NANFA Conservation Research Grant
NANFA Conservation Research Grant supports academic, conservation, and independent researchers studying North America's native fishes to inform conservation and recovery, especially for imperiled species.
Funder: North American Native Fishes Association
Due Dates: January 20, 2027 (Applications) | March 31, 2027 (Decisions announced by)
Funding Amounts: Up to $2,000 per proposal under the application guidelines; multiple awards possible
Summary: Supports research advancing conservation of North America's native fishes, especially threatened, endangered, and other imperiled species.
Key Information: Applicants must be NANFA members in good standing.
Description
The North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) has funded the Conservation Research Grant since 2001. The program supports research relating to the conservation of North America's indigenous fish fauna, particularly threatened or endangered species. It is open to researchers in academia, conservation groups, and independent researchers, including home aquarists, whose work contributes to the sustainable existence of native fishes.
Supported research has examined reproductive behavior and hybridization, population genetics, habitat use following dam removal, invasive species impacts and removal, water quality, food web recovery, and environmental DNA detection of rare fishes. These studies help clarify native fishes' biology, habitat needs, conservation status, and threats, informing conservation planning and species recovery. Recipients are asked to share their results with NANFA's readership through a non-technical article in American Currents.
