Marine Conservation Research Small Grants

The Marine Conservation Research Small Grants Program, initiated by the Society for Conservation Biology, aims to support marine biodiversity conservation in developing nations. This program provides funding for research and restoration projects that enhance local communities' reliance on healthy marine ecosystems. Priority will be given to applicants from developing countries and those demonstrating capacity to implement their proposed projects. Eligible activities include training local residents and conducting surveys to assess marine habitats.

Background
The need for financial support of marine conservation efforts is acute in many parts of the world, especially in developing nations and those with little or no access to conservation funding. The Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section initiated the Conservation Small Grants Program (CSGP) to fund worthy conservation projects around the globe. The objective of the SCB Marine Section CSGP is to advance the conservation of marine biodiversity and the communities which depend on healthy marine systems by providing funds to individuals or groups for research, conservation, and restoration activities in support of the section’s Mission and Goals:

• Mission
• To advance the science and practice of conserving the Earth’s marine biological diversity.
• Goals
• Be a global focal point for marine conservation
• Facilitate the dissemination of the science of marine conservation through education,
• publications, presentations, and media outreach
• Promote marine conservation as a priority for SCB
• Inform and facilitate the implementation of marine conservation policy
• Encourage communication/action across disciplinary, national and institutional
• boundaries
• Create the capacity to accomplish the aforementioned goals

Eligibility

If your country is not designated as developing by the World Bank, but has less
access to conservation funding, please explain/demonstrate that in the application.For continuing (previously CSGP-funded)
projects, eligibility also depends on timely reporting (within two months of the completion of the
project or the funded phase of the project).Examples of eligible activities:Providing materials to train local residents to reduce impacts of human activities on marine organisms and their habitats;
Developing educational materials for implementing conservation practices, such as teaching fishers to reduce bycatch;
Surveys of previously unsurveyed areas to evaluate status and conservation of marine organisms or habitats;
Participant travel to focus groups/workshops;
Research equipment and supplies (e.g. dive equipment, sampling supplies, photographic equipment);
Other direct costs (e.g., boat fuel).
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Applicants must be members of the Society for Conservation Biology's Marine Section.

Ineligibility

Examples of non-eligible activities: Travel to the ICCBs, IMCCs, or other meetings;
Personal expenses such as food, lodging, or professional membership fees;
Tuition or course fees;
Indirect/Overhead/F&A.