Darwin Initiative Round 32 Grants 2026 — Up to £5 Million Funding for Global Biodiversity, Climate & Poverty Reduction Projects

The Darwin Initiative Round 32 funding call is now officially open, offering grant opportunities of up to £5 million to support innovative projects that protect and restore biodiversity while also addressing poverty reduction and sustainable economic development.

Funded by the UK Government through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Darwin Initiative is one of the world’s longest-running and most impactful biodiversity funding programmes. Since its launch in 1993, it has invested over £289 million across 1,370+ projects in more than 150 countries.

This funding round is designed to support high-impact conservation projects that not only protect ecosystems but also strengthen livelihoods, governance systems, and long-term sustainability in biodiversity-rich regions.

About the Darwin Initiative

The Darwin Initiative is part of the Biodiversity Challenge Funds, supporting countries and communities to develop practical, scalable solutions to biodiversity loss.

It focuses on:

• Conservation and restoration of nature
• Poverty reduction through sustainable resource use
• Strengthening local and national environmental governance
• Supporting climate resilience and ecosystem-based adaptation
• Promoting sustainable economic growth through biodiversity protection

Rather than short-term interventions, the programme prioritizes systemic, long-term impact across landscapes and communities.

Funding Available (Round 32)

Applicants can access funding depending on the scheme:

Funding Levels:

• Up to £5 million per project

Scheme Types:

• Darwin Initiative Extra
• Darwin Initiative Main
• Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity

Each scheme has different eligibility rules, timelines, and application stages.

Key Focus Areas for Round 32

This funding round introduces updated priorities to improve global impact and efficiency.

1. Biodiversity Hotspot Targeting

Applications must focus on 13 priority biodiversity hotspots across 35 countries, ensuring:

• Higher impact concentration
• Stronger ecosystem protection outcomes
• Reduced fragmentation of funding efforts
• Better coordination among projects

2. Systems-Level Change Approach

Projects are encouraged to move beyond direct interventions and instead strengthen:

• Environmental governance systems
• Institutional frameworks
• Market systems linked to conservation
• Long-term sustainability mechanisms

This shift ensures that outcomes remain impactful even after project completion.

3. Reduced Application Burden

To improve accessibility:

• Stage 1 applications (Extra & Main) are now shorter concept notes
• Only high-potential projects progress to Stage 2

4. Funding Structure Changes

• Innovation scheme removed (now covered by GCBC – Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate)
• More funding redirected to remaining schemes
• Stronger emphasis on quality and strategic alignment

5. Lead Applicant Limitation

To encourage fairness and local leadership:

• Organisations may lead only one application per scheme
• Partners can still join multiple applications

Programme Impact and Achievements

Since 1993, the Darwin Initiative has achieved:

• £289 million invested globally
• 1,370+ conservation projects funded
• Millions of hectares of ecosystems protected
• Over 100,000 people supported in climate resilience
• Major biodiversity protection across forests, wetlands, and marine ecosystems

Example Impact:

In Indonesia, Darwin-funded projects have helped:

• Manage 1.3 million hectares of forests and fisheries sustainably
• Contribute to a 12.6 million-hectare UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Improve regional biodiversity governance and planning

Webinar: Round 32 Funding Updates

A dedicated webinar will provide insights into the latest updates and application changes.

Webinar Details:

• Date: 28 May 2026
• Time: 6:00 pm (Vietnam Time) / 12:00–1:00 pm UK time (GMT+1)
• Format: Online briefing session

What You Will Learn:

• Key updates for Round 32
• Changes in application structure and priorities
• New geographic focus areas
• Guidance on eligibility and funding schemes
• Opportunity for Q&A

A recording of the webinar and a copy of the presentation slides will be added to the Workshops and Webinars page under Resources on our website.

Application Deadlines (Round 32)

Darwin Initiative Main

• Stage 1: 20 July 2026
• Stage 2 (invite only): 30 November 2026

Darwin Initiative Extra

• Stage 1: 1 July 2026
• Stage 2 (invite only): 2 November 2026

Capability & Capacity

• Single Stage Deadline: 31 August 2026

How to Apply

Click here for more and to apply

Applicants are strongly advised to:

• Read full guidance documents carefully
• Select the correct scheme (Extra, Main, or Capability & Capacity)
• Align proposals with biodiversity hotspot priorities
• Focus on systems-level impact and sustainability
• Ensure strong local partnerships and implementation capacity

Further information on the eligibility criteria, schemes, guidance documents, and the scoring criteria can be found on each scheme’s application page under the Apply page.

Click here for more global grant opportunities.