BID: Biodiversity Information for Development programme
2025 BID call for proposals: Latin America & the Caribbean
2025 BID call for proposals: Pacific
Disclaimer:
The call text remains the official reference for all information provided. The questions and answers shared here are intended solely as supplementary clarifications based on inquiries received during the live Q&A sessions. For any further questions, please feel free to post them on the forum here or reach out directly to BID@gbif.org .
Clarifications on budget, funding rules, requirements for partners etc.
Q: Does the partner letter need to specify the partner’s contribution to the project?
A: We are providing a specific template (letter of confirmation-partners) available here: https://www.gbif.org/document/2Jz6NMUoRAZcRRLUSeiLg6/letter-of-confirmation-partners. Partners may decide how detailed they want to be in the letter.
Q: Can we add more partner institutions?
A: Yes, you are welcome to do so, but please remember that at the full proposal stage all partners must be confirmed.
Q: Can activities from the concept note phase be consolidated in the full proposal?
A: Yes. You may consolidate or edit information submitted in the concept note phase.
Q: Can co-funding be increased?
A: Yes. You may increase co-funding and briefly explain how it will be allocated to project activities.
Q: Can grant funds be reallocated if a new activity is identified?
A: Yes, at this stage you may reallocate funds to new or more detailed activities. If selected for funding, and after selection and contract signing, reallocation of up to 25% within the budget is allowed. Any changes above 25% require a budget amendment.
Q: Can shipping fees be included in the budget, and covered by BID funds?
A: Unfortunately, shipping fees cannot be included in the budget as they are considered as ineligible cost. Please have a look at the budget instructions:
https://discourse.gbif.org/t/bid-budget-instructions-full-proposal/6019
GBIF Grant funds cannot be used for the following types of expenses:
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Overhead costs not directly tied to project activities
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Bank fees, postal or courier costs
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Exchange rate losses
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Reimbursable taxes (must confirm tax status if invited to submit a full proposal)
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Fieldwork or collection of new field data
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Laboratory research for new data
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Data paper publication fees or other peer-reviewed research charges
Q: Is there a GBID salary scale guidelines for different positions, such as researchers, research assistant etc? We plan to hire research assistants in three different countries. How essential is it to justify the salary amounts we propose? Should the salaries be the same in euros across all three countries, or can they vary?
A: GBIF does not provide general guidelines on salary scales. It is the responsibility of the project lead to discuss and agree on appropriate salary levels with the project partners. We encourage applicants to make as realistic and specific budget breakdown, always use volume and price.
Q: Given that the official currency in Venezuela is the Bolívar, but the US dollar is widely legally used, can we budget expenses in USD?
A: Yes, if the US dollar is the second official currency you can budget the expenses in USD.
Q: What is the email address for queries?
A: You are as always welcome to write directly to the BID Coordination team at bid@gbif.org .