Fiscal 2025 Application Guidelines

To contribute to environmental conservation with grants to bird conservation groups for conservation activities.

Corporations or voluntary organizations whose main purpose is doing work related to the protection and propagation of wild animals and plants for the conservation of natural environments. The activities of groups funded with these grants are expected to be at a level for which the relevant bird protection division of each prefecture or a Ministry of the Environment regional office will provide the Fund with a letter of recommendation.

In order to widen its scope of support, in 2025 as well the Suntory Fund for Bird Conservation (“Fund” below) will accept grant applications from overseas bird conservation groups under the “Global Application Scheme” on the condition that application is made through a proxy conservation group in Japan.

（1）

In principle, use of the grant is limited to expenses directly required for the applicable bird conservation activities. The grant cannot be used for the grantee’s ordinary operating expenses such as personnel expenses and rent.

（2）

For overseas groups applying through the Global Application Scheme, a certain amount may be allowed for payment of administrative expenses of the domestic proxy conservation organization (costs associated with the translation of application content, the activity report explaining the state of activities, etc. and, as necessary, the cost of travel, accommodation, etc.), subject to discussion and approval by the Fund Steering Committee. However, the amount of administrative expenses can be only up to a maximum of 40 percent of the grant.

Out of a 20 million yen (planned) grant fund, around 10 grants will be awarded.

（1）

For domestic applications, submit an application package to the Fund’s trustee consisting of the following items (one of each).
① The application form designated by the Fund. (Note: The application form differs between applications based on the global recruitment scheme and other applications.)

② Materials that give an overview of the applying organization, including the articles of incorporation, regulations and rules of management.

③ A business report and income statement for each of the last two terms. If applying as a group, provide these items for each group member.

④ The current year’s business plan and income and expenditure budget. If applying jointly as a group, provide these items for each group member.

⑤ Income and expenditure plan for the grant.

⑥ Progress report on grant activities (only for fiscal 2024 grant recipients who wish to continue their grant).

（2）

For international applications under the Global Application Scheme, submit the designated application form stated in (1) 1) above, plus (optional) a business report, an income and expenditure budget and other supporting documents, if available.
* All submitted documents should be in Japanese using A4 size paper.

*Download the application form from the Fund website, http://www.koueki-suntory-aityou.jp/

*Please use the dedicated application form to create an application based on the global recruitment scheme.

*Submitted documents and materials will not be returned.

 

（1）

Priority will be given to planned grant activities of higher importance and urgency.

（2）

The ability of the applicant organization to implement the planned activities will be taken into account.

（3）

Past achievements of the applicant organization will also be referenced.

（4）

The period for use of the grant will be one year in principle. However, depending on the nature of the activities, a grant period of more than one year may be allowed.
* In principle, the period of use is April 2025–March 2026.

（5）

For outstanding activities, the Fund may continue to provide grants to an organization for a maximum of three years in principle. To continue receiving a grant, it is necessary to apply each year during the application period.

Sunday , September 1 Monday , September 30 , 2024
In the case of mail, the postmark is valid on the day.
If you apply by e-mail, we will accept up to the number of incoming e-mails on the day.

The Fund Steering Committee will make a decision. The results will be sent to the applicant organization by the representative trustee in writing by the end of January 2025.

<< grant has been approved >>

（1）

We will ask you to submit materials for the presentation ceremony, the creation of the fund pamphlet, and the fund website. We ask for your cooperation in submitting materials by the deadline

（2）

Indication of achievements of activities funded by the Foundation

①

For activities that have been subsidized by the Foundation, clearly indicate (*) that they have been subsidized as much as possible for the deliverables, and if specified, provide proof of this in the activity report described below. (Photos, etc.) should be submitted to the representative trustee.
This does not apply to the purchase of equipment and consumables.
(*) Example: When writing the bird name on the purchased gauge, etc., also write the indication of "Suntory Fund for Bird Conservation Activities Grant ". When holding a conference or symposium, mention it in the event guide, program, lecture abstract, etc.

②

When announcing or publishing activities based on this grant,
Please indicate that you are receiving a subsidy from this fund (for example, indicate " Suntory Fund for Bird Conservation Activities Grant ").

（3）

In addition, we ask for your understanding in advance that the details of the activities you report may be made public on the Foundation's pamphlets, the Suntory Group website, and the Foundation's website, in addition to the Steering Committee.

（1）

A presentation ceremony and debriefing session will be held on April 14th or 21st, 2025.
If your grant is approved, we ask that you attend the meeting.
You will be asked to give a five minute report on the activities eligible for the subsidy.

（2）

The grant will be transferred to the bank account of the grant organization after the presentation ceremony.
In addition, if it becomes impossible to implement the grant activity or if there is an unauthorized use of the grant, we will ask you to return the grant. be returned).

（3）

Depending on the social situation, the presentation ceremony and debriefing session may be canceled and the timing of subsidy distribution may be changed. In that case, we will contact the sponsor separately.

（1）

As soon as the activities to be subsidized are completed, the subsidized organization will submit the activity report and financial report (receipt (copy) attached) to the representative trustee. In the case of an overseas activity organization that rec eived a grant under the global recruitment scheme, please submit in Japanese through a domestic proxy application organization.
A specific format is not required, but the report should be A4 size.

（2）

Submitted activity reports may be disclosed to the gen eral public as well as to the Steering Committee.

For past activities, please refer to the Fund website, http://www.koueki-suntory-aityou.jp/(in Japanese)

Application by mail

Application Portal for the Suntory Fund for Bird Conservation

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (Representative Trustee)

Public Interest Trust Group, Personal Asset Trust Business Department

3-33-1 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8574

Application by e-mail

e-mail : kouekidenshi@smtb.jp

Subject: [Suntory Fund for Bird Conservation / Organization Name] (Required notation)

Contact

Tel: +81-3-5232-8910 (Weekdays. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. JST)

Fax: +81-3-5232-8919

In light of the fact that what happens to birds today may become a problem for humans tomorrow—which is also the reason we created the fund—we established this category to revitalize ecosystems where water, people, and birds coexist in harmony. As a symbol of this goal, we award grants to preserve and improve the habitats of large birds such as the stork, crested ibis, and crane, well-known bird species that are rarely seen nowadays. We provide grants in the hope that they will pave the way for subsequent ongoing efforts.

（1）

This category is aimed at organizations that protect storks, crested ibis, cranes, and other birds, as well as maintain the rice paddies, marshlands, and other habitats where they reside. However, organizations that have established or are able to establish a solid base in their area of activity in collaboration with local governments, other bird protection organizations, or other organizations are eligible.

（2）

If the main activities are carried out by a local body, the application should in principle be made after establishing a council, etc., with other private activity groups.

This category provides grants for the conservation of birds such as storks, crested ibises, and cranes, as well as for the development and establishment of their habitats. The grants are not meant to be used for equipment required for daily activities, but rather for improvements to the environment, large-scale facilities, and so on.

（1）

Grant Amounts
Approximately 10 million yen will be granted per project.

（2）

Grant Period
1) In principle, the grant usage period is to be one year (from April until March of the following year).

2) Because the purpose of this category is to protect birds such as storks, crested ibises, and cranes and to develop and establish their habitats, it is acceptable to apply consecutively over a certain period. However, grant applications occur on a yearly basis, so if you wish to receive multiple grants in succession, you will have to apply each year and have your application reviewed. There is no guarantee that you will receive continuous funding for multiple years.

This program aims to contribute to the conservation of the global environment by providing grants for community-based bird conservation activities.

This category is open to elementary, junior high, and high school clubs and committees, children’s environment clubs, and community groups including neighborhood associations and volunteer groups that engage in bird conservation and observation activities. (Note that applications by schools are not accepted.)
The following kinds of groups are encouraged to apply.

（1）

Groups that have engaged in bird-related activities in the past and are expected to continue such activities in the future

（2）

Groups whose activities are based in a community, school, etc.

（3）

Groups that have an educational component aimed at students and children

* Note that grants are not awarded two years in a row.

The grants are to be used to cover expenses associated with the bird conservation/observation activities for which the grant is intended.
(In principle, grants from this fund are for one year even if the activities span multiple years.
The target activity period is in principle from April 2025 until March 2026).

This year, a total of 2 million yen (tentative) will be awarded.