Unsolicited Funding Request

WIRES works in close partnership with funders and grantees on a broad range of emergency wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, recovery, and preservation projects, and generally does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Grant funding supporting wildlife projects across Australia, is currently provided via:

Please review the details of these programs, and if your project is eligible for these programs, please apply to these as new grant rounds open. WIRES does not encourage funding requests outside of the above programs, however, WIRES is always open to new and innovative ideas, programs, and partnerships, that will deliver long-term value and impact for native animals.

At times, an exceptional project or opportunity outside the parameters of existing programs may arise, that could significantly improve outcomes for high numbers of individual animals, or the future trajectory of an entire species. In a rare occasion such as this, WIRES may consider supporting an unsolicited grant funding request.

Submitting an Unsolicited Expression of Interest for Grant Funding:

Read the eligibility criteria and assessment guidelines;
If you believe your project may be eligible and you understand and are happy to comply with the assessment guidelines please email [email protected] and if your project is appropriate you will be forwarded a proposal form to submit;
Write a Project Cover Letter explaining why the project falls outside the parameters of WIRES existing programs, the critical nature of the project and the transformational long-term benefits expected to be delivered for the animals or species impacted;

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Proposal will deliver tangible long-term benefits for Australian native animals, in line with WIRES’ mission and objectives,
Demonstrated expertise in delivering similar projects with successful outcomes,
Addressing key knowledge gaps for the relevant species that could be immediately applied to improve rescue, rehabilitation, recovery, or conservation outcomes,
Demonstrated intent to actively engage with WIRES in a positive, long-term partnership,
Maximum 10% cap (inclusive) for any admin, overhead, and reporting line items,
Rescue and rehabilitation projects must be led by applicants licenced or authorised to work with wildlife in line with local state or territory requirements, and able to demonstrate their compliance with existing licences and codes.
Proposals would need to be for projects or programs unlike anything WIRES has already funded, and unlike work that WIRES is undertaking or planning.
Successful acquittal of any previous WIRES funding received,
Ideally, confirmed co-funding of at least 50%, and significant in-kind contributions.

Ineligible Projects/Items

Business-as-usual expenses, including funding for staff, products, or services, that would be required on an ongoing basis,
Marketing, advertising, or promotional expenses,
Capital expenses including buildings or vehicles.

Assessment Guidelines

There is no allocated funding for unsolicited projects. Requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, within WIRES operational context and priorities at that time.
There are unlimited numbers of excellent projects that could benefit wildlife and it is impossible for WIRES to approve all the requests we receive. There are no guarantees that unsolicited proposals will be funded in full or in part. Not receiving funding does not imply that there is no merit to the project(s) proposed.
For unsolicited proposals no dates for funding decisions can be provided. At this stage it is expected that requests will be reviewed bi-annually, although this may take place quarterly in some instances.
Eligible proposals will be reviewed by internal and external assessment panels.
If a project is approved for grant funding, WIRES would prepare a formal grant agreement for the approved scope, and the successful applicant would be expected to abide by all WIRES grant requirements, including adhering to deadlines for project reporting and acquittals.

Wildlife Programs