Waitt Foundation - Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants

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

For NGOs Foundation Grant Global Coastal Protection Fisheries Marine Conservation Marine Protected Areas Research
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
Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants provide small grants for solutions to emerging ocean conservation issues and ocean protection in support of island nations. Projects must support sustainable fishing and/or Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Eligible sub-themes include: scientific research (natural or social science), policy (analysis and advocacy around public policy windows), management (enforcement and infrastructure support), and communications (public awareness and stakeholder engagement). Funding is currently restricted to projects in countries with Blue Prosperity Coalition partnerships: Azores, Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu (and potentially Maldives).
Funding Amount
Grants up to $20,000 USD. Project funds distributed within 2 weeks of funding decisions. (up to 20.000 €)
How to Apply
1. Review ROC Grant criteria and FAQ at waittfoundation.org/roc-grants and waittfoundation.org/roc-grants-faq. 2. Prepare three documents: (a) budget, (b) project timeline, (c) proof of non-profit status. 3. Submit online application at the grant portal (grantrequest.com, via the Apply Now button on the ROC Grants page). Applications reviewed monthly on a rolling basis. No email, mail, or fax submissions accepted. Email questions to rocgrants@waittfoundation.org.
Target Region
Blue Prosperity Coalition island nations: Azores (Portugal), Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu (Pacific Island Nations primarily).
Contact
rocgrants@waittfoundation.org | Media Inquiries: sbrody@waittinstitute.org
Last Checked
2026-03-15 09:03

Application Checklist

Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints

Summary

The Waitt Foundation's Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants Program provides small, fast-turnaround grants (up to $20,000 USD) for ocean conservation projects in Blue Prosperity Coalition island nations. The program is designed to fund emerging conservation opportunities that need quick responses, supporting sustainable fisheries, marine protected areas, scientific research, policy advocacy, and public communications. A key feature is the rolling monthly review cycle and fast fund disbursement (within 2 weeks of decision), making it well-suited to time-sensitive conservation opportunities. Applications are submitted online through a dedicated portal. Geographic eligibility is strictly limited to Blue Prosperity Coalition partner island nations: Azores, Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Projects are capped at 6 months duration and must use ROC Grants as their primary funding source. For European and Nordic marine conservation NGOs, this program is not accessible due to the strict geographic limitations to Pacific and Atlantic island nations. The program is most relevant to small local NGOs operating in these specific island contexts. For the plastic-circular theme, there is no relevance as the program focuses purely on fisheries and MPA conservation.

Historical Context

ROC Grants is a program of the Waitt Foundation, complementing its existing major grants program. It is designed to be responsive to emerging conservation opportunities, supporting higher-risk ideas at low financial cost, and engages small, local NGOs globally. Applications are reviewed monthly.

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

Similar Programs

ProgramSourceShared Tags
[PDF] INITIATIVES & PROJECTS - Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco
For NGOs For Researchers For Startups Foundation Blended Finance Grant Prize Technical Assistance Africa Arctic Global Mediterranean Southeast Asia Biodiversity Blue Economy Climate Coastal Protection Coral Reefs Fisheries Marine Conservation Marine Protected Areas Plastic Waste Pollution Research
family-office 9
David and Lucile Packard Foundation Ocean Initiative
For Communities / Cooperatives For NGOs For Researchers Foundation Grant Global Southeast Asia Biodiversity Blue Economy Capacity Building Climate Coastal Protection Fisheries Marine Conservation Marine Protected Areas Research
Foundation 9
German Marine Conservation Foundation (Deutsche Stiftung Meeresschutz)
For NGOs Foundation Grant Baltic Sea Global Biodiversity Coastal Protection Coral Reefs Fisheries Marine Conservation Plastic Waste Pollution Research
Foundation 8
Blue Action Fund
For NGOs Foundation Government Grant Africa Global Southeast Asia Biodiversity Blue Economy Coastal Protection Fisheries Marine Conservation Marine Protected Areas
Philanthropic Network 8
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation - Environmental Conservation Program (Marine)
For NGOs For Researchers Foundation Grant Arctic Global Biodiversity Climate Coastal Protection Fisheries Marine Conservation Marine Protected Areas
US Foundation 8

← Back to list