The Marine Research Grant (MARG I) provides young and upcoming scientists with funding to turn their ideas into research projects. The MARG-I Research Grant of US$10 thousand is awarded for a duration of 1 year. Early-career scientists and resource managers involved in research in the marine sciences in the Western Indian Ocean region are eligible to apply. The deadline for submission of applications is 30 May 2021. MARG I
marine/coastal
Blue Action Fund — Africa’s Atlantic Coast
The Blue Action Fund announces a new open call for grant proposals focusing on Africa’s Atlantic coast from Morocco to South Africa. The Fund provides individual grants to selected conservation projects with focus on marine protected areas (MPAs) to support conservation of biodiversity, and projects that seek to enhance livelihood conditions and food security. The Fund will award grants of €1-3 million. Eligible applicants are NGOs with proven experience in coastal and marine conservation and sustainable livelihood development in the area. NGOs must provide match funding of at least 25% of the total project costs. The deadline for submission is 16 July 2021. Link to the call
United Nations Development Programme — Coral Reef Rehabilitation
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) seeks NGOs to implement the ‘Restoring Marine Ecosystem Services by Rehabilitating Coral Reefs to Meet a Changing Climate Future’ project. The goal is to reduce the impact of climate change on local communities and coral reef dependent economic sectors in the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles. UNDP seeks two NGOs who have their seat in Mauritius. Both organizations will receive US$550 thousand over the course of 5 years for project implementation. The application deadline is 30 April 2021. Know more
Yunus&Youth — Fellowship Program for Social Entrepreneurs
The Yunus&Youth Fellowship Program is a six-month online program for young social entrepreneurs from all around the world. The program is designed for young early-stage social business leaders that have the potential to solve community-based problems with focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Participants will be matched with a mentor, participate in expert webinars with business professionals and receive help with business plan development. In the final stage of the program, fellows will present their social businesses to a team of real investors to shape their presentation skills and test their pitch decks. The deadline to submit applications is 20 June 2021. Learn about the Y&Y Fellowship Program
Copernicus Masters — Planet Challenge
Copernicus Masters is an international innovation competition that honors the best solutions using earth observation data and applications to solve global challenges. The Planet Challenge, sponsored by Planet, seeks new ways to help solve climate and environmental challenges through the use of daily satellite imagery, tools and analytics. The winner receives free Planet data for non-commercial purposes, consulting and a trip to San Francisco to Planet’s Explore Conference. 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 19 July 2021. Find the Planet Challenge
Celebrate Islands — Video Contest for Project Funding
Celebrate Islands invites video submissions for a contest “My project in 120 seconds” giving winners the opportunity to implement a small project on their island. Projects need to be achievable within one month and may focus on biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, waste and plastic, sustainable economic activities (such as fisheries, agriculture, etc.), water efficiency or energy supply. Celebrate Islands intends to award 3 projects with €3 thousand each. Island projects can be submitted from all around the world but need to focus on an island of less than 150km². Video applications have to be submitted by 30 April 2021. Contest Celebrate Islands 2021
Swedish Research Council — Research Links Program
The Swedish Research Links Program funds research cooperation between scientists in Sweden and scientists in selected low and middle-income countries. Past grants have funded research to address water pollution; control of agricultural diseases and post-harvest losses; livestock introductions; management of protected areas; and various other topics related to agriculture and natural resources. The maximum amount is SEK 400 thousand per year for up to two years. The closing date for applications is 13 April 2021. Find out more
Earth Journalism Network — Investigating Environmental Policy in Latin America
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers reporting grants to support the production of enterprise stories that will explore how international diplomacy is shaping environmental policy in Latin America. ENJ welcomes any story ideas that explore environmental and natural resource governance and the way the environmental policies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru are shaping their foreign and economic relations. ENJ expects to award at least four grants at an average grant size of US$1,500. Applications can be submitted in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Deadline for applications is 14 April 2021. See details
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Conservation of Marine Turtles
The Marine Turtle Conservation Fund (MTCA) accepts proposals for the conservation of priority nesting populations of six of the seven species of marine turtles (Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea, Eretmochelys imbricata, Lepidochelys olivacea, Lepidochelys kempii) throughout their range worldwide. The fund provides financial support for projects that conserve nesting populations and habitat and address other threats to the survival of marine turtles in range countries. Applicants may request between US$25 to US$200 thousand. Applicants can be individuals; government agencies; non-profit organizations; for-profit organizations; or universities. The deadline for applications is 12 April 2021. Marine Turtle Conservation Fund
University of Essex — Africa Scholarship Programme 2021-2022
The University of Essex invites applications from African students who self fund their postgraduate studies. The university offers a scholarship of £4 thousand to African students that will be paid as a discount on the tuition fee. Available courses include biological sciences, marine biology, and biochemistry, among many others. Applicants that meet all the eligibility criteria and firmly accept the offer of their place by 18 September 2021 will automatically be awarded this scholarship (please read the instructions carefully). Find out how it works