Evidence Applications

Introduction

IWT Challenge Fund Evidence grants, ranging from £20,000 to £150,000, are intended for projects which gather evidence to design an intervention which addresses environmental crime (inclusive of IWT). Applications should clearly explain the environmental crime problem they are seeking to address and describe how the improved evidence base will be used to design an intervention where there is a gap in approaches. Applicants are encouraged to consider how evidence generated through their project could inform the future design, testing or scaling of interventions aimed at tackling environmental crime. We particularly welcome proposals that generate evidence on environmental crime challenges that have been less represented within previous rounds of the IWT Challenge Fund. Projects may include, for example, market research to design and baseline demand reduction interventions. Applicants are encouraged to develop evidence projects into full interventions as part of follow-on applications to the IWT Challenge Fund. Projects should last up to 2 years maximum.

Applications to Round 12 of IWT Challenge Fund Evidence are now open.

Applications for Round 12 opened on 30th September 2026.

Applications to IWT Challenge Fund Evidence are a single stage process.

• Deadline for applications: Monday 15th February 2027
• Results are expected by the end of June 2027 at the earliest

The expected start date for successful projects is from 1^st September 2027.

Please note: Funding for IWT Challenge Fund projects beyond March 2029 is not currently confirmed and will be subject to the outcome of the next UK Government Spending Review, which will set departmental budgets for future years. Applicants should submit proposals for projects that extend beyond this date but should take this into account when planning project activities, budgets, and commitments. Further information will be provided when available. 

Guidance

Before applying, you should first read the documents found under How to Apply.

To ensure UK funding remains responsive to this evolving landscape, Round 12 will trial a revised approach within the Evidence scheme, which will explicitly support evidence generation on a broader range of environmental crimes. IWT Challenge Fund Main and Extra scheme projects will retain a primary focus on IWT in Round 12.

IWT and environmental crime definitions

• Illegal Wildlife Trade: The IWT Challenge Fund defines IWT as all unlawful activities associated with the commercial exploitation and trade of wildlife, including live organisms, their parts or derivatives. This includes all wild fauna, flora, and fungi and so covers illegal trade in timber and fisheries products within this definition.
• Environmental crime: includes illegal activities that harm nature and the sustainable use of natural resources, including IWT, illegal logging, fisheries crime, illegal mining, and waste crime.

Application Process

Once you have read the guidance, complete the IWTCF Evidence Round 12 – Single Stage application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal. For drafting purposes, you may find the Word version of the IWTCF Evidence Single Stage application form below useful.

IWTCF Evidence Round 12 – Single Stage application form - Word template

The budget spreadsheet for IWT Challenge Fund Evidence projects can be found below:

Biodiversity Challenge Funds budget forms (grants under £100,000)

Additional materials that you will be required to complete as part of your application can be found below or downloaded from within Flexi-Grant. Please note there are different requirements for Stage 1 and Stage 2 – read the guidance for more information.

Biodiversity Challenge Funds Workplan Template

For further queries, see our Frequently Asked Questions.