THE TARA OCEAN FOUNDATION

Enriched family-office · Found: 2026-03-11 08:11

For 20 years, the Foundation has been supporting innovative Ocean science, in partnership with world-leading research centres, to study marine biodiversity, as ...

Source: https://oceanfamilyfoundation.org/the-tara-ocean-foundation/

Funding Details

Funder

Tara Ocean Foundation (Fondation Tara Ocean)

Funding Goal

Conduct scientific expeditions to study ocean biodiversity, microbiomes, and the impacts of climate change and pollution; raise public awareness of ocean conservation; provide scientific evidence for international marine protection policy — operating foundation that receives external funding rather than distributing grants

Funding Amount

No external grants programme; foundation operates with EUR 6.6 million annual budget for its own expeditions and programmes; receives corporate and foundation donations rather than making grants

Deadline

unknown (Unknown)

How to Apply

No open call for grant applications identified. The Ocean Family Foundation page linked to Tara Ocean Foundation appears to be a supporter/patron network. For scientific collaboration or partnership inquiries, contact fondationtaraocean.org directly. Corporate partners have included Veolia Foundation, AXA, Eurofins, and others.

Target Region

Global ocean research; expeditions in Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, Antarctic, Mediterranean, and European coastal waters

Contact

Fondation Tara Ocean, Paris, France. fondationtaraocean.org. Contact via website form. Scientific partnerships through the research coordination team.

Official Page

https://fondationtaraocean.org/

Last Checked

2026-03-15 13:30

Application Checklist

Project Scope

• Scientific research partnership opportunities exist for ocean biodiversity and pollution research
• Value lies in scientific partnership, advocacy network, and corporate funder connections

Constraints

• Operating foundation — does not distribute grants to external organisations
• No open calls for project funding or NGO grants identified

Summary

The Tara Ocean Foundation (Fondation Tara Ocean) is the first foundation of public utility in France exclusively dedicated to the Ocean. Established by yachtsman Etienne Bourgois and designer Agnes b., the foundation conducts scientific expeditions using its research vessel Tara to study marine biodiversity, plankton ecosystems, microbiomes, and the impacts of climate change and pollution on ocean health. The foundation operates with an annual budget of approximately EUR 6.6 million, funding its own expeditions, scientific research partnerships, educational outreach, public awareness campaigns, and advocacy at international level. It holds Special Observer Status at the United Nations and participates in key international ocean governance processes. Key scientific programmes include Tara Oceans (global plankton study, one of the largest ocean biodiversity datasets ever assembled), Mission Microbiomes (in partnership with nearly 200 scientists worldwide), Tara Europa (coastal biodiversity across European coastlines), and TREC (Traversing European Coastlines) in partnership with EMBL and major European research institutions. The foundation funds its activities through corporate and philanthropic partnerships rather than distributing grants externally. Major partners have included the Veolia Foundation, AXA, Eurofins Foundation, Agnes b. Endowment Fund, and numerous scientific institutions. It is therefore an operating foundation that receives funding, not a grant-making institution for external organisations. For organisations working on ocean plastic pollution and marine conservation, the Tara Ocean Foundation may be a valuable scientific partner, network member, or advocacy ally, providing scientific credibility and connections to major European corporate funders. Direct financial grant support to external NGOs is not an identified function of the foundation.

Historical Context

Foundation established as a public utility foundation in France. Has conducted multiple major ocean expeditions since 2003. Annual budget approximately EUR 6.6 million. No open grant calls identified in historical record.

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