The Hifadhi Blu Program invites marine conservation organisations managing Marine Conservation Areas (MCAs) in the Western Indian Ocean to submit short motivation letters. The program will make grants of up to US$200 thousand over a two-year period (2026–2028). The focus is on strengthening site-level management effectiveness, such as enforcement, ecological monitoring, governance and community engagement. Eligible applicants include legally mandated managing authorities (government agencies, parastatals, delegated private entities) or community-based organisations with recognised management mandates. Submissions must be received by 29 November 2025. Hifadhi Blu Program
marine/coastal
CIRES — Visiting Fellows Program
The CIRES Visiting Fellows Program invites early-career postdocs and senior scientists on sabbatical to engage in interdisciplinary environmental research at the University of Colorado Boulder in collaboration with CIRES and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Postdoctoral fellowships run for up to two years with an annual salary of US$70 thousand in the first year plus a research budget of up to US$8 thousand, relocation stipend, and provided laptop. Eligible applicants must be within four years of completing their PhD, hold a doctorate in a CIRES-relevant field, and have a CIRES researcher sponsor. Applications are due 01 January 2026. CIRES Visiting Fellows Program
ARROW — Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development Youth Forum
The APFSD Youth Forum 2026 invites young people (aged 13–30) from across the Asia-Pacific region to participate. Centered on the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the SDGs: leaving no young person behind in Asia and the Pacific,” the Forum will focus on SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Life Below Water) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Selected participants will receive full funding covering round-trip travel, accommodation, meals and local transport. Applications are open until 10 November 2025. APFSD Youth Forum
Earth Journalism Network — Media Grants to Support Coverage of Marine Conservation
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers media grants to newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries, with particular focus on Ghana, Mexico, and the Philippines, to support in-depth and enterprise reporting projects, initiatives to train journalists and other activities designed to increase media coverage and the capacity of journalists to report on 30×30 marine conservation targets. ENJ anticipates supporting five organizations with grants of US$10 thousand each. Newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 24 November 2025. Details here
Ocean Foundation — Scholarship for Sea Turtle Preservation
The Ocean Foundation and the Boyd Lyon Sea Turtle Fund seek applicants for the Boyd N. Lyon Scholarship. Students with field research projects on sea turtle behavior and habitat use in the marine environment, as well as projects that promote sea turtle conservation in coastal ecosystems, can apply. One award of US$2,500 will be made to a Masters or PhD student. The applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university during 2026/2027. The application deadline is 15 January 2026. Boyd N. Lyon Scholarship
Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation — Science without Borders Challenge 2026
The Science Without Borders (SWB) Challenge is an international student art competition. The theme for this year’s challenge is “Microscopic Marine Life.” Students are asked to create artwork celebrating the vital role of tiny ocean organisms—like phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacteria, and protists—that sustain marine ecosystems, produce oxygen, recycle nutrients, and regulate Earth’s climate. The SWB Challenge is open to primary and secondary school students (aged 11-19 years) from all around the world. The winners will receive scholarships of up to US$500. The deadline is 02 March 2026. Science Without Borders Challenge
MedWet — World Wetlands Day
MedWet launches a call for projects to financially support actors in the realization of educational animations within the framework of the World Wetlands Day 2025. MedWet will select up to 34 projects and provide financial support of €250 for the implementation of campaigns and educational activities that highlight the importance of wetlands for humanity and the planet. This call targets actors that engage in wetland conservation in the Mediterranean region. Applications have to be submitted by 10 November 2025. Link to more information
Smithsonian.com — Annual Photo Contest 2025
Smithsonian.com accepts submissions from photographers worldwide in the theme of “Natural World,” among other categories. The Grand Prize is US$2,500 and the winners in each category will receive US$500 each. The deadline for submissions is 01 December 2025. Submit your photos
PADI Foundation — Grants for Marine Conservation 2026
The PADI Foundation offers worldwide grants in underwater science, environmental projects, and marine education. The Foundation supports research and education related to aquatic environments. In the past, applications have included many projects in tropical regions. Most grants range from US$5 thousand to US$10 thousand. There are no nationality restrictions. The deadline is 15 January 2026. Find the guidelines
Waterloo Foundation — Environment Fund: Marine Resources
The Waterloo Foundation manages an Environment Fund that supports projects to manage and conserve marine resources. Applications are invited from UK charities in partnership with local organizations in the developing world, and from non-UK organizations that can provide suitable references in the UK. The majority of grants range from £50 thousand to £100 thousand for projects of up to three years. Application deadlines are 01 March and 01 September each year. About the Marine Fund