Earthwatch Marine Conservation Research Funding

Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 22:07

Earthwatch provides funding for marine conservation citizen science research projects. RFP for collaborative research expeditions involving community participation in ocean monitoring.

Source: https://earthwatch.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/RFP_Marine_Conservation_2025_0.pdf

Funding Details

Funder

Earthwatch Institute

Funding Goal

To fund field-based marine conservation research projects that involve citizen-scientist participants in taking direct, measurable action to conserve marine ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and address global change in ocean environments. Projects focus on keystone species, coral reefs, sea turtle ecology, mangroves, climate change impacts, marine plastics, and urban marine ecology.

Funding Amount

Annual grants typically range USD $20,000–$80,000, covering field expenses on a per-capita basis based on the number of recruited citizen-science participants. Grants cover participant transport, housing, and equipment costs but not scientist salaries, student tuition, overhead, or capital equipment. Projects are funded for 3 years, subject to annual performance review, with average support duration of 10 years. (20.000 € – 80.000 €)

Deadline

2023-06-09 (periodic)

How to Apply

Submit pre-proposal at earthwatch.org/research-funding/apply-for-funding. Pre-proposals in English. Earthwatch selects pre-proposals for development into full research proposals. Contact: research@earthwatch.org

Target Region

Global — South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Prioritises projects in the West Indies and Caribbean (particularly Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands) for sea turtle projects. Cannot operate in Earthwatch No-Go List countries.

Contact

research@earthwatch.org | Earthwatch Institute, 300 Washington St., Suite 713, Newton, MA 02458 | T: 1.978.461.0081 | 1.800.776.0188 | F: 1.978.461.2332

Last Checked

2026-03-15 13:00

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Lead PI or at least one team member must hold a PhD in the relevant research area
• PI must be affiliated with a university, government/tribal agency, or science-focused NGO

Project Scope

• Research must be field-based and incorporate citizen-scientist participants
• Must field minimum 4 research teams per year (4-15 participants each, 7-9 day duration)
• Project must have a minimum 3-year duration with quantifiable goals and measurable impacts

Required Documents

• Submit pre-proposal online at earthwatch.org/research-funding/apply-for-funding (pre-proposals selected for full proposal invitation)

Constraints

• Must receive support from at least one other funding source (co-funding required)
• All communications, research, and documents must be in English
• Cannot operate in countries on the Earthwatch No-Go List
• Provide reputable housing for participants within 45-minute drive from research site

Summary

The Earthwatch Marine Conservation Request for Pre-Proposals is a recurring grant programme operated by the Earthwatch Institute (founded 1971, based in Newton, Massachusetts, USA) that funds field-based marine research projects incorporating citizen-science participation. The programme aims to take direct, measurable action on marine conservation by involving public volunteers in scientific data collection. Thematically, the programme funds research on: food-web relationships driven by apex predators and keystone species; sea turtle ecology and conservation (prioritising Caribbean/West Indies); conserving and restoring threatened ecosystems (coral reefs, mangroves, salt marshes, coastal wetlands); climate change impacts on marine biodiversity, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and marine carbon sequestration; ecological restoration of damaged marine ecosystems; urban marine ecology and climate resilience; marine macro- and microplastic impacts and reduction; and marine research promoting human-wildlife coexistence. All pre-proposals must be hypothesis-driven with quantifiable goals and measurable direct impacts. Eligible activities are field-based and must field a minimum of 4 research teams per year (4-15 participants per team), with team lengths typically 7-9 days. Projects must incorporate citizen scientists recruited by Earthwatch and must have a minimum 3-year duration. Research must be conducted in English with all communications in English. Geographic scope is global, encompassing South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America, with specific prioritisation of the West Indies and Caribbean for sea turtle projects. Projects may not operate in countries on the Earthwatch No-Go List. Eligible applicants must include a lead Principal Investigator (or at least one team member) with a PhD in the relevant research area and an affiliation with a university, government or tribal agency, or science-focused NGO. Earthwatch actively encourages applications from underrepresented groups in STEM, local scientists, and early-career researchers. Annual funding typically ranges USD $20,000–$80,000 per project, provided on a per-capita basis based on recruited participants. Grants cover field expenses including equipment, permits, transportation to field, support staff, and housing — but not scientist salaries, tuition, overhead, or capital equipment. Projects are funded for 3 years with possible renewal; the institute supports projects for an average of 10 years. At least one co-funding source is required. Applications are submitted as pre-proposals via the Earthwatch online portal.

Historical Context

Earthwatch has funded scientists with citizen-scientist participants since 1971. This RFP was issued in April 2023 for projects starting in 2025. The institute currently supports projects for an average of 10 years, indicating long-term partnership. Pre-proposals for 2025 projects were accepted through June 9, 2023. The programme is recurring and previously issued similar RFPs.

Sources

• https://earthwatch.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/RFP_Marine_Conservation_2025_0.pdf

Similar Programs

← Back to list