Best Marine Grants in Kentucky

Organizations conducting marine debris and trap-removal projects can apply for funding to remove derelict fishing traps and reduce bycatch impacts in Kentucky and other eligible U.S. jurisdictions. Focused on marine conservation, Virginia Institute of Marine Science invites applicants to support habitat restoration, data collection, and prevention of harmful effects through the Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program, with awards from US $50,000 - US $200,000.

Women divers studying marine journalism or media arts in the U.S. or Canada can receive scholarship support to advance ocean conservation storytelling; awards US $1,500 for tuition, workshops, or internships. Focused on marine and ocean conservation, Women Divers Hall of Fame invites Kentucky ocean-minded content creators to apply.

Kentucky recent college graduates from historically marginalized groups interested in marine biology, ocean conservation, or clean energy careers can access funding through the Environmental Leadership Program’s RAY Fellowship. This two-year, full-time paid fellowship places Fellows with host organizations across the U.S. and includes a US $1,000 professional development stipend and extensive mentoring and networking support.

Marine biology, oceanography, and marine conservation researchers worldwide, including those in Kentucky, can receive up to US $20,000 for projects using Global Fishing Watch data to study human activity at sea. Focused on open-ocean governance, Global Fishing Watch invites individuals and small research teams to improve core technologies and apply them to ocean governance research.

Organizations and IEEE members planning marine or ocean engineering STEM outreach can seek funding for programs with ocean protection, renewable ocean energy, or coral reef themes, including work in Kentucky. Grants from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers support pre-university STEM education projects with an ocean-focused component, offering up to US $5,000 in multiple awards.

Kentucky graduate students in accredited U.S. programs focused on ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes resources can access funding through Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for the Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. This one-year, paid Washington, D.C. placement offers early-career professionals experience in coastal, marine, and Great Lakes science and policy within federal executive or legislative offices.

Kentucky undergraduate students interested in marine, coastal, or estuarine systems can access funding through New Hampshire Sea Grant for a 10-week summer marine extension fellowship. The Doyle Undergraduate Fellowship offers up to US $5,000 for hands-on projects in areas like fisheries, aquaculture, coastal conservation, and marine communications, plus mentoring and professional development.

Graduate students conducting marine conservation thesis research at North American universities can receive US $15,000 to support ongoing research costs. American Fisheries Society provides Kentucky marine biology and ocean conservation students with fellowship funding for M.S. or Ph.D. work, as long as they are AFS members in good standing at the time of application.

Students pursuing natural resource and marine-related fields in Kentucky can receive scholarship support for full-time study at accredited two- or four-year colleges. With a mission to support higher education in environmental and marine sciences, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois provides aid for majors such as marine biology, ecology, hydrology, and related conservation disciplines.

Graduate students interested in marine biology and marine conservation in Kentucky and nationwide can receive a one-year paid policy fellowship in Washington, D.C., working on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues. Wisconsin Sea Grant’s John A. Knauss Fellowship places selected students with federal legislative or executive branch hosts to gain national marine policy experience.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on nationally significant wildlife and marine conservation, including whales, pollinators, birds, and related habitats, may be eligible for Park Foundation’s animal welfare grants. Projects in Kentucky focused on policy, advocacy, indigenous wildlife management, or sanctuaries that advance systemic protection of threatened species could receive support.

Graduate students researching drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive US $3,000 to advance actionable studies with practical outcomes for the water industry. Focused on water-related environmental challenges, American Water Works Association invites students, including those in Kentucky, whose work may intersect with marine, freshwater, or broader aquatic systems.

Kentucky organizations conducting marine, coastal, climate, or ocean conservation research and education can access funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for innovative projects and outreach. This broad agency announcement supports work in atmospheric sciences, climatology, marine and coastal conservation, and climate resilience across the U.S., contingent on future federal appropriations.

Doctoral candidates who are Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship alumni in eligible humanities, social science, or physical science fields can receive up to US $30,000 to spend a year finishing their dissertation writing. Grants from Institute for Citizens & Scholars are available to MMUF scholars in the U.S., including those researching marine biology or oceanography.

Agencies, municipalities, NGOs, and angling groups in Kentucky managing small urban fishing lakes can apply for Friends of Reservoirs’ TryMarine Grant to pilot water quality treatment technologies. This initiative supports 1–3 acre public fishing lakes with nutrient-related impairments, improving fish habitat, water clarity, and dissolved oxygen while strengthening community-based fisheries management.

Cattaraugus County Trappers Memorial Scholarship

Created by the Cattaraugus County Trappers Association, this scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school student who plans to pursue a degree in Natural Resources Conservation, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forest Management or similar area of study at a 2- or 4-year college. Financial need will be considered. Applicants must include list of outdoors sports in which they participate, a statement on importance of the role of sportsmen in conservation and management of fish and wildlife and natural resources, and information on career path in their goal statement.

Environmental and conservation nonprofits in Kentucky can seek project funding to advance marine and freshwater conservation, climate and energy, toxics and waste reduction, and clean water initiatives. The Roy A. Hunt Foundation provides U.S. organizations with US $25,000 - US $75,000 for multi-state or national projects, including management, outreach, applied research, and policy-oriented innovations.

U.S. nonprofit organizations working on land, freshwater, or marine conservation and climate resilience, including projects benefiting Kentucky, can apply for Doris Duke Foundation’s Environment Program grants, awarding US $100,000 - US $1,000,000 for large-scale initiatives. Funding supports habitat protection and restoration, natural climate solutions, and inclusive, equity-focused conservation efforts, including work with coastal and marine ecosystems.

Fisheries and related organizations using electronic monitoring and reporting technologies can seek US $200,000 - US $500,000 to modernize data collection and management in U.S. fisheries. Focused on fisheries data systems, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation invites Kentucky marine and conservation groups to propose projects that enhance data quality, access, and stakeholder participation.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026, funded by NOAA, aims to enhance research and education by supporting land acquisition and construction projects. With approximately $8.5 million available, the program prioritizes strategic expansions of Reserve boundaries and facility enhancements, ensuring sustainable design standards. Funding will support 5-20 projects over 12-36 months, with potential extensions for complex projects, contingent on available funds and negotiations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North America working on marine safety, boating, or ocean conservation projects can receive up to US $10,000 for well-defined, discrete initiatives. Bonnell Cove Foundation favors smaller-budget groups and project-specific funding, which may benefit Kentucky organizations focused on marine conservation, research, education, or small-boat environmental impacts.

The DARRP Restoration Implementation Grants aim to enhance marine and coastal habitat restoration through collaboration between NOAA and non-federal partners. These grants address oil spills and hazardous substance releases by supporting restoration activities authorized under various environmental laws. Eligible applicants will implement projects that promote sustainable fisheries, recover endangered species, and boost local economies. Through careful planning and evaluation, recipients will contribute to effective restoration strategies that align with NOAA's mission and the needs of coastal communities.

The Lubrizol Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations that align with community investment priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on quality education, health, and sustainable communities. Established in 1952, the foundation emphasizes support for initiatives in Cleveland, Ohio, and Houston, Texas. Grant applications are evaluated based on alignment with Lubrizol's investment pillars, with a commitment to fostering social impact and community well-being through financial support.

The Robert L. Johnson Memorial Research Grant, offered by the Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society, supports graduate students in aquatic plant management with grants of up to $10,000. This initiative promotes research that advances the management of aquatic ecosystems and fosters educational opportunities. Recipients are required to present their findings at the annual conference, contributing to the society's mission of sustainable aquatic resource management and ecological preservation.

The ROSES 2025: A.17 Hydrosphere program by NASA aims to enhance our understanding of Earth's water systems, focusing on Ocean Physics, Precipitation Science, and Terrestrial Hydrology. This initiative invites proposals targeting specific priorities within these disciplines to advance knowledge on water distribution and movement across the Earth. Proposals will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure transparency and scientific integrity, aligning with NASA's commitment to reproducible and collaborative research.

The ROSES 2025: A.16 Cryosphere program by NASA focuses on the vital role of Earth's ice within the global climate system. It aims to enhance understanding of cryospheric processes through satellite and airborne observations, addressing the challenges posed by the remoteness of icy regions. The program supports research on Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, glaciers, and Arctic sea ice to monitor changes and their impacts on sea level rise, ocean biology, and climate feedback mechanisms.

The SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program aims to enhance science-based fisheries management for Atlantic bluefin tuna by improving knowledge of their fisheries, biology, and population dynamics. This initiative encourages collaborations with ICCAT and its partners to support multi-year research efforts focused on the movement and mixing of eastern and western Atlantic bluefin populations, ultimately contributing to better management practices for sustainable fisheries.