German Ocean Foundation

Enriched family-office · Found: 2026-03-11 08:12

The German Ocean Foundation is a non-profit organization which is committed to supporting the sustainable use and development of our ocean.

Source: https://www.germanoceanfoundation.org/

Funding Details

Funder

German Ocean Foundation (Deutsche Meeresstiftung)

Funding Goal

Promote sustainable ocean use and marine conservation through education, research, policy dialogue, and public awareness; not a grant-making foundation for external applicants

Funding Amount

Annual Ocean Tribute Award: EUR 20,000 for the best international ocean protection initiative; no open grant programmes for external applicants identified (up to 20.000 €)

Deadline

unknown (Unknown)

How to Apply

No open calls for grant applications identified. The Ocean Tribute Award is awarded by internal jury. For partnership or collaboration inquiries, contact the foundation directly at contact@germanoceanfoundation.org. Foundation finances its activities through donations and project-specific funding.

Target Region

Germany, European Union, Baltic Sea region

Contact

German Ocean Foundation, Berlin, Germany. Website: germanoceanfoundation.org. Contact via website contact form.

Last Checked

2026-03-15 13:26

Application Checklist

Project Scope

• Partnership and collaboration opportunities may exist via direct contact
• Primary focus is Germany/EU waters — limited relevance for Africa/Asia programmes

Constraints

• Foundation does not operate open grant calls for external applicants
• Ocean Tribute Award (EUR 20,000) is awarded by internal jury, not open application

Summary

The German Ocean Foundation (Deutsche Meeresstiftung) is a Berlin-based foundation established in 2015 and dedicated to the sustainable development and conservation of marine environments. Its mission is to promote responsible ocean use through education, scientific research, policy engagement, and public awareness, with a focus on the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and European waters. The foundation operates across four main programme areas: Education (ocean literacy initiatives, science competitions for school students, exhibitions), Marine Policy (engagement with the German Federal Government and European institutions on marine and coastal policy), Research (expeditions and citizen science projects including research conducted from their vessel ALDEBARAN), and Communications (film tours, campaigns, and awareness events). On ocean plastics and microplastics, the foundation has engaged through public education campaigns and policy dialogue, highlighting the impacts of microplastic pollution on marine ecosystems and human health. It does not, however, operate an open grant programme for external organisations working on plastic waste or marine conservation. The foundation annually awards the Ocean Tribute Prize of EUR 20,000 to recognise the best international initiative working to protect the ocean. This award is made by internal jury rather than through a competitive application process. For organisations working in marine conservation or ocean plastics, partnership and collaboration opportunities may exist through the foundation network rather than direct grant funding. The German Ocean Foundation finances its own projects primarily through donations and project-related funding contributions. Its separate nonprofit association, Foerderverein Meer e.V., was established in 1992 to support the research vessel ALDEBARAN. The foundation emphasises neutrality and independence in its partnerships, declining support from organisations known to harm natural or social capital.

Historical Context

Foundation established 2015. No historical pattern of open calls for external grant applications identified. Ocean Tribute Award appears to be an annual recognition prize.

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