JRS Biodiversity Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,461,552 (2023)
• Total Assets: $47.6 million
• Decision Time: 6+ months
• Grant Range: $30,000 - $500,000
• Average Grant: $175,000 over 3 years
• Geographic Focus: Sub-Saharan Africa exclusively
• Grants Awarded: Approximately 10-44 grants annually (varies by year)
• Application Method: RFP-based with Letters of Inquiry welcomed

Contact Details

Website: https://jrsbiodiversity.org/

Email: info@jrsbiodiversity.org

Location: Arlington, VA (with Program Officer in Nairobi, Kenya)

Pre-Application Support: Fast 2-day feedback available on proposal summaries to assess fit with foundation priorities

Overview

The JRS Biodiversity Foundation was established in 2007 using proceeds from the sale of BIOSIS (Biological Abstracts) to Thomson Scientific. Named after Jacob Richard Schramm, the founding editor of Biological Abstracts in 1925, the foundation honors its legacy of providing access to biological information. With assets of $47.6 million, JRS awards approximately $2 million annually in grants. The foundation's mission is to invest in the people and institutions who share biodiversity knowledge for Africa, focusing exclusively on expanding biodiversity data and information systems in sub-Saharan Africa. JRS began grantmaking in 2007 and has recently expanded its strategic focus to include agrobiodiversity. In 2024, President Guy Midgley was recognized with the Green Economy Award for his work in climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

JRS operates three strategic program areas:

1. Freshwater Biodiversity

• Funding range: $30,000 - $500,000
• Focus on developing freshwater biodiversity data and information systems
• Supporting conservation and sustainable development decision-making
• Example: Freshwater Research Centre received $499,320 (48 months) for FBIS-Africa: A Freshwater Biodiversity System for Africa

2. Agrobiodiversity & Pollinator Services

• Grants typically $30,000 - $200,000
• Improving biodiversity conservation outcomes in agricultural landscapes
• Collecting baseline pollinator data and developing monitoring methods
• Creating data sharing platforms relevant at regional and local levels
• Example: Nature Rwanda received $70,232 (24 months) for Enhancing Pollinator Dynamics and Conservation

3. Capacity Building & Protected Areas

• Supporting partnerships, training capacity, and strengthening networks
• In-project training with formal courses and experiential learning
• Regional capacity support and biodiversity informatics training
• Conference support for network formation and community-building

Application Methods:

• Primary: Response to Request for Proposals (RFPs) posted on website and distributed via mailing list
• Secondary: Brief Letters of Inquiry welcomed at any time (2-day feedback provided)
• Two-stage selection process: Pre-proposals (concept notes) submitted online, then invited full proposals from selected applicants

Priority Areas

• Biodiversity Data Collection: Projects that expand biodiversity data and information systems
• Data Mobilization & Visualization: Dissemination and data sharing connecting knowledge to users and decision-makers
• Capacity Building: All grants must have strong capacity-building elements
• Local & Regional Institutions: Supporting African researchers, universities, NGOs, museums, and government agencies
• Information Technology: Developing innovative technologies and methods for data collection
• Young Scientists: Emphasizing support for emerging African researchers

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals (including scholarships, individual travel, post-graduate tuition)
• Projects outside sub-Saharan Africa
• Emergency projects
• Land acquisition or endowments
• Agricultural or community economic development projects (tree plantations, beekeeping, fish farming, livelihood development)
• Education of children or public health interventions
• Political activities or lobbying

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Guy Midgley - President

• Professor at University of Stellenbosch, specializing in climate change and global change biology
• Interim Director of the School for Climate Studies
• During his presidency, encouraged the Foundation to provide "rescue" funds to African Protected Areas during the Covid Pandemic
• Quote on biodiversity resilience: "While many believe that greater biodiversity naturally fosters greater ecological resilience, I suspect this is an overly simplistic view"

Mohamed Bakarr

• Lead Environmental Specialist at Global Environment Facility
• Expertise in global environmental challenges

Carmel Mbizvo

• Biodiversity science and policy expert
• South African National Biodiversity Institute

Michael Kwame Nkonu

• Head of Agricultural Livelihoods at IKEA Foundation

Key Staff

Matthew V. Cassetta - Executive Director (joined 2021)

• Over 20 years in international diplomacy and project management focused on Africa
• Currently manages grants portfolio of over $4 million across 20+ African countries

Siro Masinde - Program Officer (Nairobi, Kenya)

• Extensive experience in biodiversity informatics
• Former GBIF Program Officer and National Museums of Kenya research scientist

John Hardies - Operations (Alexandria, VA)

• 30 years managing international grants
• Expertise in project monitoring and development work

Jennifer Piddington - Program Specialist (Philadelphia, PA)

• Background in academic institution management
• Joined 2022

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Primary Application Route - RFPs:

• All full proposals must be submitted in response to a specific Request for Proposals (RFP)
• RFPs are posted on the foundation website and distributed via mailing list
• Organizations should check the website periodically or connect via social media for updates
• Two-stage process: Pre-proposals (concept notes) submitted first, then selected applicants invited for full proposals

Alternative Route - Letters of Inquiry:

• Brief Letters of Inquiry welcomed at any time
• Can be submitted via: (1) JRS Inquiry Form, (2) Summary in website form, or (3) Upload inquiry note in own format
• JRS provides fast 2-day feedback on whether interests intersect
• Applicants should NOT develop full proposals unless invited
• Foundation recommends submitting half-page or one-page description first

Pre-Proposal Submission:

• Typically 6-8 weeks allowed for pre-proposal submission
• Submitted online before calendar deadline

Full Proposal Requirements:

• Narratives
• Timelines with key indicators/milestones
• Detailed budget
• Data sharing plan
• Risk management plan
• All budgets and financial reports must be in U.S. dollars

Eligible Organizations:

• Universities, NGOs, museums, and government agencies
• Both U.S. and international organizations (U.S. 501(c)3 status not required)
• Cannot fund individuals

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

• External and internal review: 4-8 weeks after pre-proposal submission
• Additional time may be required for revision of pre-proposals
• Selection from pool of semifinalists

Board Approval:

• Most grants approved at June or November Board meetings
• Board of Trustees makes all final funding decisions

Total Timeline:

• Average time from application to funding: 6+ months

Grant Award Process:

• Grant award letter describes conditions and requirements
• JRS treats grantees as "partners" and may help modify proposals to strengthen them
• Foundation aims to be "adaptive, attentive, and opportunistic"

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. However:

• Foundation states it awards "about 10 grants" annually on average
• Recent grant activity shows significant variation: 17 grants (2021), 21 grants (2022), 44 grants (2023)
• Does not accept unsolicited full proposals, working primarily through targeted RFPs and invited applications
• Offers 2-day feedback on Letters of Inquiry to help applicants assess fit before investing in full proposals

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy publicly documented. Organizations are encouraged to:

• Submit Letters of Inquiry at any time to assess alignment with current strategy
• Check website periodically for new RFP opportunities
• Connect via social media for updates on funding opportunities

Application Success Factors

What JRS Looks For (Direct Guidance from Foundation)

Top Reasons Proposals Are Declined:

1. Out of Scope: Project doesn't align with sub-Saharan Africa biodiversity informatics focus
2. Too Ambitious: Proposals that are "far too ambitious" for the timeline or budget
3. Weak Logical Framework: Missing clear connections between activities, outputs, and resulting outcomes

Strong Proposal Characteristics:

• Clear connections between project elements (activities → outputs → outcomes)
• Focused, realistic scope
• Specific information technology components
• Strong potential for capacity development
• Robust data sharing plan
• All grants must include capacity-building elements

Foundation's Advice:

• "Grant applications are a test but should not be a mystery!" - Ask JRS directly if unsure
• Get 2-day feedback on proposal summaries before investing time in full application
• Use downloadable application forms and online portal
• Review the foundation's "Glossary of Terms"
• Include detailed work plans and budgets
• Consider applying for planning grants if initial proposal needs refinement
• Foundation is open to co-funding existing projects, especially for IT components

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

• Freshwater Research Centre: $499,320 (48 months) for FBIS-Africa: A Freshwater Biodiversity System for Africa
• National Museums of Kenya: $34,500 (12 months) for Illuminating Understudied Caves to Highlight Plant Pollination and Seed Dispersal Services by Bats
• Rhodes University Centre for Biological Control: $45,000 (15 months) for Protecting 30x30 Gains Through Integrated Control of Prosopis and Cactus Invasions in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa
• Wild Earth Allies: $197,570 (30 months) for understanding plant use by indigenous communities in Democratic Republic of Congo
• Namibian Nature Foundation: $157,449 (18 months) for Incorporating Succulent Plant and Animal Species Information into Conservation Planning
• WildTrack & Tswalu Foundation: $31,000 (6 months) for Novel Biodiversity Metric: Small Mammal Track Analysis using AI

Key Terminology and Concepts

• Biodiversity Informatics: Collection, management, and dissemination of biodiversity data
• Data Mobilization: Making biodiversity data accessible and usable
• Capacity Building: Training, partnerships, strengthening networks, knowledge sharing
• Data Sharing Platforms: Systems like GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)

Reporting Requirements

• Periodic written reports mandatory
• Late reports (>30 days) require explanation
• Reports >60 days late may result in suspension of project activities
• Final report required at grant period's end
• Foundation works closely with grantees to adjust reporting and metrics as needed

Indirect Cost Policy

• Non-Profits/Educational Institutions: Up to 15%
• African Government Agencies: Up to 10%
• OECD Government Agencies/For-Profit Organizations: 0%
• Foundation prefers direct accounting of expenses typical of indirect costs
• Overhead on subcontracts may be restricted to 5% of passed-through funds

Open Data Policy

• Foundation committed to "free and open access to the results of its grant-funded projects"
• All projects must include data sharing plan
• Emphasis on contributing to platforms like GBIF

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Get Early Feedback: Submit a half-page to one-page Letter of Inquiry before developing full proposal - JRS offers 2-day turnaround to assess fit
• Focus on Data Systems: Projects must expand biodiversity data and information systems, not just conduct research without clear data sharing outcomes
• Capacity Building is Mandatory: All grants must include strong capacity-building elements; this is non-negotiable
• Be Realistic in Scope: Overly ambitious proposals are a top reason for rejection; focus on clear, achievable connections between activities, outputs, and outcomes
• Emphasize IT Components: Projects with specific information technology components are favored; consider co-funding opportunities for adding IT to existing projects
• Sub-Saharan Africa Only: Geographic focus is strict; projects must be in or directly support biodiversity informatics in sub-Saharan Africa
• Think Partnership: JRS views grantees as partners and may help strengthen proposals; they're collaborative and adaptive throughout the grant lifecycle
• Monitor for RFPs: Since most funding is RFP-based, regularly check the website and join their mailing list for announcements

References

• JRS Biodiversity Foundation Official Website. https://jrsbiodiversity.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "The Basics - JRS Biodiversity Foundation." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/how-to-apply/the-basics/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "Apply For a Grant - JRS Biodiversity Foundation." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/how-to-apply/apply-for-a-grant/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "People - JRS Biodiversity Foundation." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/about-jrs/people/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "Our Grants - JRS Biodiversity Foundation." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/our-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "History - JRS Biodiversity Foundation." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/about-jrs/history/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "Policies - JRS Biodiversity Foundation." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/about-jrs/policies/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "Seven Roads to Easier Grant Applications - JRS Biodiversity Foundation." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/helpproposals/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "Agrobiodiversity & Pollinator Services - JRS Biodiversity Foundation." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/our-programs/pollinators/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "Capacity Building & Partnership - JRS Biodiversity Foundation." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/our-programs/capacity/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/231352035 (Accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=JRSB001 (Accessed January 2026)
• "Prof Guy Midgley elected President of the JRS Biodiversity Foundation." Stellenbosch University. https://www.su.ac.za/en/node/6257 (Accessed January 2026)
• "JRS President Prof. Guy Midgley Recognized with Green Economy Award." https://jrsbiodiversity.org/jrs-president-prof-guy-midgley-recognized-with-green-economy-award/ (Accessed January 2026)