Upcoming Deadlines
Source
EU
Federal (DE)
Schleswig-Holstein
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Lower Saxony
Foundation
Private
US Foundation
UK
Nordic
UN / Multilateral
Corporate
Impact Investor
Philanthropic Network
International
Topic
Aquaculture
Biodiversity
Blue Economy
Capacity Building
Circular Economy
Climate
Coastal Protection
Coral Reefs
Education
Fisheries
Marine Conservation
Marine Protected Areas
Plastic Waste
Pollution
Recycling & Upcycling
Research
Seaweed & Algae
Waste Management
Mechanism
Accelerator
Blended Finance
Grant
Investment
Loan / Concessional Finance
Prize
Technical Assistance
28 fixed deadlines, 88 rolling/open
May 2026
25.05.
6d left
Blended Finance Accelerator for Fund Managers (A4FM) – Convergence
· Convergence Blended Finance
· Stage 1 (Scoping): up to CAD $260,000 (~USD 190,000). Stage 2 (Proof-of-Concept/Pilot): up to CAD $500,000 (~USD 365,000). Funding in Canadian Dollars. Stage 1 grants are non-repayable; Stage 2+ grants are conditionally repayable. Grantees must contribute minimum 10% of total cost.
25.05.
6d left
Illuminating Climate Solutions (NGS + The Climate Pledge)
· National Geographic Society
· Up to $100,000. Recommended: up to $20,000 for applicants with five or fewer years of experience. Funds may be used over two years.
31.05.
12d left
NOAA Marine Debris Program — Grants
· NOAA Marine Debris Program
· Current open opportunity: individual projects $50,000 – $200,000 (total $2.2M pool administered by Ocean Conservancy). NOAA's own competitive grants vary by round.
31.05.
12d left
Common Waters: Community-based Coastal and Riverine Stewardship
· National Geographic Society
· Level I: up to $20,000 (for earlier-career applicants, first-time NGS grantees). Level II: up to $75,000 (for established practitioners or prior NGS grantees).
June 2026
01.06.
13d left
Convergence — Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator (DFAT)
· Convergence Blended Finance / Australian DFAT
· Stage 1 (Scoping/Feasibility): up to AUD 300,000 (~USD 200,000). Stage 2 (Proof-of-Concept/Pilot): up to AUD 840,000 (~USD 550,000). Stage 3 (Scale-up/Expansion): amount not publicly specified. Disbursed in AUD.
04.06.
16d left
Preserving Traditional Arts (NGS + Lindblad)
· National Geographic Society
· Level I: up to $20,000 (earlier-career). Level II: up to $75,000 (established practitioners or prior NGS grantees). Funds usable over up to 2 years.
17.06.
29d left
EU Blue Partnership - Transitioning Blue Economy Sectors
· Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP)
· Total estimated budget approx. EUR 43.5 million pooled across 38 national/regional funding organisations and co-funded by the EU (Horizon Europe). Individual project budgets depend on national regulations and participating funders.
24.06.
36d
National Geographic Society Grants - Ocean Exploration & Discovery
· National Geographic Society
· Level I grants up to USD 20,000 for early career scientists; Level 2 grants for established researchers (amounts vary); project-specific RFPs with own budgets
24.06.
36d
NatGeo: Developing Future Ocean Stewards
· National Geographic Society
· Level I: up to USD 20,000 over 1 year; Level II: up to USD 100,000 over 2 years (average USD 50,000-65,000)
July 2026
01.07.
43d
Darwin Initiative
· Darwin Initiative
· Innovation: £10,000–£200,000; Capability & Capacity: £50,000–£200,000; Main: £100,000–£800,000; Extra: £800,000–£5,000,000
August 2026
01.08.
74d
Rolex-Explorers Club Grant
· The Explorers Club / Rolex
· Historically, awards have been given in the amount of $10,000 USD.
01.08.
74d
Oceanic Society - Expedition Impact Program Conservation Grants
· Oceanic Society
· USD 1,000-10,000 per grant; typically 3 grants per cycle with additional grants subject to budget availability
07.08.
80d
Ocean Exchange Awards
· Ocean Exchange
· Three USD 100,000 Neptune Awards (non-dilutive) per cycle; two USD 10,000 Collegiate Awards; one Ocean Enterprise Award (amount not specified); evaluated annually
31.08.
104d
UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
· UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
· No direct cash grants — endorsement provides framework visibility, network access, and enables Programmes to seek funders. Contributions require fully secured budgets. Programme applicants must have at least 5% of total budget secured at submission.
September 2026
01.09.
105d
Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards
· Ocean Exchange
· USD 10,000 per Collegiate Award winner; two awards given annually; Guy Harvey Collegiate Award also available (amount unspecified)
01.09.
105d
Postcode Lottery (Nationale Postcode Loterij) - Grant Application
· Nationale Postcode Loterij (Dutch Postcode Lottery)
· Lottery allocates minimum 40% of revenue to good causes. 150 organisations receive multi-year unrestricted support. One-time donations also available for eligible organisations. Lottery contribution may not exceed 25% of organisation's total income.
09.09.
113d
DevelopmentAid - DANIDA Grants Search Portal
· DANIDA – Danish International Development Agency (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark)
· Highly variable across calls: from EUR 10,000 (small local competitions) to EUR 100,000,000 (multi-donor mitigation facilities). Danish CSO small grants budget not specified. Research calls: up to DKK 250,000,000.
16.09.
120d
GCF Accreditation — 2026 Windows
· Green Climate Fund (GCF)
· Accreditation is a process, not a grant. Accredited status enables access to GCF project funding (no stated ceiling). Application fees apply except for SIDS and LDC applicants.
17.09.
121d
REA - Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Funding and Grants Portal
· European Research Executive Agency (REA) / European Commission
· Variable by topic: EUR 101 million indicative budget for single-stage Circular Economy call (11 topics); EUR 28 million for two-stage Circular Cities call (2 topics). Typical Horizon Europe grants range from EUR 2-10 million per project.
17.09.
121d
Horizon Europe: Deep Sea Ecosystems Conservation (CL6-2026-BIODIV-03)
· European Commission / REA (Research Executive Agency) — Horizon Europe Cluster 6
· Horizon Europe RIA standard grant; typical range EUR 5-8M for RIA actions in this destination. Total call budget not specified for this topic individually.
17.09.
121d
Horizon Europe HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01: Improving Circularity of Multilayer Flexible Plastic Food Contact Packaging
· European Commission (Horizon Europe)
· EUR 5-6 million EU contribution per project; total indicative budget EUR 11 million. Lump sum grant (HORIZON-AG-LS).
17.09.
121d
Horizon Europe Cluster 6 - Circular Economy and Bioeconomy (2026)
· European Research Executive Agency (REA) / European Commission
· Up to EUR 101 million for single-stage call (HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO); EUR 28 million for two-stage call (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative). Individual project budgets vary by topic.
22.09.
126d
LIFE Programme - Environment and Climate Action
· European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)
· Total LIFE 2021-2027 budget EUR 5.4 billion. Project-level amounts vary widely by project type: SAPs typically smaller scale; SNaPs and SIPs larger multi-year projects. Operating grants available for non-profit entities.
23.09.
127d
Horizon Europe - Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters
· European Commission / Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) / Horizon Europe
· Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026/27 includes new 2026 calls for the Ocean Mission. Individual call budgets vary. Typical Horizon Europe project grants range from several hundred thousand to several million EUR.
23.09.
127d
Horizon Europe HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02: Achieving Mission Objectives - Reducing Pollution from Nutrients, Chemicals and Plastics
· European Commission (Horizon Europe)
· EUR 7-7.75 million EU contribution per project; total budget EUR 31 million across the call; indicative 4 grants. Financial support to third parties (local/regional authorities) up to EUR 100,000 per recipient is allowed.
30.09.
134d
NOAA Office for Coastal Management Funding
· NOAA Office for Coastal Management
· Contingent upon availability of appropriations; no stated maximum per award
October 2026
13.10.
147d
Munich Re Foundation RISK Award
· Munich Re Foundation
· Up to €100,000 (prize). Project total budget must be between €50,000 and €1,000,000.
13.10.
147d
RISK Award 2027 – Munich Re Foundation
· Munich Re Foundation
· Up to EUR 100,000 per award; overall project budget (including all contributions) must not exceed EUR 1,000,000. Budget can be less than EUR 100,000 but not below EUR 50,000.
Rolling / Open Deadlines
Rolling
Ellen MacArthur Foundation Global Commitment on Plastics
· Ellen MacArthur Foundation
· 12-month sign-up window for Global Commitment 2030 (started 2025)
Rolling
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
· Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
· 2026 awards already announced; 2027 cycle TBD
Rolling
Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP)
· Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP)
· 3rd Joint Transnational Call: launched September 2025; Rolling TA Call: open February 20, 2026 to February 29, 2028 (evaluated every 4 months)
periodic
Interreg Atlantic Area Programme 2021-2027
· Interreg Atlantic Area
· 3rd call for projects: recently concluded with approved projects; upcoming calls TBD
Rolling
Spain — Biodiversity Foundation - Terra Viva Grants
· Fundación Biodiversidad (Biodiversity Foundation) — Spain
· Annual call for proposals; specific deadline published per round
periodic
Blue Planet Fund (Defra)
· UK Government - Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) / Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
· Annual call; next round expected January 2026 (Round 2 grantees announced, Round 3 not yet open as of May 2026)
periodic
OCEAN Grants Programme — Community Grants and Partnership Grants (UK Blue Planet Fund)
· OCEAN Grants Programme (UK Blue Planet Fund / Defra)
· Annual — Round 2 closed February/March 2025; Round 3 expected to open late 2025 or early 2026
periodic
GPAP Inclusive Plastic Action Programme — Capacity Grants for NGOs
· Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) / World Economic Forum
· Annual, 2025 edition awarded (2026 round not yet announced as of April 2026)
periodic
Pure Ocean Challenges — Call for Projects
· Pure Ocean
· Annual, September 1 – October 1 (Phase 1); Phase 2 by invitation (October 20 – November 23)
periodic
Whitley Fund for Nature (Whitley Awards)
· Whitley Fund for Nature
· Annual, applications typically open in autumn for the following spring ceremony; 2026 round now closed (ceremony held 29 April 2026)
periodic
FCDO Blue Planet Fund — OCEAN Grants Programme
· UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) / Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
· Annual, next call due January 2025 (per November 2024 update)
periodic
Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) - Oceans Stream
· Creative Destruction Lab
· Annual, sessions run September to June; application timing varies each cohort
periodic
UEFA Foundation for Children – Annual Call for Projects
· UEFA Foundation for Children
· Annual, typically June-July
periodic
PADI AWARE Foundation Community Grant Program
· PADI AWARE Foundation
· Annual, typically October (most recent: 3 October 2025)
periodic
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation — Call for Projects
· Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
· Annual, typically autumn (2025 call closed; next call expected autumn 2026)
periodic
LIFE Circular Economy and Quality of Life Sub-programme (2021-2027)
· European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)
· Annual, typically autumn each year (2021-2027 programme period)
periodic
periodic
Dow Business Impact Fund 2025 — Project Announcement
· Dow
· Annual, typically early in the calendar year (2025 cohort launched in 2025; 2026 cohort timing not stated)
periodic
Oceanic Society: Global Ocean Cleanup — Annual Partner Grant Programme
· Oceanic Society
· Annual, typically spring (2026 cycle closed; 2026 event: June 13-14, 2026)
periodic
NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme — Annual Calls for Proposals
· NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme
· Annual, typically spring/autumn calls; no active call as of April 2026
periodic
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship - Social Innovation Awards
· Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
· Annual; typically applications/nominations open mid-year for award announcement the following year
Rolling
King Baudouin Foundation - EU Missions Horizon Europe: Restore our Ocean and Waters
· King Baudouin Foundation
· Call-specific; rolling calls published at kbs-frb.be
Rolling
Norwegian Development Programme to Reduce Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter
· Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation)
· Ongoing
Rolling
Norad Marine Litter Programme — Stage 2 (Invitation Only)
· Norad
· Ongoing (no current deadline — open to invited applicants on a rolling basis)
periodic
Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) - Small Grants Program
· Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI)
· Periodic annual round; 2024 and 2025 recipients were selected; next round timing not specified on website
periodic
KfW Blue Action Fund (BAF) – Marine Conservation Grants for NGOs
· Blue Action Fund / KfW Development Bank
· Periodic — open calls published on rolling basis; check blueactionfund.org for current calls
periodic
ZUG gGmbH Grant Programme against Marine Litter
· Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH
· Periodic, typically every 2-3 years (calls in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025); 2025 call is closed; next call date not yet announced
periodic
Danida Green Business Partnerships (DGBP) - New Programme 2026
· Danida (Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
· Q2/Q3 2026 (expected launch of new programme application round; historic DGBP round closed October 2025)
Rolling
Convergence - Global Network for Blended Finance
· Convergence Blended Finance
· Rolling (grant portfolio continuously updated; multiple cohorts per year based on published grants)
Rolling
GGGI Small Grants Program — Ghost Gear Removal
· Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI)
· Rolling (membership and grant access pending available funding)
Rolling
Norwegian Development Programme to Combat Marine Litter and Microplastics (Norad/MFA)
· Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
· Rolling - depends on specific open call
Rolling
[PDF] INITIATIVES & PROJECTS - Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco
· Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco)
· Rolling / annual calls per initiative (e.g., DIMFE annual call; Polar Initiative call launched June 2024; Pelagos Initiative call 2024). No single universal deadline.
Rolling
European Science Foundation — Blue Action (Atlantic-Arctic Ocean Research)
· European Science Foundation
· Rolling / multiple calls; project period September 2025 - August 2029
Rolling
BlueInvest - Maritime Forum - European Union
· European Commission – Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
· Rolling / ongoing community platform; BlueInvest Day 2026: March 2026
periodic
EMFAF Annual Work Programme 2026-2027 — Grants and Procurement
· European Commission — DG MARE / CINEA
· Rolling / programme period 2026-2027; individual calls published separately on CINEA/DG MARE portals
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
UKRI / Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - Marine Programs
· UK Research and Innovation / Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
· Rolling basis
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Global Fund for Coral Reefs - Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco
· Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR)
· Rolling basis
Rolling
Rolling
Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) — Partnership Programme
· Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW)
· Rolling basis
Rolling
Rolling
GCF Project-Specific Assessment Approach (PSAA) — Single-Project Fast Track
· Green Climate Fund (GCF)
· Rolling basis
Rolling
Rolling
GCF Simplified Approval Process (SAP) — via Accredited Entity Partner
· Green Climate Fund
· Rolling basis
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation — Nature Conservation
· Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation
· Rolling basis
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme
· NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme
· Rolling basis
Rolling
The Ocean Foundation Grantmaking
· The Ocean Foundation
· Rolling basis (Letters of Inquiry reviewed quarterly; full proposals by invitation only)
Rolling
Walmart Foundation Grants — Advancing Sustainability (Waste, Climate, Nature)
· Walmart Foundation
· Rolling basis (Local Community Grants open year-round); all other programs are invitation-only with no published deadlines
Rolling
MSC Ocean Stewardship Fund
· Marine Stewardship Council
· Rolling basis (Recertification Assistance Fund open on rolling basis; annual grants cycle currently closed)
Rolling
UK PACT - Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions
· UK PACT (UK Government, FCDO / DESNZ)
· Rolling basis (country funds have individual open calls)
Rolling
11th Hour Racing Grant Program
· 11th Hour Racing
· Rolling basis - applications accepted year-round in 2026
Rolling
DOEN Foundation Funding Opportunities
· DOEN Foundation (Stichting DOEN)
· Rolling basis - applications accepted year-round via online portal
Rolling
European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027
· European Commission - DG MARE
· Rolling basis - ongoing calls under national programmes; specific direct management calls have individual deadlines
Rolling
UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme - Waste Picker Livelihood and Plastics Projects
· UNDP / Global Environment Facility (GEF)
· Rolling basis at country level; individual country programmes issue calls independently
Rolling
KfW Sustainable Ocean Fund (SOF)
· KfW Development Bank
· Rolling basis — SOF is an active investment fund; approach via fund management
Rolling
Bezos Earth Fund – Conserving & Restoring Nature Program
· Bezos Earth Fund
· Rolling basis — no open call; grants awarded on invite-only or strategic partnership basis
periodic
European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027
· European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)
· Rolling basis; individual calls have specific deadlines listed at cinea.ec.europa.eu/funding-opportunities/calls-proposals
Rolling
Ashoka Fellowship - Support for Social Entrepreneurs
· Ashoka
· Rolling basis; nominations accepted year-round through Ashoka country offices
Rolling
EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 / 2021-2028
· EEA Grants / Norway Grants
· Rolling — each beneficiary country has its own programme timeline and call schedule
Rolling
EPPIC — End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative Grant Program
· IUCN / End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC)
· Rolling, per RFP announcement; 2024 RFPs are now closed. Next RFPs date unknown.
periodic
OCEAN Grant Programme UK - Marine Community Grants
· UK Blue Planet Fund / OCEAN Grants Programme (administered by NIRAS)
· Round 2 application window is now closed. Future rounds expected; sign up to mailing list for updates. Programme runs until 2029.
periodic
Civil Society Fund
· CISU - Civil Society in Development
· Small/Large Project: January 28, 2026 and August 26, 2026; Small Programme: March 4, 2026 and September 9, 2026; Co-financing: Ongoing/rolling
periodic
periodic
EU Digital Twins of the Ocean (DTO) - Horizon Europe
· European Commission - Research and Innovation
· Unknown
Rolling
periodic
European Environment Initiative (EURENI) - ZUG Germany
· Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH
· Unknown
periodic
Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA)
· United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) / Adaptation Fund / European Union
· Unknown
periodic
Catalytic Climate Finance Facility (CCFacility) – CPI & Convergence
· Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) and Convergence Blended Finance
· Unknown
periodic
King Baudouin Foundation - Climate, Environment and Biodiversity Program
· King Baudouin Foundation
· Varies by call; approximately 150-180 calls published annually
periodic
Convergence Blended Finance — Accelerator Design Grants
· Convergence Blended Finance
· Varies by initiative window. Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator: second call launching June 1, 2026. A4FM Fund Managers: May 25, 2026. Asia Climate Solutions: date TBA. Catalytic Climate Finance Facility: date TBA.