Save Our Seas Foundation - Small Grants

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

12-18 month grants averaging US$5,000 for early career scientists within five years of completing their studies in marine conservation

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

Funding Details

Funder

Save Our Seas Foundation

Funding Goal

Supporting short, innovative start-up projects for early career scientists (within 5 years of completing a degree) focused on marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, chimaeras) — including research, conservation and education activities.

Funding Amount

Average USD 5,000; funded for one financial year only

Deadline

2026-05-01 (periodic)

How to Apply

Two-stage online application via grants.saveourseas.com. Stage I applications will open May 2026 (currently closed). Stage II by invitation, submitted in August. Applications reviewed by SOSF scientific committee and approved by Board of Directors.

Target Region

Global — local projects conducted by local project leaders

Contact

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

Last Checked

2026-05-07 05:50

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be within five years of completing a degree (early career scientist)
• Project must concern marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, chimaeras)
• Maximum two small grants per applicant over early career; cannot apply year after first grant
• One application per applicant per cycle

Project Scope

• Project must be 12-18 months in duration; funded for one year only
• Project must be original and innovative start-up project

Required Documents

• Stage I application (2 pages) via online portal when window opens in May 2026

Constraints

• Grant amount averages USD 5,000; one year of funding only

Summary

The Save Our Seas Foundation Small Grant is an annual funding programme designed for early career scientists (within five years of a degree being awarded) to support short, innovative start-up projects focused on marine chondrichthyan species — including sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, and chimaeras. The grant covers 12-18 month projects and averages USD 5,000 per award, with funding limited to one financial year. Eligible activities include scientific research, conservation interventions, and environmental education related to elasmobranchs. The programme targets original and innovative projects with a local focus, typically conducted by local project leaders in their home region. Whether the project is standalone or part of a larger initiative, the grant supports specific and finite activities. Eligibility is restricted to early career scientists within five years of completing their degree. Only one application per applicant is accepted in any given cycle. Applicants who have received a previous small grant cannot apply again in the following year. A maximum of two small grants can be received over an applicant's early career. Successful small grant applicants remain eligible to apply for Keystone Grants. The application process is two-stage: Stage I is a short online form (~2 pages); Stage II, by invitation only, is a longer detailed form (up to 10 pages). Applications are reviewed by the scientific committee and require board approval. The Stage I window is expected to open May 2026. The programme is not relevant to plastic pollution, circular economy, waste management, or NGO funding — it is exclusively for individual early career scientists studying elasmobranchs.

Historical Context

Annual grant cycle. Applications for current cycle are closed and will reopen in May 2026. Information webinar on the grant held June 2024.

Sources

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

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