Oceanic Society - Expedition Impact Program Conservation Grants

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

Community conservation grants $1,000-$10,000 for marine plastic pollution, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience. By invitation, Spring and Fall deadlines.

Source: https://oceanicsociety.org/our-work/conservation-grants

Funding Details

Funder

Oceanic Society

Funding Goal

To empower local leaders, scientists, and communities to carry out ocean conservation work through the Expedition Impact Program. Grants support community-based projects in locations where Oceanic Society runs expeditions, covering marine plastic pollution, sustainable fisheries, climate change resilience, sustainable tourism, and behavior change for ocean health.

Funding Amount

USD 1,000-10,000 per grant; typically 3 grants per cycle with additional grants subject to budget availability (1.000 € – 10.000 €)

Deadline

2026-08-01 (periodic)

How to Apply

By invitation only. Spring deadline: February 1 (awards announced March 15). Fall deadline: August 1 (awards announced September 15). Time-sensitive opportunities from active expedition partners may be considered on a rolling basis. Email: expeditions@oceanicsociety.org

Target Region

Global — specifically in locations where Oceanic Society runs expeditions (including Indonesia, Kenya, Tunisia, Palau, and other coastal/marine expedition destinations)

Contact

expeditions@oceanicsociety.org; 1-800-326-7491

Last Checked

2026-05-07 05:42

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applications are by invitation only — requires existing relationship with Oceanic Society expedition programme
• Project must be located where Oceanic Society runs expeditions
• Must be legally authorised to operate in project location

Project Scope

• Project must create measurable conservation outcomes within 12 months
• Project must involve local communities in ocean conservation

Constraints

• Political advocacy, consumptive wildlife use, and pure academic research not funded
• Spring deadline: February 1; Fall deadline: August 1 each year

Summary

The Oceanic Society Expedition Impact Program (EIP) Community Conservation Grants support local champions of ocean conservation in locations where Oceanic Society operates its travel expeditions. The programme bridges conservation funding with ecotourism by funding partners who can also engage expedition travellers directly in their work. Thematic scope covers five priority areas: community development and conservation solutions (training, monitoring equipment, leadership), critical data collection and research (species surveys, reef and fisheries assessments), direct conservation action (habitat restoration, emergency response), behavior change initiatives (plastic reduction, sustainable fishing), and conservation storytelling (film, photography, digital media). Marine plastic pollution is listed as an explicit focus area alongside sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, and sustainable tourism. Eligible activities include projects that create measurable conservation outcomes within 12 months, involve local communities, and align with Oceanic Society's mission and expedition locations. Projects encouraging consumptive use of wildlife, political advocacy, general environmental education without specific targets, and academic research primarily benefiting institutions are excluded. Geographic scope is restricted to Oceanic Society expedition locations globally, including sites in Indonesia, Kenya, Tunisia, Palau, and other destinations visited by their expedition programme. Applicants must be active in these specific locations. Eligible applicants are organisations and individuals with an existing connection to the Oceanic Society expedition programme. Applications are by invitation only — not open to unsolicited applications from new organisations. Legally authorized to operate in their location. No specific organisational type (NGO, cooperative, individual) restriction stated. Grant amounts range from USD 1,000 to USD 10,000. Typically 3 grants per cycle. Programme runs twice yearly: Spring cycle (February 1 deadline) and Fall cycle (August 1 deadline).

Historical Context

The Expedition Impact Program has been running conservation grants for multiple years. 2026 grant recipients were announced April 3, 2026. Past grantees include projects in Indonesia (Alor island ice bag replacement, thresher shark conservation), Kenya (beach cleaning in Watamu Marine Park), and Tunisia (beach cleanup). Grant recipients often meet travellers on Oceanic Society expeditions.

Sources

• https://oceanicsociety.org/our-work/conservation-grants

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