The Inlaks-Ravi Sankaran Grant for Field Biology, Ecology & Conservation

1. The Grant will be available for an initial project of up to one year. 

2. The Grant will award financial support of up to INR 300,000 per year.

3. Recipients of the Grant may apply for follow-up funding. When doing so, they must demonstrate the success of the pilot project and show how subsequent funding is essential to bring out the conservation benefits of the project.

1. The applicant must be an Indian citizen currently residing in India.

2. The applicant must be born on or after 1st January 1995.

3. The applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree.

4. The applicant must demonstrate a deep interest in field biology, ecology and conservation through prior involvement in this field. They must also strongly justify how the opportunity will further conservation efforts in India.

5. The Foundation particularly seeks young applicants with bold and unconventional ideas for tackling conservation problems.

Applicants for this opportunity must submit a duly filled application form by clicking on "Apply Now" on the Opportunity's page on the Foundation's website.

Fill in the application form online avallabile on the website by pressing ‘Apply Now’.

Any query may be sent to gladys@inlaksfoundation.org

When the opportunity is open to new applications, clicking the 'Apply Now' link at the top of the page will provide access to the application form on our online application system.

If the opportunity is closed and not accepting applications the 'Apply Now' link will not be visible.

1. All the applications will be screened by a committee of experts and shortlisted applicants will be informed.

2. The applicants will be selected based on their project proposal and an online interview.

1. The Grantees must submit a detailed interim report and a final report at the end of their term. All reports must contain an accounting of funds spent.

2. Grantees will retain all rights over information generated during the tenure of the opportunity. They must acknowledge support received from the Inlaks Foundation when and where they publish this work.

Dr. Ravi Sankaran (Oct 4, 1963–Jan 17, 2009) was an ornithologist who dedicated his life to biodiversity conservation throughout India, as a researcher, teacher, mentor, and finally, Director of the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History.

In the 1980s, as a graduate student at the Bombay Natural History Society, Ravi gained recognition for his pioneering research on the endangered Lesser Florican in western India. His research provided the basic framework for conservation of this endangered species, and of other species and habitats he studied subsequently. He was a tremendous source of inspiration to colleagues and students, and a prominent figure in the field of wildlife conservation in India.

In recent years his research focus was on the Andaman & Nicobar islands, a system with many threatened species including the Nicobar Megapode and the Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet. Ravi’s work on the Swiftlet provided crucial insights for the conservation of this species, and he was deeply involved in developing community-based conservation efforts including ranching / sustainable harvesting of these birds’ nests. This approach is radically different from the dominant preservationist approach in India, and illustrates Ravi’s distinct and balanced perspective on conservation.

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