DBF GRANTS
The DeFries Bajpai Foundation (DBF) supports scientists, engineers and practitioners who are working towards sustainable solutions to development. A particular focus is the central highlands of India and development pathways that integrate conservation, economic growth, and livelihoods for local people.
DBF SMALL GRANTS ARE NOW OPEN!
The upcoming DBF grants are centred around Millets in Central India.
If you're interested, please be aware that the deadline to express your interest is December 15, 2023. To do so, kindly fill out this form. Following this deadline, the NCCI team will review applications and shortlist grantees. Should your application be shortlisted, you will then have six weeks to submit a proposal.
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This proposal will undergo evaluation by the selection committee established by NCCI. We request that you register only if your work aligns with 'Millets in Central India' and if you possess a valid FCRA certificate.
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A crucial step in preparing your proposal is to carefully review the Report from the Agrobiodiversity Roundtable: Millets in the Kanha Landscape to help you align your proposal with the identified needs.
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In addition to studying Millets in Central India, we will consider proposals from interconnected topics, including:
1. Crop Raiding: Delving into the challenges posed by crop raiding and developing strategies to mitigate its impact.
2. Mycotoxins in Millets: Examining the presence of mycotoxins in Millets and understanding their implications on health and agriculture.
3. Preparing for Elephants entering Central India: Exploring proactive measures to safeguard crops from elephants, emphasizing conflict mitigation strategies.
4. Gender Perspectives in Millet Farming: Investigating the role of gender in the Millet cultivation process.
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For any inquiries or clarifications, feel free to reach out to Mansi Monga, Coordinator, and Grants Administrator at NCCI, via email at conservingcentralindia@gmail.com.
CURRENT GRANTEES
The DBF Grantees with ongoing projects: 2022-2024
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SOUMIK BANERJEE
Project Title – Understanding Status of Fallow Forests in Bewar
Organization – Keystone Foundation
SUBHAG DOLKE
Project Title – Capacitating Community Forest Resources Management Committees for Responsible Forest Governance
Organization – Srujan
SHEKHAR KOLIPAKA
Project Title – Acoustic recordings as a tool for improved communication with small landowners on biodiversity
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Organization - Commonland
SHIVONA BHOJWANI
Project Title – Identifying opportunities and tradeoffs to waterbird conservation in a tropical agricultural mosaic
Organization – University of Minnesota
VIPUL GUPTA
Project Title – Develop a basket of contextually relevant livelihood opportunities that improve communities’ well-being and restore the degraded landscape
Organization – Earthfocus
ABHISHEK SRIVASTAVA
Project Title – An approach to localise fires and optimise distribution of fire detection nodes at the Melghat Tiger Reserve
Organization – Indian Institute of Technology, Indore
AMEEN CHARLES
Project Title – Integration of Conservation and Livelihood around Protected forest area of Kanha Tiger Reserve
Organization – Community Development Centre, Balaghat
PRAJAKTA HUSHANGABADKAR
Project Title – A paradigm shift in connectivity planning: Win-win situation for wildlife and people
Organization – Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Conservation
PREVIOUS GRANTEES
2019 Grantees
Adivasi migration from Baiga Chak, Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh: Motivations and changing environmental consciousness: Venkat Ramanujam Ramani, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Banglore, India.
Planning conservation management for wildlife by analyzing hunting practices and alternative livelihood options for Pardhi tribal community in Central India: Manpreet Singh, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, India.
Investigating the effect of landscape features on functional connectivity among Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) populations in the Melghat landscape: Neelu Soni, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, India.
Use of Machine Learning Techniques for Improved Surveillance of the Melghat Tiger Reserve: Abhishek Srivastava, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, India.
Road-block for wildlife connectivity: Impact of the road network on genetic connectivity and population structure of Sambar (Rusa unicolor) population in the central Indian landscape: Abhinav Tyagi, National Center For Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India
An attempt to convert farmers in and around protected areas to organic farming with the help of support cum reward structure: Milind Watve, Yuva Rural Association (YRA), Pune
2017 Grantees
The ‘who, what, and where’ of reducing human-wildlife conflict: Understanding behavior profiles of problem individuals and the spatio-temporal distribution of risk hotspots: Himanshu Chittanni, National Centrefor Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India
Involving Local Conservation Leaders in Conservation Communication Efforts: Shekhar Kolipaka, Leo Foundation, The Netherlands
Spatial prioritization for carnivore conservation in a Human-dominated landscape: Mahi Puri, Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore and University of Florida, USA
Design and Development of an Automated Surveillance System using Wireless Sensor Networks for the Melghat Tiger Reserve: Abhishek Srivastava, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore
Studying behavioral response of farmers during pilot implementation of community operated compensation model: Milind Watve, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune