Rhinoceros Conservation Fund

Provide financial assistance for projects for the effective, long-term conservation of African rhino populations and their habitats. The objectives are to increase population growth, management and governance improvements at key rhino sites, and to develop greater national leadership and capacity, stakeholder collaboration, and effective CITES implementation in key rhino range states. This program supports projects that prioritize direct site-based conservation actions for Key 1 and Key 2 populations and other populations that are important to the survival of critically endangered black rhinoceros. Project work occurs within rhinoceros range and show clear relevance to rhinoceros field conservation actions, identify immediate threats to rhinoceros survival and support direct conservation activities to eliminate or reduce those threats, address biological management of rhinoceros populations, demonstrate how they address regional and national rhinoceros management plans, develop capacity, and implement CITES.

Funds provided under this program support projects that will enhance programs for conservation of rhinoceros or tigers by assisting efforts to (1) implement conservation programs; (2) enhance compliance with provisions of CITES and laws of the United States or a foreign country that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceros or the use of rhinoceros habitat; or (3) develop sound scientific information on that species' habitat condition and carrying capacity, total numbers and population trends, or annual reproduction and mortality.

Proposals will be reviewed based on criteria identified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Fiscal Year2025: Strengthening management and monitoring of black rhinos in Tsavo West National Park, Kenya, to counter poaching and disrupt transnational illegal rhino horn trade.Fiscal Year2026: No new projects were funded in FY26.