reference letters (if an individual applicant)
  • Email completed application to grants@birdprotectionquebec.org by December 31, 2022

Any questions should be sent to grants@birdprotectionquebec.org.

Applications will be comparatively evaluated by BPQ’s Grants Committee members using some of the following criteria (as relevant to the project):

  • Significance and originality of the scientific question or relevance of the educational initiative
  • Clarity of the objectives and expected outcomes
  • Feasibility of the plan 
  • Suitability of budget requested and explanation of details
  • Demonstrated support of the project e.g., through the development of partnerships or engagement of the community, involvement of volunteers or colleagues etc.
  • Explanation of plan for sharing results (i.e., publication, social, website, event)
  • Other characteristics of a good proposal include necessary background information, alternative hypotheses (if appropriate), relevant citations and figures, and clear, concise writing.
  • Successful applicants are required to submit a brief report to BPQ by email to grants@birdprotectionquebec.org summarizing their accomplishments at the completion of their project, or by one year after receiving the award, whichever comes first. Report should include expenditures and copies of receipts and explain how funds were used. Photos are accepted and appreciated.
  • Grantees must acknowledge their BPQ award in any publications, media or events related to the funded project and a copy of any publication (or thesis abstract) should be sent to BPQ when available.
  • For organizations receiving multi-year funding, a brief interim report is to be submitted to grants@birdprotectionquebec.org each year by December 15, and a final report at the completion of the final year of the project, by December 15.
  • Bird Protection Quebec may publish your application abstract/summary and project report (excluding specifics of expenditures) and promote accepted projects on its website, social media or newsletters at its discretion. Please provide photo attribution and ensure that you have permission to share any photos you include.

All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by the end of February of the application year.