UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
Enriched UN / Multilateral · Found: 2026-03-10 13:22
Global framework (2021-2030) generating critical ocean knowledge for sustainable management, driving collaborative actions across ten key ocean challenges with endorsed programs and projects.
Source: https://oceandecade.org/
Funding Details
- Funder
- UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
- Funding Goal
- Support ocean science initiatives aligned with the UN Ocean Decade (2021-2030) through endorsement and coordination of Decade Programmes, Projects, and Contributions that address ocean challenges and advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Call focuses on addressing priority needs from the Barcelona Statement and galvanising new contributions and projects to support existing Decade Actions.
- Funding Amount
- No direct cash grants — endorsement provides framework visibility, network access, and enables Programmes to seek funders. Contributions require fully secured budgets. Programme applicants must have at least 5% of total budget secured at submission.
- Deadline
- 2026-08-31 (Fixed)
- How to Apply
- Three separate submission tracks via SurveyMonkey forms: (1) EOI for Decade Programmes by 31 May 2026 at surveymonkey.com/r/EOI_CFDA11, shortlisted applicants invited to full submission by 31 Aug 2026; (2) Decade Projects by 31 Aug 2026 at surveymonkey.com/r/Projects_CFDA11; (3) Decade Contributions rolling basis, encouraged by 31 Aug 2026 at surveymonkey.com/r/DecadeContribution. Decisions in first semester of 2027. Applicants encouraged to contact relevant Decade Coordination Offices and National Decade Committees.
- Target Region
- Global — no geographical restrictions, but all applicants must demonstrate meaningful involvement of partners from Africa or Small Island Developing States (SIDS) / Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Projects can be national, subnational, regional, or global.
- Contact
- oceandecade@unesco.org
- Official Page
- https://oceandecade.org/call-for-decade-actions-11-2026/
- Last Checked
- 2026-05-07 08:57
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
The Call for Decade Actions No. 11/2026 is a competitive open call issued by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The call invites organisations worldwide to submit ocean science initiatives for endorsement as Decade Programmes, Projects, or Contributions. The overarching vision is 'the science we need for the ocean we want', aiming to co-design and co-deliver scientific knowledge that informs decision-making and supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The call addresses ten thematic Ocean Decade Challenges, including eliminating ocean pollution, protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, developing a sustainable and equitable ocean economy, increasing ocean knowledge, and unlocking ocean-based solutions to climate change. Priority areas are guided by the 2024 Barcelona Statement. Thirty-one existing Decade Programmes are actively soliciting new projects under this call, spanning marine acoustics, deep-sea ecology, fisheries modelling, coastal prediction, ocean oxygen, blue carbon, aquaculture in Africa, and ocean literacy, among others. Eligible activities for Decade Projects include scientific research, monitoring, capacity development, data collection, and knowledge dissemination. Projects must be discrete and focused, with a minimum two-year duration, and typically link to an existing Decade Programme. Decade Programmes are large-scale, multidisciplinary, multi-national initiatives lasting at least four years with global or major regional scope. Contributions can be financial or in-kind resources supporting Decade coordination or a specific Decade Action. Geographically, there are no restrictions, but all applicants must demonstrate meaningful involvement of partners from Africa or Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, including Land-Locked Developing Countries. This requirement signals the Decade's commitment to equity and capacity building in underrepresented regions. Eligible applicants include international and national organisations — NGOs, research institutes, universities, government agencies, private sector entities, and civil society groups — that can demonstrate the necessary expertise, partnerships, and organisational capacity. Decade Programme applicants must have secured at least 5% of their total budget. This is not a traditional cash grant programme. Endorsement as a Decade Action provides visibility, access to the global Ocean Decade network, and a framework for co-financing, but does not automatically deliver funding. Decade Contributions require fully secured budgets from the applicant. Programmes must either have identified reliable funders or be actively seeking them.
Historical Context
This is Call for Decade Actions No. 11/2026, one in a series of periodic calls under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). To date, 62 endorsed Decade Programmes and 657 endorsed Decade Projects are being implemented worldwide, with over 133 Contributions supporting them. The current call focuses on priorities from the 2024 Barcelona Statement. A 2027 Ocean Decade Conference is planned in Rio de Janeiro (7-9 April 2027).
Why it was added
Endorses and supports ocean science programs and projects, provides framework and visibility for marine conservation initiatives