The Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA) is inviting early-stage conservation finance initiatives to apply for its Incubator Program, offering mentorship, capacity building, and up to USD $25,000 in grant funding to develop feasible, scalable solutions that advance conservation finance globally.
This program targets innovative projects that mobilize funding for nature and people, strengthening long-term financial sustainability and measurable conservation impact.
What Projects Are Supported by Conservation Finance Alliance?
The CFA Incubator supports projects that:
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Develop financial instruments, business models, or investment mechanisms for conservation
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Create sustainable funding solutions for protected areas, ecosystems, or biodiversity initiatives
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Implement policy, regulatory, or non-profit mechanisms to unlock conservation finance
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Advance climate‑smart conservation or nature-based solutions
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Build community- or stakeholder-based finance initiatives
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Conduct research or feasibility studies on innovative finance approaches
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Strengthen early-stage projects with measurable environmental impact
Eligibility
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Projects must be at idea or early-stage phase with a conservation finance focus
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Open to initiatives from public, private, or civil society sectors
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Must demonstrate a credible path to long-term financial sustainability or conservation impact
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Only one project per applicant per cycle
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Preference is given to projects with high potential for impact and innovation
Not Eligible:
Projects unrelated to conservation finance, general fundraising campaigns, or ventures without a clear conservation impact. Previous CFA Incubator projects cannot reapply.
Grant Size: Up to USD $25,000 per project (8 grants awarded among 16 selected projects)
Key Dates
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Full Proposal Deadline: December 20, 2025
Applicants can submit through the Concept Feedback Window for rapid input or submit full proposals directly through the Open Call.
Application Process
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Concept Feedback Window: Receive written or 30-minute discussion feedback on your idea (until Nov 21, 2025). Feedback helps refine proposals before submission.
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Open Call for Proposals: Submit full proposals directly; deadline Dec 20, 2025.
Full proposals are reviewed by the CFA Incubator Technical Review Committee, a panel of global experts. 16 projects will be selected, with 8 receiving grant funding, and all gaining mentorship, training, and network access. Cohort announced in mid-March 2026.
Expected Outputs: Business plan, feasibility study, financial model, investor pitch deck, or implementation roadmap.
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Learn about conservation finance mechanisms: www.conservationfinance.info
Mentor Opportunities
CFA is seeking experienced conservation finance professionals to mentor Round 4 projects. Mentors guide teams on business planning, financial structuring, and implementation, helping turn innovative ideas into real-world impact.
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Become a Mentor for Round 4
Partners
The CFA Incubator is supported by Milkywire’s Nature Transformation Fund in collaboration with Klarna.
To know more about such opportunities, click here.
