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 300,00 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 1994.

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.

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.

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

For detailed instructions on the application process, please download the document provided.

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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Discover Inlaks alumni across opportunities, years and programmes they were supported for.