Introduction
The Neotropical Grassland Conservancy (NGC) is a United States-based nonprofit organisation that supports grassland conservation in Central and South America by providing research grants, student funding and scientific equipment.
The organisation focuses on helping Latin American students, scientists and conservation professionals conduct research and build long-term careers in biodiversity conservation. Its programmes address practical barriers that frequently prevent promising researchers from completing field studies, such as limited access to equipment, transportation, accommodation and consumable research supplies.
The Conservancy’s work covers:
- Tropical and subtropical grasslands
- Savannas
- Gallery forests
- Wetlands
- Grassland plants and wildlife
- Biodiversity research
- Habitat conservation
- Conservation education
- Scientific capacity building
- Early-career researcher development
- Collaboration between American institutions
The Neotropical Grassland Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation founded in 2001.
History and Background
The Neotropical Grassland Conservancy was established in 2001 in response to the rapid loss of grassland habitats in Latin America and the limited resources available to local researchers studying these ecosystems.
The organisation’s founders and volunteers recognised that talented Latin American scientists and students often lacked basic resources such as binoculars, GPS units, microscopes, field supplies and travel funding.
NGC developed a cost-effective model that directs relatively small grants and donated equipment towards researchers who can generate important conservation knowledge.
Its approach is based on the understanding that:
- Local researchers possess valuable ecological knowledge
- Grasslands receive less conservation attention than tropical forests
- Small grants can enable important field research
- Scientific equipment can benefit several projects over many years
- Supporting students can build long-term conservation leadership
- Collaboration strengthens research quality and institutional capacity
The Conservancy has gradually developed three principal support mechanisms: Memorial Grants, the Research Equipment Program and the Student Grant Program.
Mission and Purpose
The Neotropical Grassland Conservancy’s mission is to make a long-term difference for Neotropical grasslands by helping launch conservation careers in ecologically important areas.
Its purpose is divided into two closely connected areas.
Conservation
NGC promotes the conservation of savannas, gallery forests, wetlands, grasslands and related ecosystems throughout Central and South America.
Its funding supports scientific research that can contribute to:
- Improved understanding of grassland ecosystems
- Identification of threatened species and habitats
- Evidence-based conservation planning
- Sustainable habitat management
- Biodiversity monitoring
- Restoration initiatives
- Environmental education
- Protection of ecological processes
Collaboration
The organisation encourages collaboration among scientists, universities, museums and conservation institutions in North, Central and South America.
This collaboration provides shared scientific and educational opportunities while strengthening professional networks among conservation researchers.
Importance of Neotropical Grasslands
Neotropical grasslands cover more than 250 million hectares and support diverse plants, birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and aquatic species.
These ecosystems provide important environmental and social benefits, including:
- Water storage and filtration
- Carbon storage
- Soil protection
- Fisheries support
- Livestock grazing
- Food and livelihood resources
- Habitat for migratory and resident wildlife
- Cultural and recreational value
Despite their ecological importance, grasslands often receive less public and scientific attention than tropical rainforests.
Threats include:
- Agricultural expansion
- Inappropriate burning
- Unsustainable grazing
- Urban development
- Infrastructure construction
- Invasive species
- Mining
- Climate change
- Wetland drainage
- Habitat fragmentation
NGC responds by supporting local people who can research, monitor and protect these landscapes.
Geographical Focus
The Conservancy supports research and conservation activities across the American tropics, particularly Central and South America.
Its geographical scope may include:
- Mexico
- Belize
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Colombia
- Venezuela
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
- Argentina
- Other eligible areas in tropical America
Eligibility can vary by programme. Applicants should confirm whether their country, institution and research location satisfy the requirements of the specific grant.
Governance and Structure
The Neotropical Grassland Conservancy is governed by a volunteer leadership team and Board. Its members contribute expertise in ecology, conservation science, finance, education, communications and nonprofit management.
The organisation states that its board members and staff volunteer their time and cover administrative costs, enabling donated funds to be directed towards conservation programmes.
President
Dr. Gary Langham serves as President. He has a background in ecology, evolutionary biology, bird conservation and environmental leadership.
His research experience in Venezuela and Bolivia exposed him to both the ecological value of Neotropical grasslands and the resource limitations experienced by local researchers.
Treasurer
Mary Anne Smith serves as Treasurer. As a Certified Public Accountant, she contributes financial-management and accounting expertise.
Secretary
Kathleen “Kam” Langham serves as Secretary and supports the organisation’s administration and commitment to student development and habitat conservation.
Fundraising Director
Dr. Jeri M. Langham serves as Fundraising Director. His professional background includes plant ecology, biological-science education and conservation.
Programme Committees
Specialised committees oversee the Conservancy’s funding programmes.
These include:
- Memorial Grants Committee
- Research Equipment Program Committee
- Student Grant Program reviewers
- External scientific reviewers
Applications are assessed by programme committee members and independent experts. This review structure helps ensure that awards are based on scientific quality, feasibility and conservation relevance.
Funding Mechanisms
The Conservancy obtains resources from individual donations, memberships, memorial funds, supporters and in-kind contributions.
Its financial model is designed to minimise administrative expenses. The organisation states that board members volunteer and donate administrative costs so that contributions can be directed to grassland conservation.
Funding is distributed through:
- Memorial Research Grants
- Student Grants
- Research Equipment awards
- Outstanding Student Awards
- Direct conservation and educational activities
NGC also accepts donated scientific equipment and educational materials when they are useful and suitable for researchers in Latin America.
Memorial Grants
The Memorial Grants Program provides one-year, unrestricted funding for conservation research.
Funds may be used for direct or indirect project costs, including salaries. Certain grants may focus on specific biological groups, ecosystems or new areas of research.
Applicants must explain how the proposed work will influence or support grassland conservation.
Eligible applicants generally include Latin American researchers affiliated with:
- Universities
- Museums
- Conservation organisations
- Other appropriate scientific institutions
Preference may be given to researchers who previously participated in the Student Grant or Research Equipment programmes and submitted their required final reports.
The annual application deadline is generally 1 March. Applicants should verify the current date before applying.
Peter Rittenhouse Kellogg Jr. Memorial Fund Grant
The Peter Rittenhouse Kellogg Jr. Memorial Fund Grant provides up to $10,000 annually for an exceptional project expected to have a lasting impact on grassland conservation.
It is NGC’s largest listed memorial research award and supports ambitious, scientifically strong conservation projects.
Applications are evaluated according to:
- Scientific merit
- Conservation impact
- Alignment with NGC’s mission
- Feasibility
- Potential for long-term benefits
Halsey M. Marsden Memorial Research Grant
The Halsey M. Marsden Memorial Research Grant provides $5,000 annually to an outstanding grassland conservation project.
The award commemorates Halsey Marsden, a naturalist and scientist with a strong interest in wild places and prairie research.
Sue Wijdenes Memorial Research Grant
The Sue Wijdenes Memorial Research Grant provides $5,000 to scientists beginning new grassland conservation research in the American tropics.
It is particularly relevant to researchers launching new lines of inquiry that can expand scientific knowledge or conservation action.
Derald G. Langham Memorial Research Grant
The Derald G. Langham Memorial Research Grant provides $2,000 for research featuring grassland plants in the American tropics.
Projects may examine:
- Plant diversity
- Plant genetics
- Grassland restoration
- Threatened plant species
- Vegetation ecology
- Plant responses to fire or grazing
- Invasive species
- Climate-change effects
- Habitat management
Memorial Grant Review Process
Memorial Grant applications are assessed by outside reviewers and members of the organisation’s Board.
Decisions are based on:
- Quality of the scientific questions
- Strength of the research design
- Feasibility within the grant period
- Applicant qualifications
- Potential conservation benefits
- Relevance to Neotropical grasslands
- Alignment with NGC’s mission
Final award decisions are made at the organisation’s annual Board meeting.
Research Equipment Program
The Research Equipment Program provides essential scientific equipment to Latin American researchers and students working in the American tropics.
The programme addresses a major obstacle faced by universities and conservation organisations that cannot afford reliable research tools.
Equipment may include:
- Microscopes
- GPS units
- Mist nets
- Video cameras
- Binoculars
- Field guides
- Scientific textbooks
- Monitoring tools
- Other basic field or laboratory equipment
Equipment may be donated to NGC or purchased specifically for an approved project.
Research Equipment Eligibility
Applicants must generally be Latin American researchers affiliated with a university or conservation organisation.
Applications are evaluated according to:
- Scientific value of the associated research
- Conservation relevance
- Number of projects that will use the equipment
- Number of students and researchers expected to benefit
- Alignment with NGC’s mission
- Potential for sustained institutional use
Applications are usually accepted three times annually, with deadlines on:
- 1 April
- 1 August
- 1 December
Applicants should check the official website for changes to the schedule.
Equipment Delivery and Ownership
NGC works with successful applicants to identify a reliable and cost-effective delivery method.
Equipment may be:
- Delivered by an NGC representative
- Sent through an academic colleague travelling to Latin America
- Shipped directly when practical
- Purchased closer to the recipient where appropriate
The equipment remains with the recipient research group to support additional projects, students and professional development.
Recipients are asked to provide annual updates on their research and the condition and use of the equipment.
Student Grant Program
The Student Grant Program was developed after Venezuelan professors identified a lack of small-scale financial support for graduate fieldwork.
Many graduate research projects are delayed or abandoned because students cannot afford essential expenses.
Student Grants may cover:
- Transportation
- Field accommodation
- Meals during fieldwork
- Consumable supplies
- Local travel
- Sample collection
- Basic research expenses
The programme provides awards of $1,500 as a single payment.
Student Grant Eligibility
Eligible applicants are Latin American students enrolled in an:
- Master of Science programme
- Doctoral or PhD programme
Students may be enrolled at a university in the United States or South America.
Applications are assessed according to:
- Demonstrated commitment to conservation
- Scientific merit
- Project feasibility
- Relevance to grassland conservation
- Alignment with NGC’s mission
- Likelihood that funding will enable meaningful research
Application deadlines are generally:
- 1 April
- 1 August
- 1 December
Student Grant Reporting Requirements
Recipients must submit a year-end report that:
- Summarises project activities
- Presents research findings
- Explains how grant funds were used
- Describes conservation relevance
- Identifies challenges and lessons learned
Students who submit an acceptable final report may become eligible for additional support.
Christopher Miller Outstanding Student Award
The Christopher Miller Outstanding Student Award provides an additional $500 annually to an exceptional Student Grant recipient.
After funded students submit final reports, NGC staff identify promising candidates. The Board then selects the annual winner.
Selection reflects:
- Quality of completed research
- Strength of the final report
- Commitment to conservation
- Potential for professional growth
- Contribution to the NGC mission
Major Programs and Initiatives
Early-Career Conservation Development
The Conservancy’s programmes are designed as a progression rather than a collection of unrelated awards.
A student may initially receive:
- A $1,500 Student Grant
- Research equipment
- Recognition through the Outstanding Student Award
- A larger Memorial Research Grant later in their career
This model creates a pathway from graduate research to professional conservation leadership.
Scientific Equipment Sharing
NGC encourages equipment to remain within universities and research groups so it can support multiple students and projects.
This approach multiplies the value of each award by:
- Increasing access to scientific tools
- Supporting future research
- Strengthening institutional capacity
- Improving student training
- Encouraging collaboration
- Reducing repeated equipment purchases
North–South Scientific Collaboration
The Conservancy promotes cooperation between North American and Latin American researchers and institutions.
Collaboration may include:
- Scientific review
- Research mentoring
- Equipment sharing
- Professional networking
- Joint conservation initiatives
- Educational exchange
- Methodological support
- Dissemination of research findings
Grassland Research and Conservation
Funded research can cover a broad range of conservation topics, including:
- Grassland bird ecology
- Plant diversity
- Endangered species
- Fire ecology
- Grazing management
- Wetland conservation
- Climate change
- Habitat restoration
- Migratory wildlife
- Invasive species
- Ecosystem services
- Land-use change
- Community-based conservation
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
NGC’s impact is created through relatively small but strategically targeted investments in local scientists and institutions.
Launching Conservation Careers
Student Grants help graduate researchers complete fieldwork, generate data and obtain professional experience. Successful projects can contribute to theses, publications, conservation plans and future employment.
Improving Research Quality
Access to GPS units, microscopes, binoculars, mist nets and cameras allows researchers to collect more accurate and reliable data.
Strengthening Local Institutions
Equipment remains with universities or conservation organisations, allowing it to benefit multiple researchers beyond the original project.
Supporting Applied Conservation
Memorial Grants fund research that can inform habitat management, species protection, environmental policy and restoration.
Expanding Grassland Knowledge
Because grasslands have historically received less attention than forests, NGC-supported studies help fill important scientific information gaps.
Creating Professional Networks
The organisation connects students, established scientists, conservation institutions and external reviewers. These relationships can generate new collaborations and research opportunities.
Promoting Local Leadership
By directing resources to Latin American researchers, NGC supports conservation leadership rooted in local knowledge, institutions and communities.
Application Guidance
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility conditions of the relevant programme before applying.
A competitive proposal should clearly explain:
- The conservation problem
- The proposed research questions
- The study location
- The importance of the grassland ecosystem
- Research methods
- Expected results
- Practical conservation benefits
- Applicant qualifications
- Project timeline
- Use of grant funds or equipment
- Long-term impact
Applicants should explicitly connect the proposed project to Neotropical grassland conservation. A technically strong project may not be selected if its connection to the organisation’s mission is unclear.
Conclusion
The Neotropical Grassland Conservancy is a specialised environmental nonprofit that protects grassland ecosystems by investing in the people who study and conserve them.
Since its establishment in 2001, NGC has developed a practical grant-making model that provides research funding, student support and scientific equipment to Latin American scientists and institutions.
Its Memorial Grants offer awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, while the Student Grant Program provides $1,500 for graduate research expenses. The Research Equipment Program supplies essential tools that can serve multiple projects and researchers over many years.
By combining conservation funding, scientific capacity building and international collaboration, the Neotropical Grassland Conservancy contributes to stronger research, better-informed conservation decisions and a new generation of grassland conservation leaders.
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