Save Our Seas Foundation - Keystone Grants

Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 22:02

Major grant program committed to protecting oceans by funding research, conservation and education projects worldwide

Source: https://saveourseas.com/grants/funding-applications/keystone-grants/

Funding Details

Funder

Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF)

Funding Goal

Fund research, conservation, and education projects focused on marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes and chimaeras), including their habitats, worldwide. Projects should integrate at least two of: research, conservation, and education.

Funding Amount

USD 10,000–100,000 per year; average USD 25,000 per annum. Biennial cycle, up to 3 years total duration with annual continuation applications possible. (10.000 € – 100.000 €)

Deadline

2026-03-31 (periodic)

How to Apply

Two-stage online application via https://grants.saveourseas.com/. Stage I: short online form (4-6 pages). Stage II by invitation only (10-12 pages). All applications reviewed by SOSF Scientific Committee with final approval from Board of Directors. Blank application form and budget template available on the SOSF website.

Target Region

Global

Contact

Save Our Seas Foundation, Quai du Mont-Blanc 21, CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland. contact@saveourseas.com

Official Page

https://saveourseas.com/grants/keystone-grants/

Last Checked

2026-03-15 13:11

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Project must focus on marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, chimaeras)
• Only one application per applicant per cycle; current SOSF Keystone Grant holders are ineligible

Project Scope

• Project must integrate at least two of: research, conservation, and education
• Grants average USD 25,000/year; maximum USD 100,000/year; biennial application cycle (even years)

Required Documents

• Application must be in English and submitted via the SOSF online grant portal
• Complete Stage I short online form (4-6 pages); Stage II by invitation only

Constraints

• International travel expenses must not exceed 10% of the requested budget
• SOSF does not fund overhead, conference attendance, or publication costs through Keystone Grants

Summary

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) Keystone Grant is the foundation's flagship large-grant program, supporting substantive research, conservation, and education projects globally. The grant has been awarded biennially since the foundation's establishment in 2003, with application windows opening in even-numbered years (2026, 2028, etc.). Thematically, only projects concerned with marine chondrichthyan species are considered — meaning sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, and chimaeras. Projects must integrate at least two of the three components: scientific research, active conservation, and public education or outreach. Priority topics include population assessments, habitat protection, fisheries bycatch reduction, management advocacy, MPAs, and community-based conservation. Eligible activities include field surveys, tagging studies, advocacy campaigns, community engagement, public education programs, and conservation management support. Projects that combine scientific data collection with direct management applications are particularly competitive. SOSF promotes local projects conducted by local leaders and limits international travel expenses to no more than 10% of the requested budget. Geographically, the Keystone Grant is truly global with no regional restrictions. However, the foundation explicitly promotes local projects by local researchers. All projects must be ocean-focused with chondrichthyan species at their core. Eligible applicants include individual researchers, conservationists, and educators. Institutions may be involved, but the grant is awarded to project leaders directly. Only one application per applicant is accepted per cycle, and current Keystone Grant holders cannot apply for new grants. Government entities are not directly eligible unless affiliated with an academic institution. The grant amount ranges from USD 10,000 to USD 100,000 per year, with an average of approximately USD 25,000 per annum. Projects typically run for up to three years, funded on an annual basis with continuation applications required. No overhead, conference attendance, or publication costs are funded under standard grants. The foundation does not support satellite tags under the Small Grant category but this restriction does not explicitly apply to Keystone Grants.

Historical Context

SOSF has funded over 300 research, conservation, and education projects worldwide since 2003. The Keystone Grant is a biennial program with application windows opening in even years (2024, 2026, 2028, etc.). Grants cover a project period of approximately 15 months, e.g., March 2025 to June 2026. Funds are allocated on an annual basis with option for continuation grants.

Sources

• https://saveourseas.com/grants/keystone-grants/
• https://saveourseas.com/grants/
• https://saveourseas.com/grants/funding-guidelines/

Similar Programs

← Back to list