Deadline: 19-May-2026
Expertise France is offering €1.6 million in funding to support innovative solutions addressing sargassum influx challenges in the Caribbean. Grants range from €150,000 to €600,000 for private sector and civil society projects, and up to ~€380,000 for research initiatives. The program focuses on sustainable value chains, circular economy models, and scientific research to mitigate environmental, economic, and public health impacts.
Overview of the Programme
This funding call by Expertise France aims to tackle the growing issue of sargassum seaweed influxes in the Caribbean.
Sargassum accumulation has significant impacts on coastal ecosystems, tourism, fisheries, and public health. The programme supports innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions to manage and utilize sargassum effectively.
Core Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Develop sustainable sargassum value chains
- Promote circular economy business models
- Support climate-resilient and low-carbon solutions
- Improve understanding of environmental and health impacts
- Strengthen collaboration between private sector and research communities
- Encourage inclusive and gender-responsive innovation
Key Focus Areas
Priority areas include:
- Sargassum collection, processing, and valorisation
- Waste-to-value and circular economy solutions
- Climate-smart and low-carbon innovations
- Public health and environmental impact research
- Biodiversity and coastal ecosystem protection
- Participatory science and knowledge sharing
Funding Details
The programme offers:
- Total funding: €1,600,000
For private sector & civil society projects:
- €150,000 to €600,000 per project
- Feasibility studies: €150,000–€300,000
- Pilot and scale-up projects: up to €600,000
For research projects:
- €150,000 to ~€380,000 per project
Projects must demonstrate strong impact and scalability.
Eligible Regions
Projects must be implemented in:
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Belize
- Dominican Republic
Project Duration
- Minimum: 12 months
- Maximum: 18 months
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be legally registered entities
- Be directly responsible for project design and implementation
- Apply individually or with partners (no intermediaries allowed)
Eligible applicants include:
For private sector & civil society projects:
- Companies
- NGOs and associations
- Organizations capable of implementing value chain initiatives
For research projects:
- Universities and research centres
- Laboratories
- Scientists (in partnership with institutions)
What the Programme Supports
The programme supports:
- Feasibility studies for sargassum solutions
- Technology development and innovation
- Pilot and scale-up business models
- Scientific research on environmental and health impacts
- Knowledge production and dissemination
- Multi-stakeholder collaboration
What is Not Supported
The programme does NOT support:
- Intermediary or pass-through organizations
- Projects outside eligible regions
- Non-innovative or non-scalable solutions
- Projects without environmental or social impact
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Identify project category (business/value chain or research)
- Develop a solution addressing sargassum challenges
- Ensure alignment with circular economy and sustainability goals
- Build partnerships (if needed)
- Prepare technical and financial proposal
- Submit application to Expertise France
- Undergo evaluation based on impact, innovation, and feasibility
- Implement project within 12–18 months if selected
Why It Matters
This programme is critical because:
- Sargassum influx is a major environmental and economic challenge in the Caribbean
- It affects tourism, fisheries, and coastal livelihoods
- Sustainable solutions can turn waste into economic opportunity
- Research improves understanding of health and ecological risks
- It promotes climate resilience and circular economy transition
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lack of clear innovation or scalability
- Weak environmental or social impact justification
- Applying as an intermediary instead of implementer
- Poor alignment with circular economy principles
- Insufficient technical or financial planning
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define how your solution adds value to sargassum
- Demonstrate economic viability and scalability
- Include measurable environmental and social outcomes
- Build strong partnerships (especially for research projects)
- Align with climate and circular economy goals
FAQ
What is this Expertise France programme about?
It funds innovative solutions to manage and utilize sargassum in the Caribbean.
How much funding is available?
Total funding is €1.6 million, with project grants ranging from €150,000 to €600,000.
Who can apply?
Private companies, NGOs, research institutions, and scientists (with institutional partnerships).
What types of projects are funded?
Value chain initiatives, feasibility studies, pilot projects, and research on environmental and health impacts.
Where must projects be implemented?
In selected Caribbean countries and territories.
How long can projects last?
Between 12 and 18 months.
Are partnerships required?
Not mandatory, but encouraged for stronger proposals.
Conclusion
The Expertise France sargassum funding call is a major opportunity to address one of the Caribbean’s most pressing environmental challenges. By supporting innovation, research, and sustainable business models, it enables stakeholders to transform sargassum from a crisis into an economic and ecological opportunity.
For more information, visit Expertise France.