PADI AWARE Foundation Community Grant Program

Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-14 20:57

The PADI AWARE Foundation provides grants up to $10,000 to PADI dive centers and non-profit organizations (operating budget under $1M) for projects addressing marine debris, climate change, habitat loss, and species protection globally.

Source: https://www.padi.com/aware/community-grants

Funding Details

Funder

PADI AWARE Foundation

Funding Goal

Funding for ocean protection initiatives that directly advance the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action, focusing on: Vulnerable Species Protection, Coral Reefs, Marine Debris, Marine Protected Areas, and Climate Change. Projects must support community-led conservation efforts and advance participation, education, and advocacy for ocean protection.

Funding Amount

Up to $10,000 USD per project (up to 10.000 €)

Deadline

Annual, typically October (most recent: 3 October 2025) (periodic)

How to Apply

Applicants must pass an Eligibility Quiz before applying. Applications submitted through PADI Mission Hub platform. Annual funding cycles: applications open around 15 September, close around 3 October. Notifications issued in November; agreements completed by late November; funds disbursed by December.

Target Region

Global

Last Checked

2026-04-21 05:26

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a PADI Dive Center OR a registered non-profit organisation
• Non-profit organisations must have an operating budget of less than USD 1,000,000

Project Scope

• Project must address one of five areas: Vulnerable Species, Coral Reefs, Marine Debris, MPAs, or Climate Change
• Project must advance the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action

Required Documents

• Applicants must complete an Eligibility Quiz before submitting a full application

Constraints

• Maximum grant is USD 10,000 per project
• Applications are only accepted during the annual open window (approx. 15 Sep – 3 Oct)

Summary

The PADI AWARE Foundation Community Grant Program is an annual competitive grant initiative administered by the PADI AWARE Foundation, the conservation arm of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). The programme funds community-led projects that protect marine ecosystems and advance ocean conservation goals aligned with the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Thematically, all funded projects must fall within one of five defined programme areas: Vulnerable Species Protection, Coral Reefs, Marine Debris, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and Climate Change. Marine debris removal and prevention is one of the core eligible priority areas, making this programme relevant to plastic pollution reduction in marine environments. Eligible activities include community-based ocean conservation actions, marine debris collection campaigns, species protection initiatives, and MPA stewardship projects. The programme places particular emphasis on local community involvement and practical direct action for ocean protection. Geographically, the programme is open globally. There are no country restrictions on eligible applicants. Both PADI Dive Centers and non-profit organisations may apply, but the operating budget of non-profit organisations must be below USD 1 million. Eligible applicants are PADI Dive Centers and small to mid-sized non-profit organisations (budget under USD 1 million). This makes the programme accessible to grassroots and community-level organisations rather than large institutional NGOs. Applicants are expected to be community-based and directly implementing the project. The funding amount is up to USD 10,000 per project for a single grant cycle. There is no co-financing requirement stated. The programme runs annually with a short application window (approximately September 15 to October 3), notifications in November, and funds disbursed by December.

Historical Context

The PADI AWARE Foundation Community Grant Program is a recurring annual program linked to the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The 2025 cycle closed 3 October 2025.

Why it was added

grant-scan-list8-2026-03-14

Sources

• https://www.padi.com/aware/community-grants
• https://www.padi.com/aware/grant-funding-criteria

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