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Eligibility

Clarifying the ACA Grants

ACA funds support two granting programs for academic research:

  • ACA Grants in Biodiversity for graduate student research
  • ACA Research Grants, Part A(Conservation) is for all Albertans, and Part B(Research) is for academic researchers, including postdoctoral fellows

Students who have received any prior funding from ACA, or whose supervisors have received funding for any part of the proposed project, are not eligible to apply. Previous grant recipients may only apply again if they are: (a) in a new degree program, and (b) the research project is totally separate from what was ACA funded in the past. Once an application for funding support has been submitted to the ACA Grants in Biodiversity program, the project will NOT be eligible for consideration in the ACA Research Grants program.

Grant administrators work closely together to prevent duplication or overlap of funds going into a single project. This is in keeping with a philosophy of spreading support fairly across conservation and research efforts.

Comparing the ACA Grants

  ACA Grants in Biodiversity ACA Research Grants ACA Conservation, Community and Education Grants
Length of grant 2 years 1 year 1 year
Maximum award $20,000 Generally $40,000 although higher awards can be made in exceptional circumstances. No maximum, although extra justification would be needed for grants over $40,000.
Eligible applicants Graduate students doing work in Alberta. Applicants must be associated with a university as a graduate student enrolled in a graduate program. Priority will be given to M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in the first 2 and 3 years of their program, respectively. Applications from students not yet in a graduate program will be considered with documentation from their prospective supervisor. Post-doctoral fellows, university and research institution faculty, anyone qualified to conduct high quality research with notable exceptions - see the Research Grant Guidelines. Students cannot apply directly. Anyone – individuals, organizations and communities
Orientation Academic Academic Grassroots
Eligible expenses Direct research costs - such as employment of student assistants, travel support in Alberta, capital cost<$1000, rental of equipment, field subsistence, purchase of supplies and incidentals.

Publishing costs are eligible (see the Recipients section for publishing restrictions).

Overhead, conference/publishing costs,and grantee salary/stipends ineligible.
Project related expenses. Capital assets >$500 may remain property of the ACA.

Overhead, ongoing administration, ongoing staff salaries and student stipends are not eligible (please read guidelines for full listing).
Project related expenses. Capital assets >$500 may remain property of the ACA.

Overhead, ongoing administration, ongoing staff salaries and student stipends are not eligible (please read guidelines for full listing).
Goal Supporting research in biodiversity, conservation biology, ecology, and related social science approaches that relate to flora, fauna and habitat in Alberta. Promote the development of highly qualified, Alberta-based conservation biologists. To support research projects that meet and further ACA’s mission "ACA conserves, protects, and enhances fish, wildlife and habitat for all Albertans to enjoy, value and use" and supports high quality research projects on wildlife, fish and habitat which inform the effective management of wildlife, fish populations and habitat in Alberta To aid the ACA in the delivery of its mission “ACA conserves, protects, and enhances fish, wildlife and habitat for all Albertans to enjoy, value and use.”
Priority No published priorities. Priority is given to projects that contribute to the funding priorities (see guidelines) and demonstrate a "self-help" attitude (e.g. partner contributions, in-kind support). Priority is given to projects that contribute to the funding priorities (see guidelines) and demonstrate a "self-help" attitude (e.g. partner contributions, in-kind support).
Reporting Brief text report required at end of year one and at grant closing Text and financial reports required Text and financial reports required

Who is Eligible to Apply for the ACA Grants in Biodiversity

The criteria for eligibility to apply is as follows:

  • The applicant must be a graduate student associated with a university.
  • The applicant can come from any university in the world as long as the proposed research is being done in Alberta (i.e. field work or subject of the research is in Alberta).
  • Applicants may only apply for support for only one project per year.
  • Graduate students are not eligible for more than one award for each degree-granting program.
  • Graduate students must provide proof of acceptance in a graduate program including date of entry (see Application Instructions for acceptable proof).
  • Priority will be given to MSc students in the first two years of their program and and PhD students in the first three years of their program respectively.
  • Applications from students not yet in a graduate program will be considered, but must be accompanied by a letter from the prospective graduate supervisor verifying that the research proposed is part of the proposed thesis research and that the applicant is in the process of being accepted. Proof of acceptance in a graduate program must be provided by the date outlined on the Deadlines page. If that program is to begin September 1 of the award year, research prior to that date will not be supported.
  • For projects that span multiple provinces, the ACA Grants in Biodiversity will only fund the proportion of the study that occurs in Alberta; the application should include the whole budget and provide a sub-estimate of the proportion that is Alberta based.
  • Although field studies have been more successful in obtaining ACA Grants in Biodiversity, genetics, social science, and lab studies have also been funded.
  • The student must write the application, but supervisors are encouraged to advise and review the application before submission.

The ACA Grants in Biodiversity will not support:

  • Postdoctoral fellows. These applicants should instead look at the ACA Research Grants Program.
  • MSc research beyond the third year of a graduate program.
  • PhD beyond the fourth year of a graduate program.
  • Supervisor-written proposals.