The AEF Bald Eagle Grant Program
In 2022, the American Eagle Foundation Bald Eagle Grants program is in it’s tenth year of funding efforts by scientists, agency personnel, and Non-Profit organizations to further our understanding and conservation of the Bald Eagle. To date, the American Eagle Foundation has awarded 1,000,000 in grants to help insure the continued recovery of the Bald Eagle. Grants were first awarded in 2012, with about $100,000 awarded yearly (no awards were granted for 2013 or 2020).
1. Conservation of Bald Eagle habitat is crucial for the continued survival of the species. Projects in this area would identify important Bald Eagle habitats, identify land ownership, determine alternative pathways to protection, and/or initiate habitat protection and/or enhancement.
2. Meaningful public education and/or scientific studies resulting in benefits for the conservation of bald eagles. Priority projects in this area may include those related to secondary lead poisoning from ingesting lead ammunition, safe siting of infrastructure (particularly wind turbines), or increased public awareness of life history needs through public monitoring programs. Proposals focused on other issues of key importance to eagles are also welcome.
3. Impacts to Bald Eagles related to climate change. Climate change is expected to alter potential food webs and migrations patterns. Projects that look at potential impacts from climate change to Bald Eagles and their habitat may provide important information regarding the eagle’s future.
The American Eagle Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the United States’ living symbol of freedom, the Bald Eagle, and other birds of prey. The American Eagle Foundation is celebrating its 37th year of carrying out its mission through education, conservation, and protection. It is headquartered in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains at Dollywood Family Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, TN.
The American Eagle Foundation accepts applications during July 1 – September 1 for 1-year grants, beginning at the start of the next calendar year. The total grant allocation for 2022 projects is projected to be $50,000-$100,000 with individual grants varying from $5,000 to $20,000.
If you are interested in applying for AEF Bald Eagle Grants, contact grant coordinator Jody Millar at eaglegrants@gmail.com to access required forms.
The 2022 Bald Eagle Grant Program Recipient Interviews
Full interview with Dr. Todd Katzner, Research Wildlife Biologist for US Geological Survey
Full interview with Dr. Trish Miller, Executive Director and Senior Research Wildlife Biologist at Conservation Science Global
Full interview with Vince Slabe, Research Wildlife Biologist at Conservation Science Global
History of AEF Grants
The American Eagle Foundation obtained funding for this grant program in 2004, when both the U.S. Senate and House UNANIMOUSLY passed the ‘Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin Act.’ Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to mint $5 gold, $1 silver and $0.50 clad commemorative coins, which they sold to the public in 2008.
These Coins celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as well as the Bald Eagle’s successful recovery in the U.S.A. The Act authorized surcharges collected from the sale of collectible Bald Eagle Commemorative Coins to be paid to AEF of Tennessee “to further its works,” which includes grants for Bald Eagle Projects.
The U.S. Mint’s 2008 Eagle Coin sales yielded $7.8 million in surcharges. Seventy-five percent of the monies, $5.8 million, were earmarked in the American Eagle Fund, hereafter called the Fund. This Fund supports priority bald eagle projects within the USFWS Regions of the United States. Projects may be conducted by state, federal and private agencies or parties.