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.

2. 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.

3. 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.