Guidance

Darwin Plus: environment funding for the UK overseas territories

Who is eligible for Darwin Plus project and fellowship funding, and how to apply.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Published: 22 May 2014
• Last updated: 3 November 2022
  Show all updates

  1. 3 November 2022

     The fund administrators are now called NIRAS. Updated email addresses and postal address in 'Contact Darwin Plus'.

  2. 24 August 2021

     Updated all guidance information for round 10 applications, including a link to the Darwin Plus website that contains detailed information about how to apply.

  3. 31 July 2020

     Added guidance and documents for Round 9 applications.

  4. 3 July 2019

     Updated the How projects/fellowships are selected section.

  5. 22 May 2019

     Updated forms for round 8 as applications are now open.

  6. 8 February 2019

     Updated the chair of the Darwin Plus advisory group.

  7. 28 September 2018

     Added a link to the Penguins in the Southern Ocean case study.

  8. 10 July 2018

     Added the documents for Round 7 applications.

  9. 22 May 2018

     Updated to reflect that Darwin Plus is not currently open for applications.

  10. 1 August 2017

      Darwin Plus Fellowship application form updated.

  11. 28 July 2017

      Published the Darwin Plus Flexi-Grant User Guide.

  12. 27 July 2017

      Added information on how to apply for Darwin Plus environment funding for the UK Overseas Territories round 6.

  13. 6 July 2016

      Alerting the public that Round 5 of Darwin Plus is now open and inviting applications for Darwin Plus projects and Darwin Plus Fellowships.

  14. 21 April 2016

      Page updated to confirm that Darwin Plus Round 4 is now closed and Round 5 will be launched in Summer 2016

  15. 24 September 2015

      Confirming the closing date for this year's Darwin Plus applications and adding the list of Darwin Plus Advisory Group members.

  16. 7 August 2015

      The application period is now open for Round 4 of the Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund (also known as Darwin Plus).

  17. 24 June 2015

      The 2015 application window for Darwin Plus is not yet open. Previous applicants and interested parties will be alerted by e-mail. Please contact Darwin-applications@LTSI.co.uk to be added to the Darwin mailing list.

  18. 6 August 2014

      Please note that the 2014 application period for Darwin Plus projects is NOW CLOSED (from 4 August 2014).

  19. 6 June 2014

      updated guidance notes

  20. 22 May 2014

      First published.

Darwin Plus, also known as the Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund, provides funding for:

• environmental projects in UK overseas territories
• fellowships for nationals of UK overseas territories to gain technical and scientific expertise and broaden their knowledge and experience of environmental projects

The 14 UK overseas territories are:

• Anguilla
• Bermuda
• British Antarctic Territory
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• The British Virgin Islands
• The Cayman Islands
• The Falkland Islands
• Gibraltar
• Montserrat
• The Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie & Oeno Islands
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Sovereign Base Areas, Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Cyprus)
• The Turks and Caicos Islands

Who can apply for Darwin Plus projects

Darwin Plus funding is available for environmental projects in UK overseas territories. For example, projects run by:

• overseas territory governments
• non-governmental organisations
• research institutions
• private sector organisations

All UK overseas territories can apply, whether they are eligible to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA) or not.

Who can apply for Darwin Plus Fellowships

Darwin Plus Fellowships offer training opportunities for nationals of UK overseas territories. For territories without a permanent resident population, this training is for people who:

• are committed to providing support to their chosen territory
• can demonstrate an existing relationship with that territory

How to apply

Find out how to apply for Darwin Plus projects and fellowships on the Darwin Plus website.

Contact Darwin Plus

For questions about Darwin Plus policy, contact the Darwin Secretariat at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Email: DarwinPlus@defra.gov.uk

For queries about Darwin Plus project applications, contact the applications team. Email: BCF-DPlus@niras.com

For help with using the Flexi-Grant application portal, contact the Flexi-Grant support team. Email: BCF-Flexigrant@niras.com

For queries relating to new and existing projects, contact the fund administrators:

• General queries: BCF-DPlus@niras.com
• Finance queries: BCF-Finance@niras.com
• Reporting queries: BCF-Reports@niras.com
• Communications queries: BCF-Comms@niras.com

Biodiversity Challenge Funds
NIRAS
Pentlands Science Park
Bush Loan
Penicuik
EH26 0PL