Oriental Bird Club

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £30,000-40,000 (conservation grants)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000 (typical £1,500-3,000)
• Geographic Focus: Oriental region (Asia from Pakistan to Indonesia and Japan)

Contact Details

• Website: http://www.orientalbirdclub.org
• Email: mail@orientalbirdclub.org
• Phone: 776823599
• Conservation Fund Contact: conservationgrants@orientalbirdclub.org

Overview

Founded in 1985, the Oriental Bird Club (OBC) is a UK-registered charity dedicated to encouraging interest in wild birds of the Oriental region and their conservation. The charity operates with annual income of approximately £100,000-150,000 and focuses on supporting bird conservation projects across Asia through its Conservation Fund, which has awarded over £500,000 in grants since its inception. The OBC takes a strategic approach to funding by prioritizing threatened species, capacity building for local conservationists, and projects that combine research with practical conservation outcomes. The organization maintains strong partnerships with BirdLife International partners across Asia and has recently increased its focus on supporting early-career conservationists from the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Conservation Grants: £500 - £5,000 (supporting field projects, research, education, and capacity building)
• Application via email submission, annual deadline typically in November
• Focus on threatened bird species and Important Bird Areas

• Publication Support Grants: Up to £2,000 (supporting field guides and conservation publications)
• Rolling basis applications
• Priority for materials in local languages

Priority Areas

• Conservation of globally threatened bird species in Asia
• Protection and management of Important Bird Areas
• Capacity building for Asian conservationists
• Community-based conservation initiatives
• Research that directly informs conservation action
• Environmental education and awareness programs
• Support for early-career conservationists from the region

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the Oriental region
• Pure academic research without conservation applications
• Infrastructure or capital equipment over £1,000
• Ongoing organizational running costs
• Projects focused solely on captive breeding
• International conference attendance (except for presenting project results)

Ready to write a winning application for Oriental Bird Club?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The OBC is governed by a Council of trustees with expertise in Asian ornithology and conservation. The Conservation Committee, comprising experts with extensive field experience across Asia, reviews all grant applications. Key members include representatives from major conservation organizations and academic institutions with Asian bird expertise. The committee particularly values applications that demonstrate collaboration with local communities and conservation organizations.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via email to conservationgrants@orientalbirdclub.org. The main grant round opens in September with a deadline in November. Applicants must submit:

• Completed application form (available from website)
• Detailed budget breakdown
• CV of principal investigator
• Letters of support from local partners
• For amounts over £3,000, two references are required

Decision Timeline

• Application deadline: Usually late November
• Review process: December-February
• Decisions communicated: March
• Funds disbursed: Within 4 weeks of approval

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not published, but the OBC typically funds 15-25 projects annually from their conservation fund.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years. Previous grant recipients must complete final reports before applying for new funding. The OBC encourages applicants to seek feedback on unsuccessful applications to improve future submissions.

Application Success Factors

Based on previously funded projects and OBC priorities:

• Projects targeting species listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List receive priority
• Strong partnerships with local communities and conservation organizations are essential
• Clear conservation outcomes and measurable objectives strengthen applications
• Projects led by or substantially involving Asian nationals are particularly welcomed
• Combining research with practical conservation action and community engagement
• Realistic budgets with matched funding from other sources demonstrate good planning
• Previous OBC grant recipients with successful project completion have higher success rates

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus applications on globally threatened Asian bird species for highest priority consideration
• Demonstrate strong local partnerships and community involvement
• Keep grant requests between £1,500-3,000 for best success chances
• Submit applications well before the November deadline for thorough review
• Include clear conservation outcomes, not just research objectives
• Highlight capacity building elements for local conservationists
• Consider applying for smaller initial grants to establish relationship with OBC

References

• Oriental Bird Club Official Website (http://www.orientalbirdclub.org) -
• OBC Conservation Fund Guidelines and Application Information - Website conservation section
• OBC Annual Reports and Conservation Grant Awards listings
• BirdLife International Partnership information
• Charity Commission UK Registry (Charity Number: 297242)