Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
Applications are now open for the Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Funding Program, which supports the development and deployment of innovative ocean technologies that advance marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, habitat restoration, and ocean observation.
The program helps universities, non-profit organizations, and start-up companies transform promising marine technology solutions into real-world applications that address critical challenges facing oceans and coastal communities worldwide.
About the Program
The Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Funding Program supports innovative technologies that improve ocean health, strengthen marine conservation efforts, and enhance scientific understanding of marine ecosystems.
The initiative focuses on accelerating the development, testing, and deployment of practical solutions that can contribute to healthier oceans, sustainable fisheries, and improved marine resource management.
By investing in emerging technologies and supporting the broader marine technology ecosystem, the program aims to drive innovation and create lasting environmental impact.
Focus Areas
The program supports projects in the following areas:
Sustainable Fisheries
Projects may focus on:
- Reducing bycatch
- Reducing ghost gear impacts
- Fish population surveys
- Seafood supply-chain transparency
- Transparency at sea
- Sustainable fishing gear design
- Monitoring protected marine areas
- Fisheries enforcement technologies
- Sustainable wild-caught fisheries
Habitat Health
Projects may support:
- Marine habitat restoration
- Marine ecosystem protection
- Seaweed restoration
- Seagrass conservation
- Shellfish habitat restoration
- Coral reef restoration
- Coastal pollution monitoring
- Pollution prevention technologies
- Invasive species management
- Ecosystem health monitoring
Ocean Observing
Projects may include:
- Novel ocean sensors
- Ocean data collection technologies
- Ocean data processing systems
- Data-sharing platforms
- Marine monitoring technologies
- Restoration monitoring tools
- Research and observation innovations
Network Support
The program also supports initiatives that strengthen the marine technology ecosystem through:
- Technology incubators
- Accelerators
- Innovation competitions
- Community infrastructure
- Technology deployment initiatives
- Collaboration platforms
- Technical support services
- Regional innovation networks
Purpose of the Program
The initiative aims to:
- Advance marine conservation technologies
- Improve fisheries sustainability
- Protect and restore marine habitats
- Expand ocean observation capabilities
- Strengthen marine research efforts
- Support innovative ocean solutions
- Build marine technology networks
- Accelerate technology deployment
- Improve ocean management and conservation outcomes
Funding Available
Most grants awarded through the program range between:
- $100,000 and $400,000
Funding supports the:
- Development of new technologies
- Testing and validation activities
- Deployment of solutions
- Scaling of promising innovations
- Implementation of conservation technologies
Eligible Applicants
Eligible organizations include:
- Universities
- Non-profit organizations
- Start-up companies
Applicants should be working on:
- Marine technology innovation
- Ocean conservation solutions
- Fisheries technologies
- Habitat restoration technologies
- Ocean observation systems
- Marine research tools
Ineligible Applicants
The program does not provide funding directly to:
- Individual applicants acting independently
Individuals may participate only through:
- Universities
- Non-profit organizations
- Eligible start-up companies
Eligible Projects
Strong projects may involve:
- Innovative ocean technologies
- Conservation-focused technology solutions
- Fisheries sustainability tools
- Marine habitat restoration innovations
- Ocean monitoring systems
- Data collection and analysis technologies
- Community-support infrastructure for marine technology
- Technology deployment initiatives with measurable impact
Why This Program Matters
Healthy oceans are essential for biodiversity, food security, climate resilience, and coastal livelihoods.
This program supports technologies that can:
- Improve marine ecosystem protection
- Strengthen sustainable fisheries management
- Increase transparency across seafood supply chains
- Improve conservation decision-making
- Enhance ocean research capabilities
- Support restoration of critical marine habitats
- Accelerate adoption of innovative marine solutions
Application Tips
Strong applications typically demonstrate:
- Clear environmental impact
- Innovative technology solutions
- Practical implementation plans
- Technical feasibility
- Scalability potential
- Strong conservation outcomes
- Measurable project objectives
- Experienced project teams
- Collaboration with relevant stakeholders
Common Application Mistakes
Applications may be weakened by:
- Unclear technology applications
- Limited conservation impact
- Insufficient technical validation
- Weak implementation strategies
- Lack of measurable outcomes
- Unrealistic project timelines
- Poor stakeholder engagement
- Inadequate project budgets
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Funding Program?
- A funding initiative supporting innovative ocean technologies that advance marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, habitat restoration, and ocean observation.
How much funding is available?
- Most grants range from $100,000 to $400,000.
Who can apply?
- Universities.
- Non-profit organizations.
- Start-up companies.
Can individuals apply directly?
- No.
- Individuals must apply through an eligible university, non-profit organization, or start-up company.
What types of projects are supported?
- Fisheries sustainability technologies.
- Habitat restoration solutions.
- Ocean observation systems.
- Marine conservation technologies.
- Network-building initiatives for the marine technology sector.
Does the program support marine habitat restoration projects?
- Yes.
- Projects involving coral reefs, seagrass, seaweed, shellfish habitats, pollution mitigation, and ecosystem restoration are eligible.
Does the program support ocean data and monitoring technologies?
- Yes.
- The program supports sensors, monitoring tools, data collection systems, processing technologies, and data-sharing solutions.
Conclusion
The Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Funding Program provides grants typically ranging from $100,000 to $400,000 to support innovative ocean technologies with the potential to improve marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, habitat restoration, and ocean observation. By investing in practical and scalable solutions, the program helps organizations accelerate technological innovation and contribute to healthier, more resilient oceans worldwide.
For more information, visit Schmidt Marine Technology Partners.
