Kunming Biodiversity Fund Call for Proposals 2026

Kunming Biodiversity Fund Call for Proposals 2026 - Funding

Facts checked: against the official notice at unep.org on 10 November 2026.

Quick Summary

The Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) Call for Proposals 2026 invites United Nations organizations jointly developing biodiversity projects with developing country Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to seek project funding. Proposals for priority review under Stage 1 are due by 15 September 2026 for launch at COP 17, while Stage 2 proposals close on 15 November 2026, as per the official notification.

The Funding Ceiling is no more than $500,000 for a single-country project and not more than $800,000 for a multi-country project. Details, guidelines and templates are given in the official announcement.

KBF Call for Proposals 2026: What the Opportunity Covers

This call funds country-level or sub-national implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

As per the official notification, each proposal must be tailored to national circumstances and NBSAP priorities, and must contribute to at least one of the following areas:

• restoring and protecting ecosystems
• mainstreaming biodiversity
• strengthening resource mobilization
• sharing benefits from genetic resources and digital sequence information

Proposals that are regional in concept still need to show how actions will be delivered in-country and linked to the named NBSAP priorities, rather than as a generic workshop or study.

KBF Call for Proposals 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Only UN organizations submitting jointly with an eligible country can apply, so individual students, researchers and non-governmental organizations in India or elsewhere cannot apply directly.

• Open to UN organizations together with relevant partners specified in the guidelines
• Projects must contribute to at least one thematic area: restoring and protecting ecosystems, mainstreaming biodiversity, strengthening resource mobilization, sharing benefits from genetic resources and digital sequence information
• Projects should focus on country-level or sub-national implementation of the KMGBF and NBSAPs, tailored to national circumstances and NBSAP priorities
• Budget within limits (single-country no more than $500,000; multi-country not exceed $800,000) and duration 12-24 months with clear budget breakdown
• Project must be co-developed between the country and a UN Participating Organization of the country's choice; KBF will only directly fund UN agencies, non-UN organizations may be sub-partners; programme support costs no more than 7%
• All proposals must include endorsement letter(s) signed by CBD national focal point or Designated Official in Lead Ministry (each country for multi-country projects); proposals not meeting requirements will not be evaluated
• Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, women and youth highly encouraged

As per the official notification, the project must be co-developed between the country and a UN Participating Organization of that country's choice, together with relevant partners specified in the guidelines. The KBF will only directly fund UN agencies; a non-UN organization may join only as a sub-partner through the UN agency.

Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, women and youth is highly encouraged. Budget, duration and formal endorsement conditions also determine eligibility and are explained under Benefits and Documents Required.

KBF Call for Proposals 2026 Key Dates and Deadlines

Proposals must reach the KBF Secretariat by email at kbf@un.org by 23:59 on the respective deadline; late or incomplete packages will not be evaluated.

Stage 1 proposals submitted by 15 September 2026 will receive priority review, with approvals announced at COP 17. Stage 2 proposals are due by 15 November 2026, with results anticipated by 31 December 2026. Nominated focal points are notified by email.

KBF Call for Proposals 2026 Benefits, Fees or Stipend

Selected projects receive grant funding within fixed ceilings and a fixed implementation window.

As per the official notification, a single-country project may request no more than $500,000, while a multi-country project may not exceed $800,000. Duration must be 12-24 months with a clear budget breakdown, and programme support costs may be no more than 7%.

KBF Call for Proposals 2026 Documents Required

A complete package has three components, and proposals missing any requirement will not be evaluated.

• Project Proposal in full proposal template (Annex 2)
• Budget breakdown in template (Annex 3)
• Endorsement letter(s) signed by CBD national focal point or Designated Official in Lead Ministry
• Project proposal in the full proposal template (Annex 2)
• Budget breakdown in the budget template (Annex 3)
• Endorsement letter(s) signed by the CBD national focal point or Designated Official in the Lead Ministry — for multi-country projects, each participating country must provide its own signed letter

Only the specified signatory counts; a general support letter from another official will not meet the requirement, as per the official notification.

How to Apply for KBF Call for Proposals 2026

Applications go by email to the KBF Secretariat after the country and its chosen UN agency have jointly prepared the package.

1. Visit the official website and read the call guidelines for partner and endorsement rules.
2. Confirm the country partner and the UN Participating Organization of the country's choice that will receive KBF funds directly.
3. Jointly draft the intervention around KMGBF and NBSAP priorities and one or more of the four thematic areas.
4. Complete the Project Proposal in the Annex 2 template without changing its structure.
5. Complete the Budget breakdown in the Annex 3 template, keeping within the ceiling, duration and support-cost limits.
6. Obtain the signed endorsement letter(s) from the CBD national focal point or Designated Official in the Lead Ministry.
7. Email the full set of attachments to kbf@un.org before the cutoff time noted under Key Dates and retain the sent-mail record.

KBF Call for Proposals 2026 Selection Process

Proposals pass through independent technical assessment and then a final decision by the Executive Council.

1. Submission to KBF Secretariat by email by 23:59 on respective deadline
2. Assessment by KBF Independent Technical Advisory Group for strength, feasibility, sustainability and alignment; applicants may be invited to present and answer follow-up questions
3. Shortlist for Executive Council final decision: approval, approval with recommendations, or rejection; 14 days to show incorporation of recommendations if conditionally approved
4. Nominated focal points notified by email; Stage 1 approvals announced at COP 17, Stage 2 results anticipated by Dec 31, 2026

As per the official notification, the KBF Independent Technical Advisory Group assesses strength, feasibility, sustainability and alignment, and applicants may be invited to present the proposal and answer follow-up questions. The shortlist then goes to the Executive Council for approval, approval with recommendations, or rejection.

If conditionally approved, the team has 14 days to show how the recommendations have been incorporated. Announcement timings are listed under Key Dates and Deadlines.

KBF Call for Proposals 2026 Important Links

All action on this call happens through the official notice and email submission.

Use the Official Notice to obtain the authentic guidelines, Annex 2, Annex 3 and endorsement instructions, since requirements differ by Stage. Send the complete email package to kbf@un.org by the respective deadline. Refer to the official notification for any update before sending the email package.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for the Kunming Biodiversity Fund Call for Proposals 2026?

The last date to apply is 15 November 2026. Proposals must reach the KBF Secretariat by email by 23:59 on the deadline.

Who can apply for the Kunming Biodiversity Fund 2026 Call for Proposals?

The call is open to UN organizations working with developing country Parties to the CBD together with relevant partners specified in the guidelines. Each project must be co-developed between the country and a UN Participating Organization of its choice, since KBF will only directly fund UN agencies.

What is the funding amount available under the Kunming Biodiversity Fund Call for Proposals 2026?

Each single-country project can receive no more than $500,000, while multi-country projects must not exceed $800,000. Projects should run for 12-24 months with a clear budget breakdown and programme support costs of no more than 7%.

How to apply for the Kunming Biodiversity Fund Call for Proposals 2026?

Applications must be sent by email to the KBF Secretariat at kbf@un.org before the deadline. Proposals should focus on country-level or sub-national implementation of the KMGBF and NBSAPs tailored to national circumstances and NBSAP priorities.

What is the selection process for the Kunming Biodiversity Fund 2026 Call for Proposals?

Proposals are assessed by the KBF Independent Technical Advisory Group for strength, feasibility, sustainability and alignment, and applicants may be invited to present and answer follow-up questions. A shortlist goes to the Executive Council for approval, conditional approval or rejection, with Stage 1 approvals announced at COP 17.

What documents are required for the Kunming Biodiversity Fund Call for Proposals 2026?

You need the project proposal in the full proposal template (Annex 2), the budget breakdown in the template (Annex 3) and endorsement letter(s) signed by the CBD national focal point or Designated Official in the Lead Ministry.