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Background

Goals

This grants program is intended to:

  • increase knowledge of Alberta’s heritage of living resources, specifically the flora, fauna, and habitat.
  • promote the development of highly qualified, Alberta-based conservation biologists, and
  • support research and study in Alberta by graduate students.

The Grants in Biodiversity program supports research in biodiversity, conservation biology, ecology, and related social science approaches that relate to flora, fauna and habitat in Alberta; all kinds of organisms are covered.

Support for the Program

The Alberta Conservation Association provides up to $225,000 annually for support of graduate student research in Alberta in the areas of biodiversity, conservation biology, and ecology. Up to $20,000 is provided recipients, that money to be spent over 2 years. However, partial awards are more common and excessive requests for moderate proposals will jeopardize funding of the grant at all.

Progress of the Program

The Program is now in its third decade. To date, the ACA Grants in Biodiversity has awarded over 5 million research dollars to over 500 graduate students from universities around the world. (Although graduate students do not have to attend universities in Alberta, their thesis research must be Alberta-based) Most recipients go on to careers in environmental and conservation biology. Many recipients remain in Alberta after completing their degree programs.

See our Research Mandate

About Alberta Conservation Association

Incorporated under the Alberta Societies Act, Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) is a separate entity, independent of the government. As a non-profit society, ACA is accountable to the people of Alberta. ACA's mission is to conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitats for Albertans to enjoy, value and use. Also part of its mandate is to increase public awareness of fish, wildlife and endangered species and develop public recognition of the value of our province's fish and wildlife resources.

The voting members of ACA's Board of Directors are committed to ensuring that Alberta fish and wildlife populations and their habitats are well managed, and that the funds gathered through the levies on licences are directed at priority programs. Each of the Directors holds a vested interest in our province's fish, wildlife and species at risk. ACA member groups are as follows:

  • Alberta Bowhunters Association
  • Alberta Fish & Game Association
  • Alberta Hunter Education Instructors' Association
  • Alberta Professional Outfitters Society
  • Alberta Trappers' Association
  • Backcountry Hunters & Anglers - Alberta Chapter
  • Nature Alberta
  • Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta
  • Pheasants Forever, Alberta Council
  • Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
  • Trout Unlimited Canada