Marine Nature Conservation Fund (Meeresnaturschutzfonds)
Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-10 12:34
DBU fund dedicated to protecting endangered marine species and restoring habitats like reefs and seagrass meadows. Annual budget of approx. 10 million EUR. Applications can be submitted online at any time.
Source: https://dbu.de/foerderung/projektfoerderung/foerderthemen/meeresnaturschutzfonds
Funding Details
- Funder
- Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)
- Funding Goal
- Protection and conservation of endangered marine species (sturgeon, salmon, eel, sharks, rays), restoration of habitats (reefs, seagrass beds), innovative environmentally compatible technologies for offshore wind turbines, and development of monitoring/communication methods for marine nature conservation in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
- Funding Amount
- Approx. 10 million EUR annually (total annual budget for the fund)
- Deadline
- Rolling basis (Rolling)
- How to Apply
- Applications submitted online at any time via the DBU project funding portal: https://www.dbu.de/en/promotion/project-funding/request-promotion/
- Target Region
- North Sea and Baltic Sea (Germany)
- Contact
- Dr. Maximilian Hempel (Head of Environmental Research), +49 541 9633-300. Dr. Sina Volz (Nature Conservation & Water Protection), +49 541 9633-330. Dr. Stefanie Moorthi (Marine Nature Conservation), +49 541 9633-320. Dr. Klaus Michels (Offshore Wind & Marine Technology), +49 541 9633-230.
- Official Page
- https://www.dbu.de/en/promotion/project-funding/funding-topics/marine-nature-conservation-fund/
- Last Checked
- 2026-04-20 13:38
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
The Marine Nature Conservation Fund (Meeresnaturschutzfonds) is a dedicated funding programme of the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), established in November 2024 and operational since 2025. With an annual budget of approximately 10 million EUR, it provides project grants for marine nature conservation in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. The funds originate from compensation payments for offshore wind energy expansion under the German Offshore Wind Energy Act, contributed as an endowment by the Federal Ministry for the Environment. The programme funds projects across two main thematic pillars. The first covers nature conservation and habitat restoration: protection of endangered marine species including sturgeon, salmon, eel, sharks, and rays; strengthening and restoring habitats such as reefs and seagrass beds; and promoting ecological connectivity in relevant river catchment areas. The second pillar addresses maritime infrastructure and offshore wind energy: research, development, testing and demonstration of technologies that reduce marine environmental impacts during the construction, operation, and decommissioning of offshore wind turbines and associated grid infrastructure. Additionally, innovative monitoring, public participation, and communication methods for marine conservation can be supported in individual cases. Geographically, the programme is explicitly focused on the German North Sea and Baltic Sea. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organisations — research institutions, NGOs, companies, and other entities with relevant project ideas. Applications can be submitted online at any time with no fixed deadline, making this a rolling grant programme. In addition to project grants, the DBU also offers doctoral scholarships and fellowships for Central and Eastern European university graduates with a focus on marine conservation themes, providing complementary support for early-career researchers. The fund represents a significant institutional commitment to marine conservation, linking offshore energy transition compensation directly to ecological restoration. Applicants are encouraged to contact the dedicated steering committee members for thematic advice before submitting.
Historical Context
Established November 2024 by DBU Board of Trustees as a dedicated funding area for marine nature conservation. Operating since 2025. Funded by compensation payments for offshore wind energy expansion under the German Offshore Wind Energy Act, donated to DBU as an endowment by the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV/BMUKN).
Why it was added
Directly targets marine conservation, seagrass restoration, reef protection. High funding volume, rolling applications. Perfect fit for marine NGOs.
Sources
- https://dbu.de/foerderung/projektfoerderung/foerderthemen/meeresnaturschutzfonds
- https://www.dbu.de/en/promotion/project-funding/funding-topics/marine-nature-conservation-fund/