2008 REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PRE-PROPOSALS
The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is requesting pre-proposals for research that is directly applicable to management, propagation and conservation of rhinoceros species under intensive protection and management in the wild or maintained in captivity.
Download RFP Application:
Research Priority Target Areas
(only pre-proposals addressing the following will be considered)
Improving Translocation Success
Pre-proposals in this area may include but are not limited to:
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Sedation/transport/release
Retrospective survey (drugs, team, equipment)
Decision tree
Drug combinations -
Post-release success
Retrospective survey
Post-release monitoring -
Boma management (e.g., energy requirements, white rhino anorexia)
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Developing criteria for selecting rhinos for translocation
Improving Rhino Identification and Monitoring
Pre-proposals in this area may include but are not limited to:
- Investigating new technology for monitoring rhinos
- Improving telemetry for monitoring rhinos
Conservation Genetics
Pre-proposals in this area may include but are not limited to:
- Fecal DNA analysis
- New ways of metapopulation analysis
- Defining rhino genetic conservation units
- Diversity of the three black rhino subspecies recovering in situ and the two ex situ
Black rhino Health and Mortality Issues
Pre-proposals in this area may include but are not limited to:
- Iron overload
- Measures of stress
- Nutrition as related to black rhino disease and mortality
- Superficial necrolytic dermatitis
A panel of established scientists, veterinarians and IRF Board Members will review and score all pre-proposals. Pre-proposals will be evaluated on their quality, soundness of science, feasibility, likelihood that the results will lead to progress in resolving the challenges, effectiveness of the budget, and importance to the overall effort of maintaining healthy, self-sustaining populations of rhinos.
Projects selected to submit a full proposal will be announced
no later than 30 January 2009, with full proposals due 1 April 2009.
Project costs should range from $5,000 - $50,000 per year but exceptions to these limits may be considered. The total funding currently committed to support the RFP is approximately $250,000 but this amount may differ by the time grant evaluations are conducted. The IRF will not fund administrative overhead. Budget requests that consist primarily of salary will generally not be considered favorably. Conditional support may be committed for subsequent years of multi-year projects at the time of initial approval of a funded grant and funding will be contingent upon satisfactory review of the prior year’s performance. Multi-year projects should not exceed 3 years.
Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate:
- Scientific Soundness - projects must follow accepted scientific principles so results are credible.
- Relevancy - projects must aim to significantly improve the conservation management of rhinos.
- Cost Benefit - each project must aim to obtain scientific information or an applicable benefit for the money expended.
- Projects with matching funds or supported by sound preliminary data.
- Past Performance - Principal investigators must have a reputation for completing projects, publishing results in an expeditious manner and cooperating with funding agencies in providing reports and educational materials. If awarded funding previously by the IRF, satisfactory performance on previous grant awards is essential.
- Humane Treatment - Projects must meet humane standards of care when animals are involved. Each of these studies must be approved by the appropriate agency at the facility or institution where the study is conducted.
