Kunming Biodiversity Fund 2026 Call for Proposals: Up to US$800,000 for Biodiversity Projects
The Kunming Biodiversity Fund 2026 Call for Proposals invites ambitious biodiversity projects to protect ecosystems, integrate biodiversity into public policy, and mobilize resources. Single-country projects can request up to US$500,000, while multi-country regional projects can receive up to US$800,000.
Overview
The Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) 2026 Call for Proposals provides international funding to help developing countries accelerate the implementation of national biodiversity priorities and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The fund supports projects lasting between 12 and 24 months.
Funding is divided into two categories:
- Single-Country Projects: Country-level or subnational projects may request up to US$500,000.
- Multi-Country Projects: Regional projects involving multiple countries can receive up to US$800,000, provided they demonstrate genuine cross-border value.
Every proposed initiative must contribute to at least one of four priority thematic areas: restoring and protecting ecosystems, mainstreaming biodiversity into public policy, strengthening resource mobilization, or sharing benefits from genetic resources and digital sequence information.
Eligibility
Eligible proposals must be jointly developed by the beneficiary country and a participating United Nations organization. KBF resources are transferred directly only to UN agencies, which act as the channel for approved funds. National and local governments, civil society organizations, community groups, academic institutions, and private-sector entities may participate as implementing partners or sub-partners.
Key eligibility criteria include:
- Proposals must directly support the beneficiary country's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
- Every proposal must include a mandatory government endorsement letter signed by the country's national focal point for the Convention on Biological Diversity or a designated official in the lead government ministry. Multi-country projects require a separate endorsement letter from every participating country.
- Project duration must be between 12 and 24 months.
- Participating UN organization support costs must not exceed 7%.
How to Apply
Applicants must use the official KBF project proposal and budget templates. Submissions must be sent via email directly to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund Secretariat at [email protected].
A complete application package must include:
- The completed project proposal template
- The completed project budget template
- A detailed implementation workplan
- Required government endorsement letter(s)
- Any required safeguard or risk-management documents
- Relevant optional annexes and institutional signatures
Deadline
The call uses two submission deadlines, with all materials due no later than 23:59 on the relevant closing date:
- Stage 1 Deadline: 15 September 2026 (proposals receive priority review).
- Stage 2 Deadline: 15 November 2026.