Conservation Tech Award

Accelerating Innovation and Development

The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2)’s EarthRanger program is committed to helping protected areas and conservation organizations safeguard wildlife and their habitats through the advancement of technology. 

AI2 seeks to provide two (2) grants, each in the amount of $15,000 USD, to organizations that deployed or developed technology to make a positive impact in conservation management, including but not limited to, the security of endangered animals, animal behavioral research, anti-poaching enforcement, ecological management, and human-wildlife coexistence:

  • Technology Adopter Grant: this grant is for an organization that adopted technology in new or novel ways for conservation management.

  • Technology Practitioner Grant: this grant is for an organization that developed technology (e.g., software, applications, AI models/algorithms, hardware) to advance conservation management.
Conservation Technology Award Logo with Black Rhino

Both EarthRanger users and non-users are welcome to apply for either grant. There is no requirement or advantage for either grant based on an organization’s user status. 

Eligibility

  • Online applications must be fully completed by August 18, 2023 and include a point of contact on behalf of the organization. 
  • All applications will be vetted by AI2 for compliance with applicable laws and US government guidelines for international grantmaking.
  • All applicants must follow AI2’s Business Partner Code of Conduct.
  • Nonprofit and for-profit organizations and protected areas managed in whole or in part by a nonprofit or for-profit organization are eligible to apply.
  • Applicants may only apply for one (1) grant by selecting either the Technology Adopter Grant or Technology Practitioner Grant in the online application form.  
  • Past applicants including grantees with new projects or initiatives eligible to apply. 
We appreciate the incredible conservation community interest in the Conservation Technology Awards. Applications are now closed. A member of our team will be in touch when there is an update for applicants.
Questions? Reach out to info@earthranger.com

FAQs

Who is eligible to apply?

Organizations and protected areas.

Does my organization need to use EarthRanger to be eligible to apply?

No. We encourage both EarthRanger users and non-users to apply. 

How does my organization apply?

Select “Apply Now,” which leads to the grant application. The applications are comprised of 6 brief questions to collect basic information about your organization, 3-4 writing prompts (depending on the grant) to learn about your work in the conservation technology space, and a section to upload visual assets including images and an option to link to a video. We will only accept complete applications for consideration.   

When you say “adopted technology for conservation use in new or novel ways,” what does that mean?

The use or combinations of any technology(ies) that encompasses software, hardware, networking, AI, and/or mobile applications in ways different than perhaps its original intention. This includes using the technology(ies) in a way that improves or enhances conservation operations or the way an organization works. For example, the use of machine learning to understand wildlife behavior or a data management system that scales across an organization.

Can you give a couple of examples of success metrics that would be helpful to include in the application?

We ask for quantitative metrics to help demonstrate the impact of your organization's use or development of technology for conservation, as applicable. For example, this could be the number of animals saved and area of restored habitat, potential threats mitigated, or new data and learnings identified using technology.

Both grants are applicable to my organization’s work, can we apply to both?

No, we can only accept one application per organization. Please select just one of the grants to apply for.

What does technology developed for conservation use entail?

Any development of software, hardware, networking, AI models or algorithms, and/or mobile applications. For example, this could be the creation of a new acoustic monitoring tool or the development of an add-on or enhancement to an existing data-sharing platform that is making coordination easier.  

Is the information I submit going to remain confidential?

By submitting this application, you authorize AI2 to refer to your organization’s name and use your submitted materials in any form or medium, including externally in our communications, website, and social media channels. If you have confidentiality concerns about the materials that will be submitted in the application, please email jordans@earthranger.com.   

Who is reviewing these applications?

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of leaders and representatives from well-known conservation organizations and institutions, including the Andes Amazon Fund, Google, ConTech Africa, Harvard University, African Parks, Giraffe Conservation Foundation, North Carolina Zoo, Mara Elephant Project, Center for Conservation Innovations, Arribada Initiative, and the Wildlife Conservation Society

If selected as a grant recipient, when will I receive the grant funds?

AI2 will work with the selected grantees to execute grant agreements and coordinate other documentation necessary for payments through the organization’s point of contact provided in the application. 

When will grantees be announced?

The two final grantees will be officially announced in November 2023. The EarthRanger team will get in touch confidentially with applicants prior to the announcement. 

When is the application deadline?

All applications are due by August 18, 2023. 

Meet the Selection Committee

Geoff Clinning
African Parks
Adrian Forsyth
Andes Amazon Fund
Alasdair Davies
Arribada Initiative
Neil Aldrin Mallari
Center for Conservation Innovations
Alina Peter Daati
ConTech Africa
Jes Lefcourt
EarthRanger
Arthur Muneza
Giraffe Conservation Foundation
Tanya Birch
Google
Lily Xu
Harvard University
Jake Wall
Mara Elephant Project
Corinne Kendall
North Carolina Zoo
Xia Stevens
Panthera
Jonathan Palmer
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

About EarthRanger

EarthRanger is a software solution that combines real-time data from ranger patrols, remote imaging and various remote sensors. The visualized data are analyzed by operational teams and scientists to identify or respond to potential wildlife threats, track and study animal movements, and understand ecological changes. Developed in partnership with conservation and technology partners, EarthRanger is part of the AI2's efforts to drive fundamental advances in science, medicine, and conservation through AI.