CFAs: Our Shared Ocean – Mobility and Travel Grants 2026

The Marine Institute Mobility and Travel Grants support researchers, students, and marine science professionals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to participate in conferences, workshops, training courses, and research visits. The programme promotes marine research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and scientific capacity development through international cooperation.

Eligible applicants can receive funding support ranging from €500 to €6,000 for travel, training, research visits, and participation in marine science activities.

Overview of the Marine Institute Mobility and Travel Grants

The Marine Institute Mobility and Travel Grants Programme provides financial support for marine researchers and professionals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to participate in international scientific activities.

The programme aims to strengthen marine research capacity by supporting:

Knowledge exchange
Scientific collaboration
Research networking
Training opportunities
International marine partnerships

The initiative aligns with Ireland’s international development strategy and the outcomes of the Our Ocean Wealth Summit, supporting long-term cooperation in marine science, research, and policy engagement.

Objectives of the Programme

The main objective of the grant programme is to strengthen marine research capacity and promote collaboration between Ireland and Small Island Developing States.

The programme aims to:

Support participation in marine research events
Increase access to scientific knowledge and training
Build international research networks
Encourage collaboration between researchers and institutions
Strengthen marine science capacity in SIDS
Promote knowledge sharing in ocean research and management

Supported Activities

The programme provides funding across three main categories.

Research Conferences and Workshops

Funding supports participation in marine science conferences and workshops.

Eligible activities may include:

Presenting research findings
Participating in scientific discussions
Networking with marine researchers
Sharing knowledge and research outcomes

Funding available:

Minimum grant support: €500
Maximum grant support: €2,000

Training Courses

The programme supports participation in marine-related training programmes.

Supported activities may include:

Technical training courses
Scientific skills development
Research methodology training
Capacity-building programmes

Funding available:

Minimum grant support: €500
Maximum grant support: €2,000

Research Visits

The programme supports short-term research visits lasting up to one month.

Research visits may include:

Laboratory visits
Collaboration with research institutions
Research exchanges
Technical knowledge transfer

Funding available:

Up to €6,000

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include individuals and representatives from eligible Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Applicants may include:

Undergraduate students
Postgraduate students
Early-stage postdoctoral researchers
Research assistants
Representatives from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Representatives from relevant organizations
Irish researchers collaborating with SIDS institutions

Early-Career Researcher Eligibility

Early-stage postdoctoral researchers must:

Have completed their PhD within the previous six years

Applicants must demonstrate involvement in:

Marine research
Ocean science
Related scientific fields

Institutional Requirements

Applicants must:

Be affiliated with an academic institution, research organization, SME, or relevant organization
Provide supporting documentation from their institution

Required supporting documents may include:

Supervisor letter
Host institution confirmation
Other relevant approval documents

Application Restrictions

Applicants should note:

Individuals can receive a maximum of two awards per calendar year
Organizations can submit a maximum of three applications per event
Applications must be submitted at least one month before the planned activity
Grants are paid only to organizations, not directly to individuals

Eligible SIDS Participation

The programme focuses on applicants from eligible Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The initiative supports marine science collaboration between:

SIDS researchers
International research institutions
Irish marine science organizations

Funding Details

Grant Amounts

Funding depends on the activity type:

Conferences and workshops: €500–€2,000
Training courses: €500–€2,000
Research visits: Up to €6,000

Eligible Expenses

Funding may support:

Travel Costs

Eligible expenses include:

Return flights
Local transportation
Travel-related costs

Accommodation Costs

Funding may cover:

Accommodation expenses during approved activities

Participation Costs

Eligible costs include:

Conference registration fees
Training course fees

Additional Costs

Funding may also support:

Visa fees
Vaccination fees
Other approved travel-related expenses

Payment Process

Grant payments are provided in two instalments:

First Payment

50% of the awarded grant is paid after signing the award letter

Final Payment

Remaining 50% is paid after completion of the activity
Applicants must submit required reports and receipts

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants must provide:

Activity report
Financial documentation
Receipts for eligible expenses

All claims must:

Include detailed supporting documents
Be submitted within one month after completion of the activity

Application Timeline

The programme operates on a rolling application basis.

Applicants can apply throughout 2026 according to available deadlines.

Funding decisions depend on:

Annual budget availability
Application quality
Available programme resources

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should check that they:

Are from an eligible SIDS country or collaborating institution
Meet applicant category requirements
Have relevant marine research involvement

Step 2: Select Activity Type

Applicants should identify whether they are applying for:

Conference or workshop participation
Training course participation
Research visit support

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents

Applicants should collect:

Institutional affiliation proof
Supervisor or host confirmation letters
Activity details
Budget information

Step 4: Prepare Application Details

Applications should include:

Purpose of participation
Expected learning outcomes
Research relevance
Benefits to marine science capacity

Step 5: Submit Application

Applications must be submitted:

At least one month before the planned activity
According to Marine Institute application requirements

Selection Process

Applications are assessed based on:

Relevance to marine science
Contribution to capacity building
Research or training value
Knowledge-sharing potential
Alignment with programme objectives

Applicants are generally informed of outcomes within:

15 working days after the relevant deadline

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

Clearly explain the importance of the activity
Show how participation supports marine research goals
Highlight knowledge-sharing benefits
Provide realistic budgets
Submit applications early
Include complete supporting documentation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying less than one month before the activity
Submitting incomplete documents
Requesting unsupported expenses
Failing to explain research relevance
Missing reporting deadlines

Expected Impact of the Programme

Funded activities are expected to contribute to:

Stronger marine research capacity
Increased international collaboration
Improved scientific skills
Greater knowledge exchange
Stronger ocean research networks
Long-term cooperation between SIDS and international partners

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the Marine Institute Mobility and Travel Grants?

These grants provide financial support for marine researchers and students from Small Island Developing States to attend conferences, training courses, workshops, and research visits.

Who can apply for the grants?

Eligible applicants include students, early-career researchers, research assistants, SME representatives, organizations from eligible SIDS, and Irish researchers collaborating with SIDS institutions.

How much funding can applicants receive?

Funding ranges from €500 to €6,000 depending on the type of activity.

What activities are supported?

The programme supports marine research conferences, workshops, training courses, and research visits of up to one month.

Can individuals receive payments directly?

No. Grant payments are made only to the applicant’s organization.

How early should applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted at least one month before the planned activity.

When are applicants informed about decisions?

Applicants are usually notified within 15 working days after the relevant application deadline.

Conclusion

The Marine Institute Mobility and Travel Grants provide important opportunities for marine researchers and professionals from Small Island Developing States to strengthen scientific skills, build partnerships, and participate in international ocean research activities.

By supporting travel, training, and research exchanges, the programme contributes to stronger marine science capacity, improved knowledge sharing, and long-term global cooperation in ocean research and sustainability.