Copernicus Masters is an international innovation competition that honors the best solutions using earth observation data and applications to solve global challenges. The Space data for “Blue Economy” Challenge, sponsored by the European Commission, seeks solutions that have the potential to stimulate new markets related to the Blue Economy and to contribute to environmental protection of marine resources. The winner of the Blue Economy challenge receives €10 thousand. All participants have the chance to win an additional €10 thousand if chosen as the overall Copernicus winner. The competition is open to participants worldwide. Submissions are open until 30 June 2020. Find the Blue Economy Challenge
The U.S. Department of State provides financial assistance to ocean conservation projects in developing countries. A grant for up to US$200 thousand will be awarded for work that will support effective management of Marine Protected Areas in selected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. The proposed program could include at least one technological solution to improve MPA surveillance. Eligibility is limited to U.S. and foreign non-profit organizations and academic institutions, as well as public international organizations. The closing date for applications is 15 July 2020. Link
The CCAMLR Scientific Scholarship provides funding of up to A$30 thousand to assist early-career scientists to participate in the work CCAMLR working groups over a period of two years. Working topics include research into krill population dynamics, approaches to spatial management of marine protected areas, integrated stock assessments for fisheries, among others. The scholarship provides funding of up to A$30 thousand. Each applicant must have the support of a Scientific Committee representative. The deadline for scholarship applications is 01 October 2020. Find detailed information
The G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation makes grants for research and operational support in marine and ocean conservation, earth sciences, climate change, and wildlife management. Past grants range from US$25 thousand to US$700 thousand. Grants are to U.S. nonprofit organizations for projects ranging from local to international. As of 01 March 2021, the Foundation will no longer be accepting unsolicited letters of inquiry (LOI) or proposals. Know more
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) makes small grants (US$ 5-8 thousand) to private enterprises in Tunisia in support of biodiversity conservation in coastal areas in the Mediterranean region. The overall aim of this call is to engage private sector stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices. Projects should be implemented in the future marine protected area (MPA) of Zembra and Zembretta. The call is open to the private sector, including small-scale businesses, private enterprises, local community groups and cooperatives. Letters for Inquiry have to be submitted by 20 March 2020. Find out more
USAID aims to combat threats to biodiversity caused by habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation, mining and marine ecosystem degradation, and overexploitation in the Philippines. Therefore, USAID seeks projects and activities to be implemented in areas of biological significance and/or land areas of high climate change mitigation potential. The total estimated budget under this call is US$22 million. USAID intends to make two to three awards. The call is open to eligible U.S. and non-U.S. foundations, academic organizations, for-profit private enterprises, and consortia. The closing date for applications is 10 March 2020. Link
The Blue Action Fund announces a call for grant proposals focusing on ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change in the Western Indian Ocean. Grants are made to NGOs with projects that focus on protecting Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and supporting sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities. The Fund aims to support projects protecting and restoring adaptation-relevant coastal ecosystems to reduce climate change-related risks for vulnerable coastal communities. The fund will allocate €2-5 million per project. Applicants are expected to provide substantial co-funding for the project. NGOs with projects which are situated in Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 24 May 2020. Find the call
The NSF funds an annual competition for research on the geographic distributions and interactions of human, physical, and biotic systems on the Earth’s surface. Projects on a variety of topics U.S. and international (through subawards) qualify for support if they offer promise of enhancing geographical knowledge, concepts, theories, methods, and their application to societal problems and concerns. Past projects include several in the world’s developing countries related to environmental disasters, waste management, marine spatial planning, wildlife conservation, and others. The deadline for regular proposals is 03 September 2020. Link
BBSRC accepts applications for strategic training awards of up to 12 months in duration to support research capability addressing current global challenges. The purpose of this call is to build a portfolio of sustainable training resources in research priority areas, focusing on sustainable development in developing countries. Focus areas include sustainable energy; clean air, water and sanitation; resilience to long-term environmental change; sustainable marine resources and agriculture, among others. A total of up to £500 thousand is available to support the training activities. GCRF-STARS applications should be co-created and delivered through training partnerships between the UK partner and organisations from developing countries. Applications must be submitted by 16 October 2019. Details
The European Commission seeks to support environmental sustainable of small-scale inland and marine fisheries in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region. The objective of this call is to secure more sustainable fisheries management and contribute to marine biodiversity and climate resilience. Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between €500 thousand and €1 million. Eligibility extends to a wide variety of organisations, including non-profit, social enterprise, businesses, local governments, or international organizations. The deadline for submissions of concept notes is 31 July 2019. Details here