INPS supports well-conceived grant projects that are in line with our mission: To promote the appreciation, preservation, scientific study, and use of plants native to Indiana. To teach people about their beauty, diversity, and importance to our environment.

INPS Biodiversity Grants are awarded in three categories:

  • Research
  • Demonstration Garden
  • Land Management and Conservation

Specifications

Awards range from $400 to $1,500. Additional funding may be considered on larger projects. Please note that moneys are paid out at the end of the project upon completion of a final report.

All proposals must be submitted using the online INPS Biodiversity Grant Application form with a clear statement of how the award would further the mission of INPS. The form is available starting September 1, 2024, and will close October 1, 2024.

Grant funds are available only for sites that are open to the public and may not be used for transportation, labor, lodging, or refreshment costs. Plantings at private residences are not eligible.

Grant applications for expenses related to school trips (bus driver, gas, naturalist) to natural sites (preserves, environmental centers) that will give youth a meaningful exposure to native plants, habitats, and the chain of life should be submitted to Letha’s Youth Outdoors Fund and not to this grant program.

Successful awardees must recognize INPS as a funding source in all printed materials, signs, or publicity generated through the project.

Grant Application Procedure

Applicants must submit their proposal online using the INPS Biodiversity Grant Application form. The following content is requested, and you may find it helpful to draft your answers using our downloadable Template prior to filling out the online application.

Overview: name of project; amount requested; location; new or existing project; prior INPS funding; category that best describes the project—Research, Demonstration Garden, or Land Management and Conservation; brief project description; expected start and end dates.

Contacts: principal project contact; specific person/organization to whom award checks should be sent; check payable to whom.

Proposal: clear, concise description of the project, including: How does the project further the INPS mission? Why is the project needed? Specific objectives to be achieved. How INPS grant funds would be used. Who benefits from the project—number who benefit and how. Other organizations supporting project, and how they are involved. Financial resources committed to the project from other sources, if any. Detailed budget sheet.

Vegetation: For any project establishing native vegetation or controlling invasive vegetation, specific steps to be used to achieve the objectives and maintenance plan. Detailed species list, if applicable, of all plants and seeds to be used. Note that INPS will not fund projects that use species not native to Indiana.

Grant Ratings Criteria

Every grant application must meet the INPS mission. In addition, the following criteria will be used to judge applications in specific categories:

Research Category  

Projects that focus either on a native plant (propagation/habitat needs/life cycle/restoration), or on the control of an invasive plant that threatens native plants.  

  • Will the research benefit rare plant species? (yes=more points)
  • How well are they working with partners on this project (e.g., do they have funding coming from other sources, are they working with a state or federal agency or land trust)?
  • Can the project be executed within the timeline proposed?
  • Is there a clear hypothesis? Or is the project more exploratory?
  • Is there an outreach component (i.e., plans to present at a conference, publish findings, etc.)?
  • How well written and thoughtful is the application? Is the purpose clear?

Demonstration Garden Category

Projects that showcase the use of native plants in landscaping at any public site.

  • Is the preparation of the planting site clearly described (e.g., removal of invasives, preparation of soil)?
  • Are the native plants the right species for the project as described (e.g., actually native to Indiana, and fit the site conditions)?
  • Have they thought through and provided for long-term maintenance?
  • Will many people see/benefit from this garden?
  • How well written and thoughtful is the application? Is the purpose clear?

Land Management and Conservation Category 

Projects that ecologically manage and/or restore natural areas (for instance, removing invasive plants from forests, planting prairie in the part of the state where prairie is native) or protect natural areas through acquisition.

  • How great is the ecological benefit? (e.g., is the site involved a high quality natural area rather than a low quality, disturbed site).
  • If vegetation removal is involved, is the method clearly described and appropriate (e.g., cut and paint woody invasives, etc.)?
  • If planting is involved, is the preparation of the planting site clearly described (e.g., removal of invasives)?
  • If planting is involved, are the native plants the right species for the project as described (e.g., actually native and fit the site conditions)?
  • Have they thought through and provided for long-term maintenance of the project?
  • How well are they working with partners on this project (e.g., do they have funding coming from other sources, are volunteer organizations helping with the labor?).
  • How feasible is the project—do they appear to have the contacts, resources and skills to be successful? Is the project appropriately sized for the group?
  • Will many people see/benefit from this land management and restoration?
  • How well written and thoughtful is the application? Is the purpose clear?