GNN Awards Its First Small Grant
The Global Nightjar Network (GNN) steering committee, together with the Kshitij Foundation, is pleased to announce the results of the first Manish Mehta Microgrant for Nocturnal Avian Ecology Research and Awareness. We received 15 applications and had a difficult time choosing among them. This is an exciting sign of how many dedicated researchers and educators are bringing attention to nocturnal birds, specifically nightjars.
The Winning Proposal
Congratulations to Himanshu Boricha, a Junior Research Fellow with the Gujarat Biodiversity Board in Gandhinagar, India, whose proposal was selected:
Development of a Citizen Science-Based National Database and Research Network for Nightjars (Caprimulgidae) with a Gujarat Case Study
In Himanshu’s own words:
"This project aims to develop a citizen science, research-ready national database and collaborative network for nightjars in India, addressing a major gap in nocturnal avian research."
Nightjar records in India are currently scattered across platforms like eBird, iNaturalist, and GBIF, which limits their usefulness for ecological research and conservation planning. Himanshu's project will compile, standardize, and validate these records into a single national reference database, and create GIS-based distribution maps to form a clearer picture of nightjar research gaps in India. Nocturnal field surveys in Gujarat will act as a pilot for the field validation step. Through this process, Himanshu will bring together a network of researchers, birdwatchers, and institutions to sustain and grow the database. Himanshu’s goals for public engagement in nocturnal bird conservation and development of multilingual materials will serve his local community and align well with the broader GNN and Kishitij Foundation’s missions.
The funding that Himanshu receives will be used for data processing and equipment, fieldwork travel, and outreach activities. We wish him the best in getting his project off the ground, and look forward to seeing his progress.
The Kshitij Foundation Partnership
GNN developed this grant in partnership with Kshitij Foundation, an NGO based in Gujarat, India, that bridges local action with global standards by integrating science, nature, arts, multiple cultures, and human skill development. The foundation works across diverse societal layers to foster cultural and environmental stewardship through inclusive education, ranging from professional capacity building for frontline forest staff to specialized workshops for students with disabilities, wildlife rescue and nature awareness programmes for citizens.
The partnership has a personal connection: GNN steering committee member Deven Mehta is the founder and president of Kshitij, and the microgrant is named in memory of his late father, Mr. Manish Mehta, a man who carried a lifelong passion for nature and a commitment to continuous learning. For Deven, establishing this grant is a way of transforming his father's legacy into a global effort to support early-career researchers working in the often-overlooked field of nocturnal avian ecology.
By linking grassroots Indian researchers to an international network, this partnership aims to bring local field studies onto a global stage, build conservation research capacity, and grow a community around nocturnal birds.
To connect with the Kshitij Foundation directly, email kshitijfoundationbvn@gmail.com.
About the Microgrant
The microgrant provides ₹15,000 INR (about USD 150) to help get a project off the ground or support existing work. Funds can go toward field equipment (audio recorders, headlamps, binoculars), fieldwork travel, printed materials such as posters or field guides, or time spent on outreach. The goal is to support practical, well-scoped projects with a tangible impact on nightjar research and education.
This is the first step toward a small-grants program within GNN. Over time, we aim to support nightjar work everywhere, with a particular focus on poorly funded regions, building momentum for early-career researchers and practitioners, and growing the community around nocturnal bird research and conservation.
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