Waitt Foundation - Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants

Enriched US Foundation · Found: 2026-03-10 13:22

Grants up to $20,000 USD for emerging ocean conservation issues. Focus on sustainable fishing and Marine Protected Areas. Priority for island nations in Blue Prosperity Coalition (Azores, Bermuda, FSM, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu). Rolling monthly applications with ~6 week response. Max 6-month project duration. No indirect costs. Requires NGO or academic affiliation.

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

Funding Details

Funder

Waitt Foundation

Funding Goal

Provide small rapid-response grants for emerging ocean conservation issues in island nations, specifically supporting sustainable fishing practices and marine protected areas (MPAs). Eligible activities include scientific research (natural and social science), policy analysis, fisheries management and enforcement, infrastructure support, and communications and stakeholder engagement around ocean conservation.

Funding Amount

Grants up to $20,000 USD per project (up to 20.000 €)

Deadline

Rolling basis (Rolling)

How to Apply

Apply online via the Waitt Foundation website (https://www.waittfoundation.org/roc-grants). Submit through the grant portal (https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/09fe478b-e087-4fda-a13f-c664d96b004e). Applications reviewed monthly on a rolling basis; some may take additional time. Funds distributed within 2 weeks of funding decision. Three documents required: budget, project timeline, and proof of non-profit status. No email/mail/fax applications accepted.

Target Region

Island nations; priority countries: Azores, Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu

Contact

rocgrants@waittfoundation.org

Last Checked

2026-05-07 09:02

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be affiliated with an NGO or academic institution

Project Scope

• Project must be located in an island nation (priority: Blue Prosperity Coalition countries)
• Project must relate to sustainable fishing or marine protected areas

Required Documents

• Submit budget, project timeline, and proof of non-profit status with application

Constraints

• Grant must be sole or primary funding source, not complementary to a larger project
• Project duration maximum 6 months
• No indirect costs or administrative fees permitted
• Grant maximum $20,000 USD per project

Summary

The Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants Program is a small-grant initiative of the Waitt Foundation designed to provide fast-turnaround funding for emerging conservation challenges in ocean protection, with a specific focus on island nations. Thematic priorities include sustainable fishing practices and marine protected areas (MPAs), covering sub-themes of scientific research (natural and social science), policy analysis and advocacy, fisheries management and enforcement, infrastructure support, and communications and stakeholder engagement around conservation opportunities. Eligible activities include opportunistic projects tied to unique policy windows, enforcement and infrastructure improvements, raising public awareness, and supporting conservation science in island contexts. Projects are capped at 6 months duration and grants at $20,000 USD. The programme is intended for higher-risk ideas at low financial cost, supporting smaller, local NGOs. Geographically, the programme is restricted to island nations, with priority given to Blue Prosperity Coalition member countries: Azores (Portugal), Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Projects outside these priority countries may still be considered but are lower priority. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with an NGO or academic institution throughout the project period. The ROC Grant must be the sole or primary funding source — it cannot serve as co-funding for a larger project. Indirect costs and administrative fees are not permitted. Applications are accepted on a rolling monthly basis with no fixed deadline. Funds are distributed within 2 weeks of a funding decision. Required documents are a budget, project timeline, and proof of non-profit status. The application portal is online only.

Historical Context

The ROC Grants program was created to complement the Waitt Foundation's major grants program. Featured grantees include Ocean Alliance (SnotBot drone whale research). Funding restricted to Blue Prosperity Coalition partnership countries.

Why it was added

Accessible rapid-response grant program for marine conservation with rolling deadlines. Open to non-US NGOs, especially in island nations. One of the few open-application marine conservation grants.

Sources

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

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