Save Our Seas Foundation - Keystone Grants

Expired 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

Funding Goal

Funding research, conservation and education projects worldwide focused on threatened marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes and chimaeras) and their habitats, with a strong emphasis on real-world conservation impact.

Funding Amount

Average USD 25,000 per year; multi-year grants up to 3 years

Deadline

2026-05-13 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Two-stage online application via grants.saveourseas.com. Stage I: short online form (~4-6 pages), deadline 13 May 2026 at 18:00 CET. Stage II: by invitation only, longer detailed form (~10-12 pages), submitted in June. Biennial cycle — application window opens in even years (2024, 2026, 2028...).

Target Region

Global

Contact

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

Last Checked

2026-05-07 05:49

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Project must concern marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, chimaeras)
• Only one application per applicant; active Keystone grantees cannot apply

Project Scope

• Project must fall under research, conservation, or education activities
• Must demonstrate clear conservation need and real-world impact pathway
• Must include public outreach and communications activities

Required Documents

• Stage I application (4-6 pages) submitted by 13 May 2026 at 18:00 CET
• Stage II by invitation only (~10-12 pages), submitted June 2026

Constraints

• Grants average USD 25,000/year; usual project duration limited to 3 years

Summary

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) Keystone Grant is a major funding programme supporting research, conservation, and education projects focused on threatened marine chondrichthyan species — sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, and chimaeras — worldwide. The programme operates on a biennial application cycle, with the application window opening in even-numbered years (2024, 2026, 2028, etc.). Eligible activities fall into three thematic areas: scientific research into elasmobranchs and their habitats; active conservation interventions; and environmental education initiatives. Priority is given to projects with exceptional conservation need, clear pathways to real-world impact, and strong public outreach components. The Foundation expects all grantees to actively communicate their work through press releases, talks, and public awareness materials. The grant is open to individual project leaders worldwide — there are no explicit country restrictions, though the focus on threatened species implies a global reach wherever shark and ray conservation needs are highest. The usual project duration is limited to three years. Grants average USD 25,000 per year, with funds allocated on an annual basis. Project leaders may apply for continuation grants. The application process is two-stage: Stage I is a short online form submitted via the SOSF grants portal; Stage II (by invitation only) is a longer, more detailed proposal. Only one application per applicant is accepted per cycle. Active Keystone Grant holders are not eligible to apply for a new grant simultaneously. The programme is not relevant to plastic pollution, circular economy, or waste-to-value work. It is strictly focused on elasmobranchs and marine megafauna conservation, and explicitly excludes projects outside this taxonomic scope.

Historical Context

The funding cycle is biennial, with grant application windows opening in even years. Grants cover multi-year periods (e.g. March 2025 to June 2026). Over 300 projects funded since 2003.

Sources

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

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