DBU Marine Nature Conservation Fund - North and Baltic Sea Protection
Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-10 14:35
Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt dedicated funding area for marine nature conservation. Allocates approximately 10 million euros annually to enhance protection of the North and Baltic Seas through targeted project funding for marine ecosystems.
Source: https://dbu.de/en/promotion/project-funding/funding-topics/marine-nature-conservation-fund
Funding Details
- Funder
- Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt
- Funding Goal
- Protection and conservation of endangered marine species (sturgeon, salmon, eel, sharks, rays) and their habitats (reefs, seagrass beds); innovative environmentally compatible developments in offshore wind turbine construction, operation and dismantling to reduce marine environment impact; reduction of cumulative effects of existing and future maritime uses; development of innovative methods for monitoring, participation and communication in marine nature conservation.
- Funding Amount
- Approximately EUR 10 million annually for the Marine Nature Conservation Fund from 2025 onwards
- Deadline
- Rolling basis (Rolling)
- How to Apply
- Apply online at dbu.de/en/promotion/project-funding/request-promotion/. Subscribe to newsletter DBUaktuell for updates. Informational flyer downloadable from DBU website. Green Start-up Program offers parallel funding track.
- Target Region
- North Sea and Baltic Sea (Germany)
- Contact
- Dr. Maximilian Hempel (Department Head, Environmental Research), +49 541 9633-300. Dr. Sina Volz (Marine Conservation, Nature and Water Protection), +49 541 9633-330. Dr. Stefanie Moorthi (Marine Conservation), +49 541 9633-320. Dr. Klaus Michels (Offshore Wind Energy and Marine Technology), +49 541 9633-230.
- Last Checked
- 2026-05-07 07:02
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
The Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU — German Federal Environmental Foundation) established a dedicated Marine Nature Conservation Fund in late 2024, which became operational in 2025. The fund allocates approximately EUR 10 million per year to projects protecting the North Sea and Baltic Sea. The capital derives from an endowment by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV), funded by compensation payments mandated under the Offshore Wind Energy Act for the expansion of offshore wind energy. Thematic scope covers: (1) Protection and conservation of endangered marine species including sturgeon, salmon, eel, sharks, and rays; (2) Strengthening and restoration of marine habitats such as reefs and seagrass beds, including continuity of catchment areas; (3) Innovative, environmentally compatible technologies for construction, operation, and decommissioning of offshore wind turbines and related transmission infrastructure; (4) Reduction of cumulative effects of maritime uses on the marine environment; and (5) Development of innovative monitoring, participation, and communication methods for marine nature conservation. Eligible activities include research and development projects, practical testing and demonstration, and direct conservation implementation. Both R&D and practical implementation projects are eligible for areas two and three above. Monitoring and communication methods may be supported in individual cases. Geographic scope is the North Sea and Baltic Sea, with a specific German/European marine context. The fund is managed by DBU's environmental research division with specialist staff for marine conservation and offshore wind energy topics. Eligible applicants: Projects, organizations, and startups (the latter via the parallel Green Start-up Program). Doctoral scholarships are additionally available for young scientists focused on marine conservation. Fellowship grants are available for Central and Eastern European university graduates. Applications are submitted online via the DBU portal on a rolling basis. Regular updates on application procedures are available through the DBUaktuell newsletter.
Historical Context
Decision made by DBU Board of Trustees in November 2024 to establish a dedicated Marine Nature Conservation Fund. Funding started from 2025. Funded by an endowment from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), financed from compensation payments for offshore wind energy expansion under the Offshore Wind Energy Act. DBU had previously funded coastal and marine environmental protection under general project funding.
Why it was added
Major German public foundation with dedicated marine conservation fund allocating EUR 10M annually for North and Baltic Sea protection