OPCFHK envisions a world where Asian wildlife remains biologically diverse under the stewardship of humans, corporations and governments.  We are committed to advocating, facilitating and participating in effective conservation efforts of Asian wildlife, with an emphasis on Chinese white dolphins and giant pandas, as well as their habitats.  This will be achieved through partnerships, fundraising, research and education.  With limited funds and given the urgency of conservation efforts, it is important that research studies contribute to effective conservation.  Therefore, we seek proposals with measurable conservation outcomes.

In 2023/2024, the Foundation funded 15 projects (39.5%) out of 38 eligible applications.  A full list of previous projects and their summaries can be viewed on Foundation’s website.

The Foundation supports two types of projects, regular projects lasting between 1 to 2 year, and long-term projects lasting between 3 to 5 years. In the 2024/2025 funding cycle, both Regular projects and Long-term project proposal will be considered.

The Foundation solicits projects on threatened wildlife in Asia, particularly on the Foundation’s focal species, the giant panda and the Chinese white dolphin, as well as other threatened wildlife (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, birds, fishes, invertebrates and other aquatic and terrestrial mammals) and their habitats throughout Asia.  Study outcomes must contribute to successful conservation and could entail the development of conservation action plans and/or social science-based conservation programmes.  All proposals must include relevant and specific conservation targets, measurable milestones and an evaluation of the programme’s effectiveness using quantifiable indicators (e.g. before and after questionnaire). 

Regular projects (1 to 2 years) should be geared towards one of the areas whereas Long-term projects (3-5 years) must address both:

1. Wildlife Conservation
   1. Conduct in-situ field studies to enhance the understanding of the target species population, the condition of their habitats and the threats they face in the wild, and/or
   2. Collaborate with local communities, institutes, and the government to formulate effective conservation management plans to preserve threatened species and their habitats, and/or
   3. Conduct ex-situ studies on the target species to promote and improve in-situ conservation efforts.
       
2. Social Science-based Conservation
   1. Design and organise in-situ and ex-situ conservation education programmes to raise public awareness of wildlife conservation and to engage locals to change their daily activities and behaviour in support of conservation efforts, and/or
   2. Conduct capacity-building programmes or workshops to advance the nature reserve and conservation education teams' knowledge and skills for effective conservation action.
       

Applications will be assessed based on the five selection criteria under each project area as listed below

1. Wildlife Conservation
   1. scientific and conservation value and impact on in-situ wildlife conservation;
   2. applicants or collaborators' research ability, experience, and previous project performance;
   3. presence of clear and achievable goals, sound methodology, reasonable timeline, realistic budget, and detailed work plan;
   4. effectiveness on enhancing local capacity community or students in professional techniques, conservation, or research ability; and
   5. presence of specific and practical long-term plans for conserving the target species/habitat that is proposed by experts of the field, stakeholders and the project team after thorough discussion, presence of follow-up actions to achieve the target.
       
2. Social Science-based Conservation
   1. ability to enhance the knowledge/ability of the participants or raise conservation awareness, and induce prominent and long-term attitudinal and behavioural change;
   2. applicants or collaborators' community leadership and local knowledge, and previous project performance;
   3. presence of clear and achievable goals, sound methodology, reasonable timeline, realistic budget, and detailed work plan;
   4. effectiveness on mitigating/eliminating specific threats or restoring the targeted species/habitat, and bring significant, long-term benefits to the local community through capacity building; and
   5. presence of a comprehensive evaluation of effectiveness can be achieved with detailed, realistic plan and specific indicators.

The Foundation solicits proposals worldwide, but the proposed work must be conducted in countries or regions in Asia according to United Nations Statistical Division plus Papua New Guinea, higher priority will be given to projects located in Hong Kong among applications of similar quality. Coastal countries connected to Asia where funding is limited and with threatened wide-ranging Asian species (e.g. Far East Russian western gray whales), will be considered.

The Foundation strives to allocate funding across a wide range of threatened species in both terrestrial and marine environments. Funding priority will be given to threatened Asian species listed in the IUCN Red List categories of Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable. Projects addressing species in the Data Deficient or Near Threatened categories will also be considered.

To encourage local researchers in the host country to take the lead in conserving threatened species in their countries and to build local capacity, the majority of funding will be granted to projects with local researchers in the host country as Principal Investigators, whilst the remaining portion will support projects led by international institutes and research teams with the participation of local people.

Funding priority will be given to projects aligned with one or more of the three main themes highlighted below, multiple themes are allowed.

Theme 1: Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges to biodiversity conservation, yet its impact and effect on wildlife are still largely unknown. The Foundation encourages projects that strive to increase the understanding of climate change effects on threatened wildlife and their habitats, and that generate local solutions to this global phenomenon.  Projects that include components or mechanisms of carbon offset will be prioritised. Preferred project areas include but are not limited to the following:

1. Understanding the ecological impacts of climate change to threatened wildlife, e.g. shifts in species’ ranges and the timing of biological activities;
2. Retaining critical habitats of wildlife affected by climate change by enhancing current protected areas or establishing new protected areas in potential areas after range shift;
3. Reducing carbon emission from deforestation, forest fire and forest or wetland degradation by adaptive and sustainable habitat management practices in wildlife habitats; and
4. Sequestrating carbon through reforestation/afforestation programmes with the consideration of restoring and reconnecting critical habitats of wildlife by using native plant species.

Theme 2: Marine Conservation

Marine ecosystems provide a range of critical and undervalued ecosystem services that are fundamental to the health and stability of our society.  However, overexploitation, pollution, and other forms of anthropogenic disturbances continued to threaten the marine wildlife of Asia.  The Foundation welcomes projects that focuses on protecting our delicate marine environment. Relevant project areas include but are not limited to:

1. Scientific studies that estimate the current status of target species and investigate threats to species survival with specific actions to mitigate such threats;
2. Conservation and management of critical marine habitats such as coral reefs;
3. Understanding and identifying impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on local wildlife and ecosystems such as marine debris, physical and chemical pollution; and
4. Innovative solutions and programmes to alleviate threats against marine wildlife, including overexploitation and illegal trade of marine species.

Theme 3: Endangered Terrestrial and Freshwater Wildlife

Endangered Asian species continues to be imperilled by habitat loss, population decline, various forms of pollution, overharvesting, trafficking, and numerous other anthropogenic influences, which many scientists believe are leading up to the sixth mass extinction event. Given the complex yet sometimes specific conservation needs of each taxa, the Foundation encourages projects to proactively address conservation needs of threatened terrestrial and freshwater species in Asia through scientific studies, conservation programmes or public participation. Relevant project areas include but are not limited to:

1. Scientific studies that estimate the current status of target species and investigate threats to species survival with specific actions to mitigate such threats;
2. Retaining critical habitats by site protection and/or threat mitigation;
3. Science-based species recovery and reintroduction programmes with monitoring of post-release success;
4. Capacity building for and engagement in species/habitat protection by the local community through education programmes, campaigns, workshops, seminars, conferences and innovative alternative-livelihood programmes.

1. Project duration and total funding:
   1. Regular projects: lasting between 1-2 years, average funding granted is usually between around HK$250,000 to HK$300,000, although there is no upper limit.
   2. Long-term projects: lasting between 3-5 years, funding is capped at HK$1,000,000 for the entire project.
      
      Funding covers relevant project expenses during the approved project period as stated in the application.  Please use the financial year of the Foundation, which is from July to June, when filling in the budget for the different financial years in the application form.  Failure to do so may affect the funding application.
       
2. Principal Investigator (PI), Deputy PI and Co-Investigator(s): Each applicant can submit only one application as the Principal Investigator of a project and act as PI in not more than two concurrent projects funded by the Foundation. The PI shall take up full responsibility for the project and ensure project completion with satisfactory conservation outcomes.  He/she shall also be an official member of the affiliated institute and the main contact person. Deputy PI shall be the lead Co-Investigator for the project and shall be the secondary contact person. One Co-I is required to be from the same institution as the PI. The Foundation will not support projects with students as the PI, but they can be listed as Deputy PI or Co-I.
    
3. Personnel expenses: The Foundation may consider providing subsidies only to local partners, such as research or field assistants. Please provide detailed justification for requests to subsidise personnel expenses. Salaries of PI and Deputy PI will not be supported.
    
4. Student subsidy: The Foundation may support fieldwork expenses, i.e. transportation, travel, meals and accommodations, but tuition fees or living costs of students will not be supported
    
5. Project Manager: Project Manager is optional for any managerial personnel from the affiliated institute to oversee the project progress and s/he may or may not participate in project implementation.
    
6. Taxes, overhead costs and management fees: The Foundation will only allow budget allocation for governmental expense, such as taxes.  The Foundation will not pay for administrative or management fees and other indirect costs from universities, research institutes and non-governmental organisations. A request to waive these fees from the institute or organisation is encouraged to allocate more funding to fieldwork.
    
7. Agreement: Agreement can be entered with and payment can only be made to an affiliated institute, which must be a legal entity and not an individual. Exceptional cases will be considered separately. It is the applicants' responsibility to secure proper means of payment between the foundation and the affiliated institute. PIs need to ensure that the provided bank accounts have capacity to receive donation outside their countries.  Excessive administrative requirements may result in disqualification of grantee or termination of contract.
    
8. Receiving and returning foreign funds: PI has the obligation to ensure their affiliated institute has the capacity to receive funding from Hong Kong and refund to Hong Kong. The Foundation will only accept methods of direct payments to and from the Principal Investigator’s affiliated Institution’s bank account.  It is the PI’s responsibility to acquire and complete all documentation to facilitate reception of funds. The Foundation will not pay for, nor be responsible for additional documents needed to receive payment.  Excessive administrative requirements may could affect project application or lead to termination of contract if outside funds cannot be received or returned. Institutes that fail to return unspent funding upon request will be blacklisted.
   
   Receiving and returning foreign funds in China: The Foundation is not a registered NGO in China. Since the changes in China NGO laws in 2016, the Foundation has had mixed success in sending funding into China, given the high variability in requirements of local government. PIs are strongly encouraged to investigate the local registration process they may need to go through should their application be successful. The Foundation cannot promise to provide any documentation that maybe needed during registration or banking. The Foundation will also not be responsible for any additional cost associated with such administrative procedures. Institutes that fail to return unspent funding upon request will be blacklisted.
    
9. Payments: The first payment will be made after a duly-signed contract is in place, whilst subsequent payments will only be made upon receipt of progress/final reports and measurable deliverables. The final payment further requires a verified financial statement prepared by the affiliated institute. The Foundation may withhold payments if researchers fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement.
    
10. Equipment purchase: Any equipment purchased using the Foundation's funds shall belong to the Foundation, and the Foundation reserves the right to claim ownership of the equipment. A request (via Equipment Donation Form) shall be sent to the Foundation asking for keeping the equipment to the Principal Investigator's institution for future use, which shall be subject to the Foundation's approval.
     
11. Previously-funded project: Application for the study of the same species at the same location supported by OPCFHK funding in the past will be considered only if significant new conservation outcomes are anticipated during this period, or if the study builds on the knowledge of the species, such as a long-term population assessment of a species.
     
12. New Contributions: The PI is expected to illustrate the differences between the new project and any previous work done by either the PI or a different researcher or organization in the application.

13. Overcoming barriers: The PI is required to identify potential barriers in completing the project, especially in view of the coronavirus pandemic in recent years and with the different pandemic measures in different countries. The PI should outline how they will overcome such barriers or any contingency plans they can implement, in a national or cross border setting.

14. Underperforming investigators: Researchers who failed to submit, or submitted reports or extension requests later than the deadline without reasonable justification and prior agreement with the Foundation, or whose project outcomes are of unsatisfactory standards will be notified. Principal investigator with unsatisfactory performance will be banned from applying new grant in the next two funding cycles.

15. Dissemination of project findings: Researchers are expected to publish project findings in international peer-reviewed scientific journals or in publicly accessible channels. Acknowledgement of support by the Foundation shall be included in the publications. Please state “Funding support was provided by Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK) (INSERT GRANT CODE)” in publications or any printed materials. To promote open access, researchers are also encouraged to deposit their raw data at publicly accessible platforms or online repositories (e.g. Dryad). Upon project completion, researchers are required to prepare a summary of project findings to be uploaded onto the OPCFHK website. The final report will also be uploaded onto the OPCFHK website after 3 years of project completion without further notice.
     
16. Internship opportunities: To encourage capacity building of in-situ conservation experience to university students, proposals offering internship opportunities to university students from Hong Kong will be given a higher priority among proposals of similar quality.
     
17. Research Ethics: The Principal investigator is required to fill in a research ethics declaration form and upload during the application process. The Principal Investigator should have received the necessary approval before the submission of application, failure to do so may affect the application.
     
18. Plagiarism: Principal investigator is required to upload anti-plagiarism scan of the application materials by any anti-plagiarism software (e.g. Turnitin) during the application process for reviewers’ reference. Failure to do so will lead to the disqualification the application.
     
19. Communication Plan: In order to encourage the Principal Investigator to share their research and project findings widely for education and conservation purposes, the Principal Investigator is required to include a communication plan in their proposal. The plan will outline the mode of media used, the frequency of communication, and the target audience the Principal Investigator will plan to achieve, during the project duration.

The Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is composed of eminent local and overseas scientists and conservationists.  This committee will be reviewing the funding applications between February and March 2024 based on the selection criteria listed above.  Applicants may be required to provide further information to address SAC's comments.

Results of all applications will be announced by mid-July 2024 and for successful applications, agreements will be signed along with the transfer of the first instalment of funding thereafter.

Please refer to "INFORMATION FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS" for further details.

OPCFHK envisions a world where Asian wildlife remains biologically diverse under the stewardship of humans, corporations and governments.  We are committed to advocating, facilitating and participating in effective conservation efforts of Asian wildlife, as well as their habitats.  This will be achieved through partnerships, fundraising, research and education. 

As a new initiative to contribute to the local ecology and society, the Foundation has created a funding programme focused on Hong Kong’s local biodiversity.  Applications are invited for projects which can demonstrate the potential for long term, beneficial impacts on the conservation of Hong Kong’s habitats and associated biodiversity. 

It is anticipated that funded projects will adopt a habitat-approach in conserving biodiversity in Hong Kong’s humid subtropical climate landscape. Furthermore, funded projects should foster collaboration among various parties, including but not limited to OPCFHK, different universities or educational institutes, non-government organizations, and the wider community.

1. Habitat Conservation: This funding programme is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of local habitats, with a primary focus on biodiversity conservation.
2. Collaboration and Partnership: We aim to foster collaboration and partnership between multiple organizations, emphasizing a proven history of working together to maximize project effectiveness. The power of partnerships is central to achieving our conservation goals.
3. Education and Outreach for Sustainability: This funding programme shall integrate a strong and clearly defined education and outreach component, aiming to raise awareness about Hong Kong’s biodiversity, promote stewardship, and create a lasting impact on the community.

Applications will be assessed based on the following selection criteria as listed below:

1. Scientific and conservation value and impact on conserving habitat and associated biodiversity;
2. Applicants or collaborators' research and communication ability, experience, and previous project performance;
3. Presence of clear and achievable goals, sound methodology, reasonable timeline, realistic budget, and detailed work plan
4. Clear demonstration of collaboration and partnerships, including the involvement of OPCFHK and other communities.
5. Robust education and outreach component, actively involving local schools and/or community members to increase awareness of Hong Kong's biodiversity and habitat conservation needs.
6. Specific, measurable outcomes demonstrating the potential for creating a positive and lasting impact on Hong Kong's habitats and biodiversity.

1. Project duration and total funding:   Projects should be no longer that 3 years, with funding capped at HK$1,500,000 for the entire project. Funding covers relevant project expenses during the approved project period as stated in the application.  Please use the financial year of the Foundation, which is from July to June, when filling in the budget for the different financial years in the application form.  Failure to do so may affect the funding application.
    
2. Principal Investigator (PI), Deputy PI and Co-Investigator(s): Each applicant can submit only one application as the Principal Investigator of a project and act as PI in not more than two concurrent projects funded by the Foundation. The PI shall take up full responsibility for the project and ensure project completion with satisfactory conservation outcomes.  He/she shall also be an official member of the affiliated institute and the main contact person. Deputy PI shall be the lead Co-Investigator for the project and shall be the secondary contact person.  One Co-I is required to be from the same institution as the PI.  The Foundation will not support projects with students as the PI, but they can be listed as Deputy PI or Co-I.
    
3. Personnel expenses: The Foundation may consider providing subsidies only to local partners, such as research or field assistants.  Please provide detailed justification for requests to subsidise personnel expenses.  Salaries or other similar payments for PI, Deputy PI and Co-I will not be supported.
    
4. Student subsidy: The Foundation may support fieldwork expenses, i.e. transportation, travel, meals and accommodations, but tuition fees or living costs of students will not be supported.
    
5. Project Manager: Project Manager is optional for any managerial personnel from the affiliated institute to oversee the project progress and he/she may or may not participate in project implementation.
    
6. Taxes, overhead costs and management fees: The Foundation will only allow budget allocation for governmental expense, such as taxes.  The Foundation will not pay for administrative or management fees and other indirect costs from universities, research institutes and non-governmental organisations.  A request to waive these fees from the institute or organisation is encouraged to allocate more funding to fieldwork.
    
7. Agreement: Agreement can be entered with and payment can only be made to an affiliated institute, which must be a legal entity and not an individual.  Exceptional cases will be considered separately.  It is the applicants’ responsibility to secure proper means of payment between the Foundation and the affiliated institute.  PIs need to ensure that the provided bank accounts have capacity to receive donation outside their countries.  Excessive administrative requirements may result in disqualification of grantee or termination of contract.
    
8. Receiving and returning funds: PI has the obligation to ensure their affiliated institute has the capacity to receive and return funding. The Foundation will only accept methods of direct payments to and from the Principal Investigator’s affiliated Institution’s bank account.  It is the PI’s responsibility to acquire and complete all documentation to facilitate reception of funds.  The Foundation will not pay for, nor be responsible for additional documents needed to receive payment.  Excessive administrative requirements could affect project application or lead to termination of contract if outside funds cannot be received.  Institutes that fail to return unspent funding upon request will be blacklisted.
    
9. Payments: The first payment will be made after a duly-signed contract is in place, whilst subsequent payments will only be made upon receipt of progress/final reports and measurable deliverables.  The final payment further requires a verified financial statement prepared by the affiliated institute.  The Foundation may withhold payments if researchers fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement.
    
10. Equipment purchase: Any equipment purchased using the Foundation’s funds shall belong to the Foundation, and the Foundation reserves the right to claim ownership of the equipment.  At the end of project (completion or termination), the PI needs to declare a full list of equipment purchased with OPCFHK’s funding and if any of the equipment is intended to be donated to the project’s institute by submitting the Equipment Donation Form.  The form shall be sent to the Foundation and donation request will be subjected to the Foundation’s approval.
     
11. New Contributions: The PI is expected to illustrate the differences between the new project and any previous work done by either the PI or a different researcher or organization in the application.
     
12. Overcoming barriers: The PI is required to identify potential barriers in completing the project, especially in view of the coronavirus pandemic in recent years and with the different pandemic measures in different countries. The PI should outline how they will overcome such barriers or any contingency plans they can implement, in a national or cross border setting.
     
13. Underperforming investigators: The priority for future applications will be lower for researchers who submitted reports or extension requests later than the deadline without reasonable justification and prior agreement with the Foundation, or whose previous project outcomes are not of satisfactory standards.  Principal Investigator with unsatisfactory performance will be banned from applying for a new grant in the next two funding cycles.
     
14. Dissemination of project findings: Researchers are expected to publish project findings in international peer-reviewed scientific journals or in publicly accessible channels.  Acknowledgement of support by the Foundation shall be included in the publications.  Please state “Funding support was provided by Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK) (INSERT GRANT CODE)” in publications or any printed materials.  To promote open access, researchers are also encouraged to deposit their raw data at publicly accessible platforms or online repositories (e.g. Dryad).  Upon project completion, researchers are required to prepare a summary of project findings to be uploaded onto the OPCFHK website.  The final report will also be uploaded onto the OPCFHK website after 3 years of project completion without further notice.
     
15. Internship opportunities: To encourage capacity building of in-situ conservation experience to university students, proposals with specific plan to offer internship opportunities to students who participate in University Students Sponsorship Programme (USSP) in Hong Kong will be given a higher priority among proposals of similar quality.  
     
16. Research Ethics: The Principal Investigator is required to fill in a research ethics declaration form and upload during the application process.  The Principal Investigator should have received the necessary approval before the submission of application, failure to do so may affect the application.
     
17. Plagiarism: Principal Investigator is required to upload anti-plagiarism scan of the application materials by any anti-plagiarism software (e.g. Turnitin) during the application process for reviewers’ reference.  Failure to do so will lead to the disqualification the application.
     
18. Communication Plan: in order to encourage the Principal Investigator to share their research and project findings widely for education and conservation purposes, the Principal Investigator is required to include a communication plan in their proposal. The plan will outline the mode of media used, the frequency of communication, and the target audience the Principal Investigator will plan to achieve, during the project duration.
     

The Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is composed of eminent local and overseas scientists and conservationists.  This committee will be reviewing the funding applications between April and May 2024 based on the selection criteria listed above.  Applicants may be required to provide further information to address SAC's comments.

Results of all applications will be announced by mid-July 2024 and for successful applications, agreements will be signed along with the transfer of the first instalment of funding thereafter.

Please refer to "INFORMATION FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS" for further details.