How to Apply

Local Applications

Introduction

Darwin Plus Local funds projects that protect the unique biodiversity and improve resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs).

Darwin Plus Local supports small scale environmental projects exclusively in the UKOTs, with the aim of improving outcomes for biodiversity, building capacity in-territory and contributing to local economies.

Applications to Round 8 of Darwin Plus Local are now open.

The applications for Round 8 opened on Monday 5^th October 2026.

Applications to Darwin Plus Local are a single stage process.

Deadline for applications: Monday 23^rd November 2026.

This round of Darwin Plus Local provides grants of up to £50,000 for organisations, and £20,000 for individuals.

Darwin Plus Local Round 8:

Maximum 12-month implementation period.
The expected start date for successful projects is from 1^st April 2027.
All projects must be completed by 31^st March 2028.

Please note the following:

This round of Darwin Plus Local will be available for:

Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects that implement tried and tested methods and environmental solutions to contribute towards biodiversity and conservation.
Non-ODA research and development, capital expenditure projects, or projects that implement tried and tested methods and environmental solutions to contribute towards biodiversity and conservation.

Following the Multiyear Spending Review, the UK Government has committed to make more than £9 million per year available for Darwin Plus until March 2029. Funding beyond March 2029 for Darwin Plus will be requested via the next Spending Review. Therefore, funding for projects that go beyond this date is not guaranteed. Applicants must note and accept this risk before sending their proposals to Defra and manage any commitments associated with the proposal, accordingly.

Applications for projects in the British Indian Ocean Territory remain welcome, will be processed as normal, and successful applications honoured.

Darwin Plus Local Round 8 pre-application webinar

We are hosting a webinar for prospective applicants to provide an overview of the Darwin Plus Local scheme, the application process, and an opportunity to ask questions.

Webinar registration details:

Date: Thursday 22^nd October 2026

Time: 3 – 4:30pm (UK time / GMT+1)

Please read the Darwin Plus Local application guidance before attending. The guidance is available on the Apply page of the website.

A recording of the webinar and a copy of the presentation slides will be added to the Workshops and Webinars page under Resources on our website.

Guidance

Before applying you should first read:

Darwin Plus Local Guidance for Applicants (with particular focus on the eligibility criteria)
Terms and Conditions for the fund (we have also prepared a summary document of key Terms and Conditions for Darwin Plus Local projects)
Darwin Plus Local Finance Guidance
Flexi-Grant Guidance

How to Apply

Once you have read the guidance, complete the Darwin Plus Local application form on the Flexi-Grant application portal. We recommend reviewing each page of the application form to familiarise yourself with the questions before starting. For drafting purposes, you may find the Word version of the application form below useful.

Please note, in addition to the application form, you will need to complete and submit the Darwin Plus Local Workplan using the template provided, as well as the supporting documents required in the Round 8 Guidance, including a cover letter and, where applicable, a letter of support from the relevant UKOT Government.

D+ Local Workplan template (Implementation table)