THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BEAR RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT
Helping Bears Through Research Since 1968
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
IBA aims to understand the world's 8 bear species through scientific research and collaboration with communities, conservationists, managers researchers, and students across the globe.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Research and Conservation Grants Program
This program currently provides small grants ($2,000 to $10,000 each) to support high-priority, innovative projects aimed at understanding and conserving bears. Our Grants Committee of biologists evaluates each proposal, often from graduate students, who use our seed money for pilot projects or as leverage to obtain more funding elsewhere. The amount of moneys awarded annually depend on donations and investment returns which vary from year to year.
Projects may involve direct study of bears through radio telemetry, population genetics, diet, habitat use, distribution surveys, or mitigate human-bear conflicts though education and surveys of local people.
Experience and Exchange Grants
This program seeks to train biologists by supporting travel where a successful professionals mentor other biolgists, perhaps from an under-developed counttry, in a specific skill. Examples include experience with genetic testing, field surveys, and human-wildlife conflict resolution.
Publish scientific journal "Ursus"
Twice yearly, IBA publishes "Ursus", a professional peer-reviewed journal providing timely new papers on all aspects of bear biology, ecology, behavior, human-bear conflicts, management, and conservation.
Where we work
External reviews

Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The IBA's goal is to promote the conservation and restoration of the world's 8 bear species through science-based management, research, education, and distribution of information.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1. Provide grants to bear researchers studying all aspects of bear biology, ecology, and management;
2. Disseminate current information by publishing the scientific journal "Urus", hosting international conferences and regional workshops and training sessions, printing a member newsletter, posting past publications online, and online discussions for members and students, and;
3. Increasing our Bear Conservation Fund so that we can increase the number of grants and their dollar amount.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
As a professional organization, including chairs of IUCN Bear Specialist Groups, university professors and graduate students, government biologists, and educators, we are in the unique position to select study proposals that answer current issues, using the most current and appropriate methods, for species with the most critical data gaps. We have a long-standing grants committee who themselves have years of bear research experience. We have the capacity to fund some research grants from a small internal endowment fund but require support from outside donors to reach our full potential.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Bear conservation is a long-term goal, and each year the IBA makes progress by publishing our journal, hosting well-attended international conferences, and providing funding for research and experience training through our grants program. Our strategies are working, but we always seek to improve our efficiency and expand these programs.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BEAR RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT
Board of directorsas of 3/31/2022
John Hechtel
Andreas Zedrosser
University of South-Eastern Norway, Norway
Karyn Rode
United States of America
Alexander Kopatz
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Norway
Marta De Barba
Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine (LECA), France
Agnieszka Sergiel
Institute of Nature Conservation of Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
Anne Hertel
Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Germany
Konstantin Tirronen
Institute of Biology Karelian Research Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
Colleen Olfenbuttel
North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission
Mark Edwards
Royal Alberta Museum/University of Alberta
Viviana Albarracín Dávalos
National Museum of Natural History of Bolivia (MNHN)
Board leadership practices
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No