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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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THT Conservation Grant and THT Action Grant

  1. Is there any focus geography for The Habitats Trust Grants?

    • THT Grants accepts proposals for conservation of India’s natural habitats and native species of flora and fauna and does not focus on any particular geography. The proposed projects must have direct conservation benefits to threatened habitats and/or species.

  2. Can I apply for more than one grant?

    • No, an organisation or individual can submit only one application.

  3. Can I apply for the same project applied for in a previous grants cycle?

    • Yes.

  4. Can an organisation apply if it is already associated or has been associated with The Habitats Trust?

    • The organisation/individual must have completed one year following the completion of a previous THT-funded initiative before making an application under THT Grants 2023.

  5. Can I email/post my application?

    • No, we only accept applications through the THT Grants online portal.

  6. What documents are required to apply?

    • Please find below a list of mandatory documents you need to upload as part of your application:

      THT Conservation Grant: PAN Card, Registration document: Certificate of Incorporation/ Registered Trust Deed/ Society Registration Certificate, Memorandum of Association & Articles of Association /Bye-Laws, Certificate of exemption under Section 80G/Section 35(1)(ii) of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, Certificate of registration under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, CSR – 1 certificate, Income Tax Returns for FY 2020-21 and 2021-22, Audited Financials for FY 2019-20, FY 2020-21, and FY 2021-22, CV of key personnel, FCRA registration certificate (if registered), compliance checklist, and signed and stamped declaration form (as per format).

      THT Action Grant (Organisations): PAN Card, Registration document: Certificate of Incorporation/ Registered Trust Deed/ Society Registration Certificate, Memorandum of Association & Articles of Association /Bye-Laws, Certificate of exemption under Section 80G/Section 35(1)(ii) of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, Certificate of registration under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act,1961, CSR – 1 certificate, Income Tax Returns for FY 2020-21 and FY 2021- 22, Audited Financials for FY 2021-22, CV of key personnel, FCRA registration certificate (if registered), compliance checklist, and signed and stamped declaration form (as per format).

      THT Action Grant (Individuals): Resume/CV of applicant with image, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Income Tax Returns for FY 2020-21 and 2021-22, letters of recommendation and signed declaration form.

  7. Is it possible to make modifications to the application once submitted?

    • No. Once your application is submitted, no changes are allowed. It is recommended you review your application before submitting.

  8. Is there an application/registration fee to apply for the THT Grants?

    • No, there are no charges to apply for THT Grants.

  9. What is the deadline for submission of application?

    • For the THT Conservation Grant and THT Action Grant, we are accepting applications from May 3, 2023 to June 5, 2023. The THT Seed Grant is open for applications all year round.

  10. Will I get a copy of my application once submitted?

    • Yes. On submission of your application, a PDF is generated, which you can download from the top right corner of the application portal.

  11. How will I get to know if my application was submitted?

    • After submitting your application, a confirmation and acknowledgment email will be sent automatically to your registered email ID. If you do not receive an email within 24 hours of the submission, please write to us at grants@thehabitatstrust.org

  12. Will the THT Grants amount be given in cash or kind?

    • The grant amount is transferred to the grant recipients’ bank account. For THT Conservation Grant recipients, the amount is given in a bank account opened by the organisation, specifically for the implementation of the proposed project.

  13. When will the results be announced?

    • In December 2023 for THT Grants 2023. Exact dates will be announced closer to the end of the year on our website and social media platforms.

  14. When will the project begin for the recipients?

    • The THT Grants 2023 recipients will have to commence the project by April 2024.

  15. I have applied for my not-for-profit’s registration certificates but have not received them yet. Am I eligible to apply?

    • THT Seed Grant: An organisation applying for the Seed Grant must be a 4/7 registered not-for-profit entity in India i.e., Society, Trust, Section 8 (previously Section 25) company or an approved scientific research association under Section 35(1)(ii).
      THT Conservation Grant: Applicants must have completed 5 years of functional existence (as per registration certificate) in India on or before March 31, 2023. THT Action Grant: Applicants must have completed 2 years of functional existence (as per registration certificate).
      If you do not have the relevant certifications, unfortunately you will not be eligible for applying for the grant.

  16. Should the organisation be a registered entity having 80G/35 (1)(ii)/12A/Audited Accounts to apply?

    • Yes, an organisation must be a registered not-for-profit entity in India [Society, Trust and Section 8 (earlier section 25) company or an approved scientific research association under Section 35(1)(ii)]. An organisation applying must have registration under Section 12AB, 80G or 35(1)(ii) of Income Tax Act, 1961.

  17. Is renewal of 12A & 80G under New Registration Procedure under section 12AB mandatory for applying The Habitats Trust Grants?

    • The new registration procedure prescribed under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act requires all existing trusts and institutions to re-register themselves under section 12AB of the Income Tax Act from April 1, 2021. According to the new Compliance with regards to section 12A and section 12AA, All NGOs presently having exemption u/s 12AA of the IT Act shall have to reapply for the same by March 31, 2022 (As extended). and shall have to obtain new registration under Section 12AB.

  18. Can a professor or research scholar from an academic institution apply for the grant?

    • Yes, you are eligible to apply for the THT Action Grant and THT Seed Grant as an individual. Please note that proposed projects must have direct conservation 5/7 benefits to threatened habitats or species. Pure academic research work will not be considered; however, consideration will be given in the case of data gathering for data deficient species or habitats which may be a critical element in developing a conservation or management strategy.

  19. As faculty from a Government College (Govt. Institute), are we eligible to apply for the grants as an institution?

    • Associations/Institutes having a valid registration under section 35(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act,1961 can apply for the grants. Individuals who are not currently full- time employees of any registered not-for-profit entity in India i.e., Society, Trust, Section 8 (previously Section 25) company can also apply.

  20. Are government colleges allowed to apply for the grants at an institutional level?

    • Associations/Institutes having a valid registration under section 35(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act,1961 can apply for the grants.

  21. Can a research Association/Institutions apply for the grant?

    • Associations/Institutes that have a valid registration as an approved scientific research association under section 35(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are also eligible to apply for the grants.

  22. I work for a for-profit company/enterprise; can I apply for Action Grant or Seed Grant?

    • Yes, you can apply if that’s the case. However, to apply for the Action Grant, individuals should not be full-time employees or board members of any registered not-for-profit entity in India.

  23. Is FCRA registration mandatory for applying in the organisations category?

    • No, since it’s a domestic grant, FCRA registration is not mandatory to receive this grant, however if the organisation has an FCRA, we encourage them to provide it to us along with the application form.

  24. Expenditure of more than INR 50 Lacs for Conservation Grant should be pertaining to which financial year?

    • The applicant organisation should have an average expenditure of INR 50 lakhs in the financial year 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22. The average expenditure is examined and computed for the Conservation Grant application using the formula below:
      [Total Expenditure (2019 - 20) + Total Expenditure (2020 − 21) + Total Expenditure (2021 − 22)]3

      Herein, Total Expenditure is the Net Expenditure (Gross Expenditure – Surplus/Unspent expenditure) incurred by the organisation, as captured in the Income & Expenditure table of Annual Audited Financials. Audited financials of the last 3 financial years, FY 2019-20, FY 2020-21, and FY 2021-22 are taken into consideration for the evaluation.

  25. What are the criteria for evaluation of proposed projects?

    • Organisations are evaluated based on their organisational background, financial sustenance, capacity to deliver. The projects are evaluated based on the problem statement and the solution, activities and methodologies, relevance, potential impact, etc.

  26. If the organisation’s primary objective is employment generation, education, healthcare etc., can they also apply for The Habitats Trust Grant?

    • The Habitats Trust Grants aims to recognise and support organisations and individuals whose primary objective is to conserve natural habitats and native species of flora and fauna. The object clause in the MoA/Trust deed of the organisation should be inclusive of the requirements of the grants. Employment generation, education, healthcare, etc. may be secondary criteria or by-products of the proposed project and its activities.

  27. Do THT Grants support projects for filming education and awareness documentaries on habitats and their rare and unique wildlife?

    • The Grants do not support wildlife documentary films. Proposed projects must have direct conservation benefits to threatened habitats or species.

  28. Can I apply for conservation of flora?

    • Yes.

  29. Can equipment, including fixed assets, be purchased under the grant?

    • Yes. The Habitats Trust encourages the use and re-use of equipment purchased with the grant amount. Organisations/individuals are required to clearly mention the use of the equipment during the project, and after its completion.

  30. What is the difference between Recommendations and References?

    • Recommendations are formal letters showcasing why you should get this grant by the recommender. This should be on an official letterhead or signed off by the person attesting your work.
      Whereas references can be from anyone who is familiar with your work in the field. We will get in touch with your references at a later stage.