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 (DBU) — German Federal Environmental Foundation
- Funding Goal
- Protection and conservation of North Sea and Baltic Sea ecosystems. Funds (1) conservation of endangered marine species (sturgeon, salmon, eel, sharks, rays), habitat strengthening and restoration (reefs, seagrass beds, catchment area continuity); (2) innovative, environmentally compatible offshore wind technologies; and (3) monitoring, participation and communication methods in marine nature conservation.
- Funding Amount
- Approximately EUR 10 million annually (total fund envelope); individual project amounts not specified
- Deadline
- Rolling basis (Rolling)
- How to Apply
- Submit application directly online via https://www.dbu.de/en/promotion/project-funding/request-promotion/. Subscribe to DBUaktuell newsletter for up-to-date information on application procedures. Flyer with all details downloadable at https://www.dbu.de/app/uploads/dbu-media-ft11-mnsf-onepager.pdf. Green Start-up Program and doctoral scholarships are separate pathways.
- Target Region
- North Sea and Baltic Sea (Germany/German waters)
- Contact
- Dr. Sina Volz (Nature conservation): +49 541 9633-330 | Dr. Klaus Michels (Offshore technology): +49 541 9633-230 | Dr. Maximilian Hempel (Dept. Head): +49 541 9633-300 | Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), Osnabrück, Germany
- Last Checked
- 2026-03-15 14:13
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Summary
The DBU Marine Nature Conservation Fund (Meeresnaturschutzfonds, Funding Topic 11) is a dedicated funding programme established in November 2024 by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) specifically to protect the North Sea and Baltic Sea ecosystems. It became operational in 2025 with an annual funding envelope of approximately EUR 10 million. The programme has two main priority areas. First, nature conservation and habitat restoration: protection of endangered marine species (sturgeon, salmon, eel, sharks, rays), restoration and strengthening of critical marine habitats (reefs, seagrass meadows, catchment area continuity). Second, maritime infrastructure and technology: R&D, testing and demonstration of environmentally compatible offshore wind energy technologies including construction, operation and decommissioning; reduction of cumulative environmental impacts from offshore infrastructure. Monitoring, participation and communication methods in marine nature conservation may also be supported in individual cases. The programme is financed through a dedicated endowment from Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV), itself funded by compensation payments legally mandated under the Offshore Wind Energy Act for offshore wind expansion impacts on marine habitats. This creates a direct link between offshore energy development and marine habitat restoration funding. Eligible applicants include organisations and individuals with relevant project ideas. Complementary funding routes exist through the DBU Green Start-up Program (for innovative marine startups), doctoral scholarships for young marine scientists, and CEE fellowships for university graduates from Central and Eastern Europe. Applications are submitted online through the DBU portal on a rolling basis. The fund is managed by a dedicated steering committee of DBU marine and technology experts in Osnabrück.
Historical Context
Marine nature conservation has been part of DBU's broader funding portfolio before this new dedicated fund. In November 2024, the DBU Board of Trustees formally established this new separate Marine Nature Conservation Fund. Active from 2025. Funded through an endowment from BMUV (Federal Ministry for the Environment) financed from compensation payments for offshore wind energy expansion under the Offshore Wind Energy Act.
Why it was added
Major German public foundation with dedicated marine conservation fund allocating EUR 10M annually for North and Baltic Sea protection