Save Our Seas Foundation - Small Grants

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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 (SOSF)
Funding Goal: Fund short-duration, small-scale research, conservation, and education projects focused on marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, chimaeras) by early-career scientists (within 5 years of a degree). Targets original, innovative start-up projects conducted by local leaders in local contexts.
Funding Amount: Up to USD 10,000; average USD 5,000. Funding awarded for one financial year only (12-18 months project duration). (up to 10.000 €)
Deadline: 2026-05-31 (periodic)
How to Apply: Two-stage online application via https://grants.saveourseas.com/. Stage I: short online form (~2 pages), opens May 2026. Stage II: by invitation only (~10 pages maximum), opens August 2026. All applications reviewed by SOSF Scientific Committee with final approval from Board of Directors. Blank application form available on 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/small-grants/
Last Checked: 2026-03-15 13:12

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Project must focus exclusively on marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, chimaeras)
Applicant must be an early-career scientist within 5 years of degree completion

Project Scope

Project must integrate at least two of: research, conservation, education
Project should be local — conducted by local leaders, maximum 10% international travel costs

Required Documents

Complete Stage I online form (approx. 2 pages) via https://grants.saveourseas.com/

Constraints

Project duration: 12-18 months; funding for one financial year only
Maximum two Small Grants per applicant career; cannot apply in year immediately following first award
SOSF does not fund satellite tags, conference attendance, overhead, or publication costs

Summary

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) Small Grant is an annual funding program designed specifically for early-career marine researchers, conservationists, and educators within five years of completing a degree. The program funds small, local, short-duration projects — averaging USD 5,000 per award — and is intended as a springboard for the next generation of shark and ray conservation scientists. Thematically, only projects focused on marine chondrichthyan species — sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, and chimaeras — are considered. Projects must combine at least two of: scientific research, active conservation, and public education or outreach. Priority areas include population baseline surveys, preliminary feasibility studies, education campaigns, and community-based conservation initiatives. Eligible activities include short field surveys, scoping studies for larger projects, local community education programs, and preliminary data collection designed to build toward a Keystone Grant application. SOSF explicitly funds local projects by local researchers and restricts international travel expenses to a maximum 10% of the requested budget. Satellite tags are not funded under Small Grants. Geographically, the program is global with no regional restrictions. The SOSF explicitly promotes diversity and encourages applicants from underrepresented regions. While open to all countries, the spirit of the program targets regions with fewer scientific resources. Eligibility requires applicants to be within five years of degree completion. Only one application per applicant per cycle is accepted. Successful Small Grant recipients may apply for a maximum of two small grants total during their early career, but not in consecutive years. Small Grant recipients are eligible to apply for Keystone Grants. Awards are typically USD 5,000 (maximum USD 10,000) for a single financial year (12-18 months). The SOSF does not cover overhead, conference attendance, satellite tags, or publication costs through Small Grants. Applications open annually in approximately May, with a two-stage online process.

Historical Context

The SOSF Small Grant is an annual grant cycle (applications open each year). Applications for 2025/2026 are currently closed and will reopen in May 2026. SOSF also offered a webinar in June 2024 providing an overview of the grant application process. The Small Grant is designed as an entry-level program for early-career scientists who may later apply for the biennial Keystone Grant.

Sources

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