Deadline: 31-Aug-2026
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s Ocean Shot-4 program provides grants of up to US$3 million for innovative ocean research projects that advance scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and develop breakthrough technologies for ocean exploration. The initiative supports international research collaborations focused on discovering new marine species, ecosystems, ecological functions, and advanced technologies that unlock new insights into the world’s oceans.
Program Overview
The Ocean Shot-4: Fourth Call for Applications is a global research funding initiative designed to accelerate ocean discovery through transformative scientific research and technological innovation.
As approximately 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans, much of the marine environment remains unexplored. The program seeks ambitious projects capable of generating major scientific breakthroughs and expanding humanity’s understanding of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and ocean processes.
The initiative encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, international partnerships, and innovative approaches that address critical knowledge gaps in ocean science.
Funding Details
- Maximum Grant Amount: Up to US$3,000,000 per project
- Project Duration: Up to 3 years
- Number of Awards: Multiple projects expected to be funded
- Funding Coverage: Includes direct and indirect project costs
- Grant Agreement Required: Yes
- Reporting Language: English
Final grant amounts may differ from the funding requested in applications.
Research Themes
Projects must align with one of the program’s two priority themes.
New Discoveries of Ecosystems, Marine Species, and Ecological Functions
This theme supports research that expands scientific understanding of ocean biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics.
Eligible topics include:
- Discovery of previously unknown marine species
- Identification of new ecosystems
- Ecological functions of marine organisms
- Marine biodiversity research
- Traditional ecological knowledge
- Ecosystem conservation
- Sustainable use of marine resources
- Ocean ecosystem resilience
- Species interactions and ecological processes
Projects should contribute new scientific knowledge that advances understanding of marine life and ocean environments.
New Technologies and Data Science for Ocean Discovery
This theme supports technological innovations that enable new forms of ocean exploration and analysis.
Eligible topics include:
- Ocean exploration technologies
- Deep-sea and extreme environment exploration systems
- Marine sampling technologies
- Autonomous marine observation tools
- Ocean sensing technologies
- Data science applications for ocean research
- Artificial intelligence for marine analysis
- Analytical methods for fragmented datasets
- Advanced modeling and prediction tools
- Digital technologies supporting ocean discovery
Projects should demonstrate how technology can unlock new scientific insights that are currently difficult or impossible to obtain.
Why This Program Matters
The ocean plays a fundamental role in regulating climate, supporting biodiversity, providing food security, and sustaining global economies.
Despite its importance:
- Large portions of the ocean remain unmapped
- Many marine species have not yet been identified
- Deep-sea ecosystems remain poorly understood
- Climate change is rapidly transforming marine environments
- Scientific knowledge gaps limit conservation and management efforts
Ocean Shot-4 seeks to address these challenges by funding research that expands scientific understanding and improves humanity’s ability to protect and sustainably manage ocean resources.
Who is Eligible?
Applications are open to representative research organizations capable of managing large-scale research projects.
Eligible applicants generally include:
- Non-profit research institutions
- Universities
- Research centers
- Scientific organizations
- International research consortia
Applicant organizations must demonstrate:
- Capacity to manage research projects
- Financial management capability
- Administrative oversight systems
- Reporting and compliance capacity
- Ability to coordinate multi-institutional research teams
Joint research organizations must also demonstrate their ability to manage project funds and research implementation effectively.
International Collaboration Requirements
The program strongly encourages international partnerships.
Highly valued proposals include:
- Collaborations involving multiple countries
- Partnerships between developed and developing countries
- Research involving Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Participation from researchers in underrepresented regions
- Inclusion of Japanese institutions
- Collaboration with Japanese researchers based internationally
Projects demonstrating meaningful international cooperation are expected to be particularly competitive.
What Activities Can Be Funded?
Funding may support:
- Scientific research activities
- Field expeditions
- Ocean exploration missions
- Laboratory analyses
- Technology development
- Equipment and research tools
- Data collection and management
- Research personnel
- International collaboration activities
- Workshops and scientific meetings
- Knowledge dissemination
- Project management and administration
All funded activities should contribute directly to project objectives and research outcomes.
How the Program Works
The Ocean Shot-4 program supports research projects from concept development through implementation and dissemination.
Selected projects will:
- Sign a grant agreement with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
- Conduct approved research activities over a maximum three-year period.
- Submit required technical and financial reports.
- Participate in project evaluations and assessments.
- Publish findings in accordance with grant requirements.
- Acknowledge Foundation support in publications and outputs.
Research findings are expected to contribute to the global scientific community and advance ocean knowledge.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a comprehensive proposal that clearly demonstrates scientific excellence, innovation, and feasibility.
A strong application should include:
- Project objectives
- Research methodology
- Scientific significance
- Innovation potential
- Expected outcomes
- Research team structure
- Partnership arrangements
- Budget and financial plan
- Timeline and milestones
- Data management approach
- Dissemination strategy
Applicants should clearly explain how the proposed research advances ocean discovery beyond current scientific knowledge.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Focus on groundbreaking scientific questions.
- Demonstrate clear innovation and originality.
- Build strong international partnerships.
- Include multidisciplinary expertise.
- Present a realistic implementation plan.
- Explain potential scientific and societal impacts.
- Show how the project addresses major ocean knowledge gaps.
- Provide a robust budget justification.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Proposing incremental rather than transformative research.
- Failing to demonstrate scientific novelty.
- Weak international collaboration structures.
- Unclear project management arrangements.
- Insufficient methodological detail.
- Overly ambitious timelines without feasibility evidence.
- Limited explanation of expected outcomes and impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum grant amount available?
Projects may receive up to US$3,000,000 in funding.
How long can funded projects last?
Projects can run for a maximum of three years.
Who can apply?
Representative research organizations, universities, research institutes, and other non-profit research entities capable of managing research projects and funding.
Are international collaborations required?
While not mandatory, international partnerships are strongly encouraged and highly valued during evaluation.
What research areas are supported?
The program supports projects focused on either ocean ecosystem and biodiversity discoveries or innovative technologies and data science that enable ocean exploration.
Are developing country partnerships encouraged?
Yes. The Foundation particularly encourages collaboration with institutions and researchers from developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
What are the reporting requirements?
Grant recipients must submit reports in English and comply with reporting, audit, publication, intellectual property, and assessment requirements.
Conclusion
The Ocean Shot-4 program represents a major opportunity for research institutions seeking to advance ocean science through transformative discoveries and technological innovation. With grants of up to US$3 million, the initiative supports ambitious international collaborations that expand understanding of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and ocean exploration technologies. Organizations with groundbreaking ideas, strong research capacity, and global partnerships are well-positioned to contribute to the next generation of ocean discovery and conservation.
For more information, visit The Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
