Sea Turtle Grants: Funding for Ongoing Activities (non-competitive mini-grant)

The Sea Turtle Grants Program, funded by Florida's Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate revenues, supports ongoing research and conservation efforts for Florida's sea turtles through non-competitive mini-grants of $1,000. Eligible organizations, including local governments and non-profits, can apply for funding to continue essential activities like nesting surveys and rehabilitation.

Background
Funded by a portion of revenues from Florida’s Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate, the Sea Turtle Grants Program distributes funds each year to support sea turtle research, conservation and education programs that benefit Florida sea turtles.
Approximately 70% of the funding generated by sales of the tag goes to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Turtle Protection Program to support research and management activities related to sea turtles. Approximately 30% is distributed to the Sea Turtle Grants Program. The Sea Turtle Grants Program is administered by the non-profit Sea Turtle Conservancy.
Each year the Sea Turtle Grants Committee will select up to ten (10) organizations or institutions conducting ongoing Marine Turtle Permit-related Nesting Beach Surveys, Stranding and Salvage, or Rehabilitation Activities to be awarded a non-competitive mini-grant of $1,000 in support of these activities.
Funding in this category is intended to support established activities of Florida’s Marine Turtle Permit Holders, funds may not be used for developing or printing materials that contain fundraising or membership development language. Recipients will be selected by the Committee and can not have received funding from the Sea Turtle Grants Program in the previous grant cycle or for any other purpose in the current cycle. Permit
Holders must submit a Registration Form by 5 PM, March 2, 2026, if they would like to be considered. The Registration Form can be found on the Sea Turtle License Plate web site
Note: You can both apply for Competitive Grant Funding AND register for Ongoing Activity Funding. Groups whose Competitive Grant Application is approved will automatically be withdrawn.
Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must actively participate in marine turtle research, conservation, and educational activities within the state of Florida:Florida Coastal Local Governments, Florida-based Non-Profit Organizations, Education and Research Institutions
Eligible organizations or institutions conducting ongoing Florida Marine Turtle Permit-related: Nesting Beach Surveys,Stranding and Salvage, or Rehabilitation Activities. Funding in this category is intended to support established activities of Florida's Marine Turtle Permit Holders. You can both apply for Competitive Grant Funding AND register for Ongoing Activity Funding. Groups whose Competitive Grant Application is approved will automatically be withdrawn from the Ongoing Activity pool.

Ineligibility

Funds may not be used for materials that contain fundraising or membership development language, or to support any type of litigation.Can not have received funding from the Sea Turtle Grants Program in the previous grant cycle or for any other purpose in the current cycle.