Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund
Grants for biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and natural resources management
Principal Office: Japan
The Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF) is funded by Nippon Keidanren member corporations — including many of Japan’s largest companies — and the general public.
KNCF supports nature conservation by NGOs and other nonprofit organizations in developing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. It also provides assistance for nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in Japan.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources
Grants for nature conservation in developing countries. KNCF makes grants for projects which promote biodiversity conservation.
Grant recipients are nonprofit organizations in Japan and elsewhere at international, national, and local levels. Many grants are to Japanese and international conservation organizations that have programs and projects in the developing countries, particularly in Asia. Other grants are to conservation NGOs and other civil society organizations based in the developing countries.
About the program
There is no minimum or maximum grant size. Recent grants average about ¥3 million. Grants are for one year, renewable on an annual basis for a maximum of three additional years.
APPLICATION: KNCF announces an annual request for grant applications.
Applications require a description of the project site; project plan and schedule; budget details; and information about the applying organization. Budgets can be in USA dollars or Japanese yen.
Project applications should include evidence of endorsement by the relevant government and community authorities. It can help an application to be recommended by a Japanese entity.
KNCF provides an example of a completed application to guide grant seekers on how to fill out the form.
Completed applications (in English or Japanese) are submitted to KNCF before the annual calendar deadline.
About how to apply
Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries
Worldwide
Note: Most grants are for activities in Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands, East Asia, and South Asia. However, KNCF also makes a few grants in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Russia.
The Fund’s website is available in Japanese and English.
The KNCF is a partnership of its member corporations, the Japanese government (Ministry of Environment; Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and Sumitomo Trust and Banking Company.
Grant seekers should review KNCF’s yearly lists of funded projects to learn the types of projects that interest the Fund.
KNCF offers contact information for individuals who want to make inquiries.i
January 2020