Best Marine Grants in Kentucky

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant supports the recovery and care of sick or injured marine mammals through federal assistance to the U.S. National Marine Mammal Stranding and Entanglement Response Networks. Eligible applicants must provide a Prescott Letter of Eligibility, confirming their participation in the network. This program aims to enhance marine mammal health monitoring and response capabilities across the country, ensuring timely and effective interventions for stranded marine life.

The F26AS00023 FY2026 Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program offers crucial financial support for marine mammal rescue efforts. This initiative aims to assist eligible participants in the recovery and treatment of stranded marine mammals, provide emergency response to stranding events, and enhance scientific research on marine mammal health. The program prioritizes applications that effectively address species-specific needs and bolster the capacity of stranding networks, ensuring the welfare of marine wildlife under the management of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. Environmental Sciences Scholarship, established in 2020 by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, supports high school seniors from southern Beaufort County pursuing a degree in Environmental Sciences. This scholarship honors Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. and aims to assist students with outstanding achievements, a minimum GPA of 3.2, and a focus on marine sciences. The foundation has invested over $125 million to enhance the Lowcountry community.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is issuing this announcement for various research and development topic areas. The ERDC consists of the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL), the Environmental Laboratory (EL) and the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) in Vicksburg, Mississippi, the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire, the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign, Illinois, and the Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL) in Alexandria, Virginia.

The ERDC is responsible for conducting research in the broad fields of hydraulics, dredging, coastal engineering, instrumentation, oceanography, remote sensing, geotechnical engineering, earthquake engineering, soil effects, vehicle mobility, self-contained munitions, military engineering, geophysics, pavements, protective structures, aquatic plants, water quality, dredged material, treatment of hazardous waste, wetlands, physical/mechanical/ chemical properties of snow and other frozen precipitation, infrastructure and environmental issues for installations, computer science, telecommunications management, energy, facilities maintenance, materials and structures, engineering processes, environmental processes, land and heritage conservation, and ecological processes.

The Jeffrey C. & Carol A. Carrier Poster Award, established in 1999, recognizes outstanding posters presented by AES student members at the Annual Meeting. This award honors Jeff and Carol Carrier for their advocacy of student participation in the Society. To be eligible, applicants must be current AES members, enrolled students, and the first or sole authors of their studies. They must also indicate their intent to compete at the time of abstract submission.