The median amount raised for successful proposals is between US $4000 and $5000.

Bonus Prizes

In addition to the amount raised from the crowdfunding, the WDA will provide SIX incentive prizes for projects with the most donors. This is open to members and non-members of the WDA but WDA members will receive a bigger bonus.

Day 21 - Two bonus awards
1st place: $1500 for projects where primary investigator is a WDA member, $1000 for a non-member. 
2nd place:  $1000 for projects where primary investigator is a WDA member, $500 for non-member.
(NB: To qualify the primary investigator must be a WDA member by the 20th day of the campaign)

Day 30 (Final Day) - Four bonus awards
An additional four prizes will be awarded to the top 4 proposals (excluding the 2 winning proposals from the 21st) with the greatest number of supporters and whose primary investigator is a WDA member:

Third to Sixth Place
$300 for projects where the primary investigator is a WDA member.
(NB: To qualify the primary investigator must be a WDA member by the 20th day of the campaign)

Key Dates

Monday January 6 to Friday January 31 – Grant preparation and submission
Friday January 31 – Submission deadline
Tuesday February 12 to Sunday March 9 – Campaign coaching and strategy development period with Experiment staff
Monday March 10 – Launch day, Crowdfunding campaign kick-off
Monday March 31 – Day 21 of the crowdfunding campaign, bonus funds awarded by WDA
Wednesday April 10 – Crowdfunding campaigns end and 30 day awards and bonus funds awarded by WDA

How to Apply

1. Use the experiment template to prepare your grant and submit it by the January 31 deadline.  Find examples of past grants here.

2. Experiment coaches you through the process of getting your grants ready. The WDA and experiment team will review each proposal for eligibility and clarity.  During this period, you can edit your submission based on feedback before it goes live on experiment’s website.

3. The Challenge Grant campaign goes live on March 10, 2025 and then it's up to you to find as many supporters as possible by promoting and publicising your project. The aim is to raise as much money as you can so share, share and share again. But you won't be alone ... the team from experiment and the WDA will provide on-going coaching, promotion and tips for a successful campaign. Supporters can be anyone, family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and donations can be as low as $1!

4. The campaign ends on April 10, 2025.  Projects who have met or exceeded their proposed budgets will receive their money and there are also bonus incentive awards, so read on to find out more about those.

Eligibility

To be eligible proposals must meet the following criteria:

• Involve a significant health issue in free-ranging aquatic or terrestrial wildlife.

• Have implications for wildlife populations or ecosystems in which wildlife live.

• Emphasize species conservation or application of a One Health approach.

Watch the video by successful crowdfunder Lauren for get tips on how to run a successful campaign.