Back to All Events

MCT-MACP Small Grants


REQUEST FOR CONCEPTS

Micronesia Conservation Trust Small Grants Program

PROJECT TITLE: Supporting community-based conservation and natural resource management across Micronesia.

The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) is inviting short concepts for community-based projects that will support the achievement of the Micronesia Challenge (MC) 2030 goals and help build the resilience of Micronesian communities and ecosystems to better withstand the impacts of increasing stressors by expanding the protection of the region’s most critical natural resources.

The Micronesia Challenge 2030 extends the original challenge to effectively manage and protect at least 50 per cent of nearshore marine resources and 30 per cent of terrestrial resources by 2030 and incorporates an expanded set of goals that encompasses climate change adaptation, sustainable livelihoods, invasive species management and control, and community fisheries management.

MCT invites project concepts from organizations and communities in all five Micronesia Challenge jurisdictions: the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau.

PROJECT SCOPE

Projects are required to address at least one of the following impact areas:

  • Coastal fisheries management plans and action

  • Forest stewardship plans and actions

  • Expansion and improvement of Protected Areas Networks (PANs)

  • Generation of alternative livelihood income streams tied to conservation programs

  • Scientific studies that support science-to-management feedback loops for protected area managers

  • Watershed/forest management that leads to higher climate resilience for participating communities

  • Invasive species control, eradication and management training, plans and action

Priority will be given to projects that support the implementation of, or actions under, existing Management Plans or Local Early Action Plans (LEAPs) over those that are directed at the development of new management plans.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Legally recognized not-for-profit organizations in any of the 5 MC jurisdictions including: nongovernmental conservation and resource management organizations; associations; schools, colleges and universities; religious organizations/church groups; women’s groups; youth groups; research organizations; other institutions

  • State and Municipal government agencies

  • Any community that is chartered OR if not chartered, have evidence of legitimacy, which must be corroborated in writing by a state/municipal government

  • MCT’s basic criteria for organizations making grants applications include the clause that an organization should be registered and have been in existence for at least two years and have a proven track record of grants management. It must also pass a due diligence review by MCT.

If an organization does not fulfill the above criteria, it must be fiscally sponsored by another organization that does. The fiscal sponsor must be an approved organization that has proven track record to manage funds. The role of the fiscal sponsor is to receive and disburse funds for the project in a timely manner and to maintain prudent and accurate records of all transactions as required by MCT. The fiscal sponsor must ensure that project activities are carried out as described in the full proposal and that reports are submitted per the contract with MCT.

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

  • Construction projects are not eligible for this Grant Program.

  • Large equipment and/or infrastructure acquisitions are not allowable for funding under this Grant Program.

PROJECT TIMEFRAME

Projects should commence no later than September 2025 with a maximum duration of 18 months.

PROJECT FUNDING

Grants for individual projects can range from $15,000 to $50,000.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATION TIMELINE

  • Concept notes application window: April 15, 2025 to May 15, 2025

  • Selection announcement: June 15, 2025

  • Full proposals due (if invited): July 15, 2025

  • Final selection announcement: August 15, 2025

  • Projects launch: September 1, 2025