Waitt Foundation Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants – Small Grants for Island Nation Ocean Conservation

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Enriched private-foundation · Found: 2026-05-06 16:19

ROC Grants provide small grants (up to $20,000) with quick turnaround for ocean conservation in island nations. Currently restricted to Azores, Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Focus on sustainable fishing and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Rolling monthly review, no deadlines. Applicant must be affiliated with academic institution or NGO.

Source: https://www.waittfoundation.org/roc-grants

Funding Details

Funder: Waitt Foundation
Funding Goal: Small rapid-turnaround grants for ocean conservation projects in island nations, specifically supporting sustainable fishing and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Sub-themes include scientific research, policy support, management and enforcement, and communications/awareness.
Funding Amount: Grants up to USD 20,000 (up to 20.000 €)
Deadline: Rolling basis (Rolling)
How to Apply: Review eligibility criteria and FAQ on waittfoundation.org/roc-grants. Prepare: (1) budget, (2) project timeline, (3) proof of non-profit status. Submit application online via the grant portal on the Waitt Foundation website. No email/mail/fax submissions. Proposals reviewed monthly on a rolling basis; funds distributed within 2 weeks of decision.
Target Region: Island nations: Azores, Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu
Contact: rocgrants@waittfoundation.org
Last Checked: 2026-05-07 00:20

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Project must be in an eligible Blue Prosperity Coalition island nation (Azores, Bermuda, FSM, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu)
Applicant must maintain affiliation with academic institution or NGO throughout grant period

Project Scope

Project must focus on sustainable fishing and/or Marine Protected Areas

Required Documents

Submit application online with: (1) budget, (2) project timeline, (3) proof of non-profit status

Constraints

Grant must be sole or primary funding source; no complementary funding for larger projects
Maximum grant amount USD 20,000; no indirect costs/admin fees permitted
Project duration: 6 months maximum

Summary

The Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants Program is run by the Waitt Foundation to provide small, fast-turnaround grants for emerging ocean conservation needs in island nations. The programme is designed to be responsive and low-cost, supporting higher-risk ideas and small local NGOs. Eligible projects must be located in Blue Prosperity Coalition partner countries: Azores, Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Applications from the Maldives are mentioned in eligibility criteria. Projects must focus on sustainable fishing and/or Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Eligible activities fall into four sub-themes: scientific research (natural or social science), policy support (including policy analysis around upcoming government actions), management and enforcement (including infrastructure support), and communications (raising public awareness, stakeholder engagement). Grants of up to USD 20,000 are available with project durations of 6 months. Applications are reviewed monthly on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines; funds are distributed within 2 weeks of a funding decision. ROC grants must constitute the sole or primary funding source and do not allow indirect costs or administrative fees. Applicants must be affiliated with an academic institution or NGO throughout the grant period. Applications are submitted via the online portal on the Waitt Foundation website. The ROC programme targets small, local NGOs and individual researchers in the specified island nations.

Historical Context

Program complements the Waitt Foundation's major grants programme. Targets Blue Prosperity Coalition partner countries only.

Why it was added

discovered from funder #232: Waitt Foundation

Sources

https://www.waittfoundation.org/roc-grants

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