Apply Now for Save Our Seas Foundation Small Grants Program

Deadline: 03-Jul-2026

The SOSF Small Grants programme supports early-career professionals working on conservation, research, and education projects that benefit marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, and relatives). The programme prioritizes applied work that integrates research, conservation action, and community or education components with measurable conservation outcomes.

Keywords: Save Our Seas Foundation, Small Grants, sharks, rays, chondrichthyan conservation, early-career researchers, applied marine research, conservation education.

Key facts (at a glance)

• Funder: Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF)

• Award size: typically US$5,000; up to US$10,000

• Project length: up to 18 months; funding supports one financial year of activity

• Applicant eligibility: early-career professionals within 5 years of the most recent degree or relevant qualification (by January of the project year)

• Application: two-stage online process (Stage II by invitation only)

• Limit: one application per cycle; up to two Small Grants per applicant during early career; no application the year after receiving a Small Grant

• Exclusions: publication fees, conference attendance, satellite tags (under Small Grants), institutional overheads, admin fees, international travel >10% of budget

Expanded explanation of key concepts

What are “marine chondrichthyan species”?

• Definition: Cartilaginous fishes including sharks, rays (batoids), and chimaeras.

• Relevance: Many species are threatened by fishing, habitat loss, and climate change; targeted conservation and research inform management and policy.

Who counts as an “early-career professional”?

• Definition: Individuals within five years of their most recent degree or relevant professional qualification, measured from January of the intended project year.

• Examples: recent MSc or PhD graduates, early-stage technicians, recent professional diploma holders with relevant roles.

What is “applied conservation value”?

• Definition: Research or actions that directly contribute to conserving species or habitats, inform management or policy, or improve public awareness and behavior.

• Examples: population surveys tied to local fisheries management, community education programs to reduce bycatch, field trials of gear to reduce mortality.

Who is eligible?

• Early-career professionals within five years of their last degree or qualification by January of the project year.

• Projects must focus primarily on marine chondrichthyan species.

• Emphasis on projects led by local project leaders where relevant (to ensure local relevance and capacity building).

• One application per applicant per cycle.

• Applicants cannot apply the year immediately following receipt of a Small Grant.

• Successful applicants may receive up to two Small Grants during their early career.

What the grant funds (eligible costs)

• Project field costs, consumables, local equipment related to project aims.

• Short-term staffing and limited stipends for early-career scientists (up to 10% of total budget, with justification).

• Local travel and community engagement costs within the 10% international travel cap.

• Equipment purchases allowed; equipment remains property of the host institution/organisation.

What the grant does NOT fund (ineligible costs)

• Publication costs (page charges, open access fees)

• Conference attendance or presentation costs

• Satellite tags under Small Grants (may be allowed in other SOSF schemes)

• Institutional overheads or administration fees

• International travel exceeding 10% of the total budget

• Any costs not justified as directly supporting the project’s applied conservation outcomes

Why it matters

• Targets capacity building: supports early-career professionals to gain experience and leadership in chondrichthyan conservation.

• Enables applied outcomes: funds short-term projects that can influence local management, policy, or community behavior.

• Strengthens local leadership: preference for locally led projects builds in-country conservation capacity.

• Catalyses longer-term research: small grants can produce results that support larger follow-up funding or inform regional conservation planning.

How the programme works — Step-by-step

1. Prepare early (3–6 months recommended)

   • Develop a clear project plan with measurable conservation outcomes.

   • Identify host institution and confirm equipment ownership and financial arrangements.

   • Ensure you meet the early-career eligibility deadline (within five years by January of project year).

2. Stage I: online application

   • Submit a single Stage I application via the SOSF online portal.

   • Include project summary, objectives, methods, timeline (≤18 months), budget, and justification for any stipends (max 10%).

   • State local leadership and institutional support.

3. Review and invitation

   • SOSF Scientific Committee reviews Stage I applications.

   • A subset are invited to submit Stage II.

4. Stage II: invited full application

   • Provide detailed methodology, monitoring and evaluation metrics, stakeholder engagement plans, itemized budget and justification, CVs, permits or permit plans, and institutional endorsement.

   • Address ethical, permitting, and animal welfare considerations as required.

5. Final review and decision

   • External scientific advisors may be consulted.

   • SOSF Board of Directors makes final funding decisions.

   • Awardees notified and grants administered through host institutions.

6. Project implementation and reporting

   • Execute project within the approved timeframe and budget.

   • Submit progress reports and a final report as required by SOSF.

   • Return or transfer equipment to host institution as stipulated.

Budget and timeline guidance

• Typical award: US$5,000; maximum US$10,000.

• Projects must complete within 18 months.

• Keep international travel under 10% of the total budget.

• If requesting stipends for early-career staff, limit to ≤10% of the budget and provide clear justification.

Common mistakes and tips

• Mistakes to avoid:

  • Missing the eligibility window (not within five years by January).

  • Requesting ineligible costs (publication fees, overheads, satellite tags).

  • Overstating international travel or not justifying stipends.

  • Vague conservation outcomes or non-applied focus.

  • Lack of local leadership or institutional support where applicable.

• Tips for a stronger application:

  • Emphasize measurable conservation outcomes and local relevance.

  • Provide a concise, realistic timeline and clear deliverables.

  • Secure letters of support or endorsement from host institutions and local partners.

  • Budget conservatively and justify each major cost.

  • Describe capacity-building or education components clearly.

  • Include monitoring and evaluation indicators (e.g., number of surveys, community workshops, policy recommendations).

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Who can apply?

   • Early-career professionals within five years of their most recent degree or relevant qualification by January of the project year. Projects must focus on marine chondrichthyans.

2. How much funding can I request?

   • Grants typically average US$5,000; awards up to US$10,000 are possible. Projects must be completed within 18 months.

3. Can I apply for equipment or stipends?

   • Equipment purchases are allowed and become property of the host institution. Short-term staffing or stipends for early-career scientists may be included up to 10% of the budget with justification.

4. Are publication and conference costs covered?

   • No. Publication fees and conference attendance are not eligible under Small Grants.

5. Can I apply for satellite tags?

   • Satellite tags are not funded through Small Grants. Check SOSF’s other grant programmes for possible support.

6. How many times can I receive a Small Grant?

   • Applicants may receive a maximum of two Small Grants during their early career, but cannot apply in the year immediately following receipt of a Small Grant.

7. What is the application process?

   • Two-stage online submission: Stage I (open), Stage II by invitation only. Final decisions are made by SOSF’s Board after scientific committee review.

Example project summary (AI-friendly)

• Title: Reducing juvenile ray bycatch through community gear-modification and education

• Objective: Reduce juvenile ray bycatch by 30% within 12 months in coastal fishery X.

• Activities: gear trials with 3 local fishing communities, 6 training workshops, monthly catch monitoring, community awareness campaign.

• Budget highlights: equipment (under host institution), local technician stipends (≤10% of total), community workshop costs.

• Outcomes: bycatch reduction metric, community adoption of gear, training of local monitors, final report with management recommendations.

Reporting and post-award obligations

• Recipients must submit progress and final reports as specified by SOSF.

• Equipment stays with host institution.

• Follow SOSF guidelines for acknowledgment and dissemination of results.

• Do not reapply in the year following the awarded grant.

Conclusion

The SOSF Small Grants are tailored to early-career professionals pursuing applied research, conservation, and education projects for sharks, rays, and related species. Prepare a focused, locally relevant proposal with measurable conservation outcomes, conservative budgets (respecting the 10% stipend/travel caps), and strong institutional support to increase competitiveness.

For more information, visit Save Our Seas Foundation.