The DeFries Bajpai Foundation (DBF) Grants are small grants administered by NCCI that support scientists, engineers, and practitioners working towards sustainable solutions to development, with a particular focus on the Central Indian Highlands.
 

The grants support research and action that considers the connections between conservation, economic growth, and local livelihoods. The programme encourages bottom-up approaches and supports the generation and use of knowledge within the landscape.
 

DBF-supported projects have addressed a range of issues in Central India, including wildlife and landscape connectivity, human–wildlife interactions, livelihoods, agrodiversity, community forest governance, and conservation in human-dominated landscapes.
 

Through the grant programme and NCCI’s wider network, grantees have opportunities to share their work, exchange knowledge, and connect with others working on related conservation and development questions.