The OCEAN Grants Programme represents an investment of up to £60 million aimed at funding projects across two distinct pathways. The program places a strong emphasis on prioritizing the involvement of local communities in decision-making processes.
Who We Support
The OCEAN Grants Programme is dedicated to supporting a broad spectrum of projects focused on marine conservation and poverty alleviation. Projects can originate from any ODA-eligible country, with a particular encouragement for proposals from local organizations working directly with coastal communities.
We welcome applications from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), research institutes, and other relevant entities. While private sector and local government organizations are not eligible for direct funding, we highly encourage collaboration with local non-profit organizations to bolster project initiatives.
This online application portal serves as the platform for submitting proposals for funding through the UK Government-funded OCEAN Grants Programme. Applicants are required to either register an account or log in to an existing one to initiate a new application or continue working on an ongoing submission.
Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN)
OCEAN, a component of the UK Government's Blue Planet Fund, is a competitive grants scheme designed to support innovative projects led by local coastal communities and organizations. These projects aim to foster marine conservation and poverty reduction efforts on a global scale.
OCEAN's overarching objective is to drive ocean recovery and enable thriving local communities and ecosystems to coexist harmoniously. Grants are awarded through two primary funding pathways:
Community Grants
These grants support projects spearheaded by small to medium-sized local organizations operating within eligible countries. Emphasizing local solutions to local challenges, these projects aim to enhance the capacity of communities and organizations to address marine and poverty-related issues.
Key Criteria:
Grant Amount: Up to £250,000
Project Duration: From one year to 31st March 2029
Eligible Countries: Refer to the full list of eligible countries
Eligible Organizations: Local or in-country organizations with an annual income of less than £1 million
Project Activities: Capacity-building for local communities and organizations, alongside marine conservation and poverty reduction efforts
Partnership Grants
These grants support projects led by medium to large organizations partnering with locally-led entities. By collaborating with and empowering local communities and organizations, these projects aim to address marine and poverty-related challenges at scale.
Who We Fund
OCEAN supports a wide range of projects that work to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty. Projects can be based in any ODA-eligible country and proposals from in-country organisations that work directly with coastal communities are particularly encouraged.
All applications are welcomed – from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), research institutes and others.
Private sector and local government organisations aren’t eligible to receive funding from OCEAN, but are highly encouraged to partner with local non-profit organisations to support their projects.
This is the online application portal for the UK Government funded OCEAN Grants Programme. Please register an account or login to an existing account to start an application for funding or continue working on an existing application. You can login / register by clicking the buttons in the top right of this screen or in the panel at the bottom left of the page.
Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN)
OCEAN is a new competitive grants scheme that will support innovative proposals from local coastal communities and organisations that aim to deliver marine protection and reduce poverty worldwide.
It is part of the UK Government's Blue Planet Fund - a £500 million programme supporting developing countries to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty - and aims to support the people and communities most impacted by declining ocean health and climate change through funding local solutions to local problems.
OCEAN's overall goal is to place the ocean on a path to recovery, and for local communities and nature to thrive side by side. To achieve this, grants will be awarded through two different funding pathways:
Key Criteria:
Grant Amount: £250,000 to £3 million
Project Duration: From one year to 31st March 2029
Eligible Countries: Refer to the full list of eligible countries
Eligible Organizations: Medium to large organizations with an annual income exceeding £1 million
Project Activities: Partnership-building with local organizations to scale up initiatives, alongside marine conservation and poverty reduction efforts
All projects must involve at least one local organization registered in the project's country.
For further details on eligibility and supported activities, please consult our Guidance for Applicants.
How to Apply
For additional information and application instructions, please refer to the OCEAN Grants Programme documentation.
