Pure Ocean Fund Call for Projects 2026

Expired private-foundation · Found: 2026-05-06 17:17

7th international call for projects financing innovative scientific marine conservation research. Up to EUR 40,000/year for 1-2 years. Open to universities, institutes and NGOs. Themes: marine pollution (including plastics), biodiversity, resilience, ocean-system knowledge. Phase 1 deadline: October 1, 2025; Phase 2 close: November 23, 2025.

Source: https://pure-ocean.wiin.io/en/applications/call-for-projects-2026

Funding Details

Funder

Pure Ocean Fund

Funding Goal

Finance innovative scientific applied research projects that contribute to the protection of fragile marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Focus areas: understanding marine pollutions (including plastics), protecting biodiversity and restoring degraded marine ecosystems, strengthening resilience of marine ecosystems and dependent communities to climate change, and improving knowledge of the ocean-system.

Funding Amount

Up to EUR 40,000/year (average EUR 30,000/year) for 1-2 years; maximum EUR 80,000 for a 2-year project (up to 80.000 €)

Deadline

2025-11-23 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Two-phase process: Phase 1 (Sept 1 – Oct 1, 2025): short online form with project outline, organisation presentation, graphical abstract, and keywords. 40 pre-selected applicants advance to Phase 2 (Oct 20 – Nov 23, 2025): full proposal. Apply at https://pure-ocean.wiin.io/en/applications/call-for-projects-2026

Target Region

Global — all regions of the world are eligible

Contact

https://www.pure-ocean.org/en/

Last Checked

2026-05-06 21:55

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a non-profit organisation (university, research institute, or NGO)
• For-profit entities, startups, and individuals are NOT eligible

Project Scope

• Project must address at least one Pure Ocean Challenge (marine pollution, biodiversity, resilience, ocean knowledge)
• Funding cannot be used exclusively for awareness-raising, clean-ups, events, advocacy, or training

Required Documents

• Phase 1 application: short online form with project outline, graphical abstract, and keywords
• Phase 2 (invited only): full proposal with context, objectives, methods, expected impacts, outreach plan, and budget
• Co-financing opportunities must be clearly outlined in budget

Constraints

• Maximum grant EUR 80,000 (2-year project); up to EUR 40,000/year
• Application must be submitted in English

Summary

Pure Ocean Fund is a French endowment fund (based in Marseille) that annually finances innovative applied research projects contributing to marine ecosystem protection and biodiversity. Its 7th international Call for Projects is open globally to universities, research institutes, and NGOs meeting eligibility requirements. The programme supports early-career and established researchers alike, with particular encouragement for gender-balanced teams. The call is organized around four Pure Ocean Challenges inspired by UN Ocean Decade priorities: (1) understanding marine pollutions including plastics, (2) protecting and restoring biodiversity and degraded marine ecosystems, (3) strengthening resilience of marine ecosystems and communities in the face of climate change, and (4) improving knowledge of the ocean-system. Special attention in the 2026 call is given to projects proposing alternatives to fossil-based plastics, using space technologies to combat illegal fishing, studying deep sea life, and projects conducted on the French coast. Eligible activities are scientific research projects addressing a clearly-defined research question. Projects must propose an innovative approach (technological, social, nature-based, or exploratory), target one or more Pure Ocean Challenges, demonstrate clear objectives and methods, involve inter/transdisciplinary collaboration, and include a dissemination plan. Funding cannot be used exclusively for awareness campaigns, clean-ups, events, art, advocacy, or training. Geographically, the programme is global with no regional restrictions. All types of non-profit organisations can apply: universities, research institutes, and NGOs. Collaboration with private sector entities is permitted but they cannot be the applicant. Individual applicants are ineligible. Selected projects receive up to EUR 40,000/year (average EUR 30,000/year) for 1-2 years, with a maximum of EUR 80,000 for a 2-year project. Co-funding is not mandatory but is viewed favorably. All eligible costs are covered including salaries, overheads, and transportation. Projects are evaluated on impact, innovation, relevance, consistency, collaboration, and dissemination potential.

Historical Context

7th international Call for Projects. Since its launch, 24 international research teams have received funding, average duration 2 years. Annual program; grantees for the 2026 call will be announced on March 21, 2026. Special 2026 focus: alternatives to fossil-based plastics, space technologies to combat illegal fishing, deep sea life, French coastal projects.

Why it was added

discovered from funder #700: Pure Ocean Fund Call for Projects 2026

Sources

• https://pure-ocean.wiin.io/en/applications/call-for-projects-2026

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