Best Marine Grants

The 11th Hour Racing Grant supports initiatives aimed at restoring ocean health through local stewardship and sustainable practices. It focuses on projects that promote ocean literacy, clean technologies, and ecosystem restoration. Grants are available for organizations addressing climate change's impact on marine environments, with an emphasis on collaboration, measurable outcomes, and replicable solutions. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and international entities, though projects must avoid political advocacy and general funding.

The Comis Foundation Grant aims to provide equitable opportunities for children to thrive through education and community engagement. It supports innovative programs that enhance educational outcomes, focusing on areas such as capacity building and pilot projects. With funding ranging from $5,000 to $75,000, the foundation prioritizes nonprofit organizations that foster inclusive environments. By emphasizing trust and collaboration, Comis Foundation strives to create lasting impacts in the communities it serves.

The CS Fund was created in 1981 by Maryanne Mott and Herman Warsh, who together endowed the Warsh-Mott Legacy in 1985. CS Fund and Warsh-Mott Legacy (CSF and WML) are private family foundations that share common program areas, staff, and boards of directors. Proposals to the two foundations are considered collectively, and grants are made by both entities. The boards of directors of CSF and WML also make recommendations to the donor-advised TOP Fund at the Marin Community Foundation.

CSF and WML’s grantmaking is forward thinking and evolves over time, yet is guided by a commitment to consistent, long-term support. Some organizations have received funding from the foundations for three decades. CSF and WML recognize the importance of general support and multi-year grants in building institutional strength and longevity and provide such support when appropriate. Project-restricted grants are also made in order to advance specific foundation objectives.

Program Areas

CSF and WML currently have three grantmaking focuses:

• Fighting False Solutions
• Food Sovereignty
• Just Transitions
• Rights and Governance

Fighting False Solutions

Stopping techno-fixes and securing precautionary assessment, regulation and oversight.

While technologies now being developed and commercialized may result in useful applications, they can also have serious negative social, environmental, economic and political impacts. 

Emerging technologies must therefore be subject to precautionary assessment, regulation and oversight – especially those that are fast tracked and marketed as “techno-fixes” or “green” panaceas to climate change and other crises, as they are often false solutions that perpetuate harmful systems.

CS Fund focuses on three emerging and converging technologies.

• Geoengineering - Intentional, large-scale climate manipulation through a range of methods, including Carbon Dioxide Removal and Solar Radiation Management.
• Synthetic Biology - The design, manufacture and release of artificially created DNA, including gene drives that force genetically engineered traits through populations for either conservation or agricultural purposes.
• Nanotechnology - The creation and commodification of tiny bits of matter (a nanometer is one billionth of a meter), especially in consumer products, which presents novel toxicity risks to human health and the environment.

Food Sovereignty

Building capacity and power in Indigenous communities, communities of color, and social movements.

Food Sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and to define their own food and agriculture systems.

Food sovereignty is deeply connected to global struggles for a more socially just and sustainable world and necessary for a just transition to a regenerative economy and food system. It is a real solution to the most critical issues facing humanity, including global food and water insecurity, climate change, and environmental degradation.

CS Fund’s grantmaking is grounded in traditional agricultural knowledge and agroecological practices, and focuses on three cornerstones of agrobiodiversity and food system resilience.

• Seeds - Preserving native and traditional seeds.
• Soils - Building healthy and fertile soils.
• Pollinators - Protecting and restoring the populations and diversity of native pollinators.

Just Transitions

Building translocal, transnational, interdependent community-level social and ecological justice.

CS Fund is inspired by movement leaders in environmental justice, worker justice, climate justice, Indigenous Sovereignty, Black Liberation and more in their collective framing of Just Transition: We launched our program at the end of 2023, with a core focus on community power building and community self-determination that transforms our current extractive, supremacist culture to one of justice, joy, belonging and liberation for all living beings. We acknowledge the many visions toward liberation that are grounded in cultures around the world, from Buen Vivir to Ubuntu to Ahimsa, and recognize that a pluralistic view of transformation is needed to build across our cultures. 

Rights & Governance

Protecting and advancing rights, democracy and equity.

The US Constitution never envisioned a multiracial democracy. In order to enact the promise of our Constitution for all people - and for the sake of our planet - we must follow the lead of movements and communities fighting for justice and equity, and help create conditions in which they can thrive.

We are especially focused on the areas of:

• Dissent – Protecting and advancing the rights to free speech and assembly.
• Open Government – Making the federal government more transparent, effective, and accountable.
• Rule of Law – Ensuring that US national security policies respect constitutional rights, domestic laws, and international treaties.
• The Constitution and the Courts – Building a progressive legal movement to counter conservative and corporate influence.

In the realm of international governance, CSF and WML have also long funded in the area of:

• Trade – Making the rules of global commerce more democratic, just, and sustainable.

Cross-Program

Addressing emerging, intersectional issues

CS Fund addresses critical, emerging issues outside of our program areas with intersectional implications for our collective work, including transition mineralsand technofascism. These issues - brought to our attention by social movement partners - bridge several sectors that are often siloed and in need of more resources to develop strategy and organizing.

Aligning Philanthropy

Advancing a model of solidarity philanthropy

Through both our own practices and through grantmaking and organizing, CS Fund seeks to instead align philanthropy in solidarity with our movement parters.

The DISCOVERY Yacht Expedition Grant Program, managed by the International SeaKeepers Society, invites marine scientists to submit research proposals for expeditions on private vessels. This initiative promotes ocean research, education, and conservation through high-impact projects. Each proposal must demonstrate scientific significance and outline participant roles. A Principal Investigator is required to secure necessary permits, ensuring a collaborative and impactful research experience at sea.

The Infrastructure Capacity for Biological Research Program, supported by the National Science Foundation, aims to enhance research capabilities across various biological disciplines. This program encourages proposals for developing and improving research tools and services in areas such as Cyberinfrastructure and Biological Collections. It also welcomes planning activities to foster collaboration among researchers. Projects must ensure broad accessibility and significant scientific outcomes for the wider research community.

The Marine Geology and Geophysics Core Program, funded by the National Science Foundation, supports innovative research in oceanic geology and geophysics. It encompasses studies on ocean basin structures, paleoclimate changes, submarine volcanology, and marine geohazards. The program aims to foster cutting-edge projects that involve fieldwork, analytical methods, and data synthesis, encouraging cross-program collaboration within NSF's Geosciences division. Proposals should seek guidance for inter-program submissions.

The Munson Foundation Grant focuses on marine resource conservation in eastern North America and the Caribbean, emphasizing sustainable practices in fisheries. With an annual budget of approximately $1.2 million, grants typically range from $10,000 to $40,000, supporting projects in South Florida and Alabama. Eligibility includes a 1:1 matching requirement and confirmation of board member contributions. The foundation prioritizes organizations dedicated to preserving vital ecosystems and addressing environmental issues.

The Ocean Drilling Grant, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), facilitates research in marine geosciences through the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). Proposals for pre- and post-expedition studies are accepted, particularly during the expedition moratorium period. This grant aims to enhance scientific understanding of climate and geological processes through innovative drilling techniques and collaborative international efforts, ensuring the scientific community has access to valuable data and research outcomes.

The Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grant, initiated by the Waitt Foundation, offers swift funding for innovative solutions to conservation challenges affecting island nations. This program prioritizes projects that support sustainable fishing and marine protection, emphasizing scientific research, policy advocacy, management, and communication efforts. ROC Grants are especially aimed at local NGOs and projects aligned with Blue Prosperity Coalition partnerships, ensuring impactful conservation initiatives with a focus on urgent needs in marine ecosystems.

The Saw Island Foundation provides Social Change, Faith-Based, and Special Grants to nonprofit organizations focused on community betterment. They support initiatives that enhance economic security and promote Christian education. While active engagement is primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, they welcome extraordinary projects aligned with their mission. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. The foundation does not fund individual grants, political activities, or lobbying efforts.

The KM Shimano Family Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the world through education, engagement, and conservation, with a particular focus on marine environments. Our initiatives include supporting organizations engaged in marine animal rescue, research, conservation, and education, as well as promoting water conservation, especially in saltwater and brackish ecosystems. Through our contributions, we aim to foster a healthier oceanic ecosystem and raise awareness about marine life challenges.

The NOAA's Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms Program aims to solicit proposals for innovative technologies and strategies to prevent and mitigate harmful algal blooms. The program focuses on testing promising control technologies and evaluating proven methods that require large-scale field testing. This initiative encourages researchers to develop solutions that can significantly reduce the impact of harmful algal blooms in marine environments, ensuring healthier coastal ecosystems.

The Marisla Foundation's Environmental Grant Program focuses on promoting biological diversity and sustainable ecosystem management. Established in 1986, it supports 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities in addressing environmental health issues caused by toxic chemicals. The program also encourages international projects through donor-advised fund partners. However, it does not fund individuals or political activities and limits applications from any one organization to one per year, with indirect costs capped at 15%.

The FY 2026 Ocean Technology Transition Program, led by the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®), aims to enhance ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observational capabilities. By investing in the transition of innovative technologies from research to operational status, IOOS seeks to address pressing challenges in data management and product development. The program targets mature technologies with demonstrated customer commitment, ensuring effective integration and long-term use in monitoring environmental conditions.

The Weeden Foundation Grant supports biodiversity conservation initiatives worldwide. It prioritizes projects that protect endangered species, restore habitats, and promote sustainable practices. The foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations or their international equivalents, focusing on areas such as bird conservation, marine wildlife protection, and systemic support for environmental policies. Applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry four weeks before the application deadline, and the foundation does not fund multi-year grants or projects outside its focus areas.

The Biological Oceanography Program, supported by the National Science Foundation, promotes essential research in biological oceanography and marine ecology across diverse environments, including estuarine and deep-sea ecosystems. Proposals should focus on population, community, or ecosystem ecology, contributing significantly to marine or Great Lakes ecosystem understanding. This program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and co-funding opportunities with various NSF divisions. For more information, visit the NSF website.

The Pacific Seabird Program RFP, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, invites proposals aimed at enhancing seabird conservation from 2022 to 2027. This initiative seeks to address the threats faced by at-risk seabird species through habitat restoration, invasive species management, and reducing bycatch in fisheries. Projects within four specific Pacific regions are eligible, focusing on long-term resilience and population recovery for these vital species.

The Bonnell Cove Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in North America focused on safety at sea and marine environmental initiatives. With a funding limit of $10,000, it prioritizes well-defined projects that can be evaluated for impact. Proposals are accepted biannually, with deadlines on February 1 and September 1 for March and October reviews, respectively. The Foundation seeks innovative solutions for personal safety equipment and environmental stewardship, emphasizing projects that promote sustainable practices in marine operations.

The Environment - Marine Focus Area Grant, offered by the Waterloo Foundation, focuses on supporting projects that mitigate the negative impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems. This grant prioritizes initiatives that aim to halt the decline of fish stocks in developing countries and promote sustainable fisheries management in Wales. Eligible applicants include UK-based charities, and the foundation encourages proposals that demonstrate measurable outcomes and sustainable practices.

The FY25 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) invites proposals for innovative science and technology projects aimed at enhancing Navy and Marine Corps operations. This announcement encourages submissions from all responsible sources, including academia, industry, and the research community. White Papers are particularly encouraged, and potential offerors are advised to consult with ONR Program Officers to understand the desirability of their submissions. All businesses, large and small, are welcome to compete for funding.

The FY 2024 - 2026 Broad Agency Announcement by NOAA aims to promote innovative research, education, and outreach projects that are not covered by competitive programs. It emphasizes collaboration across sectors to enhance ocean exploration and understanding. Funding is subject to available appropriations, and applicants should be aware that no funds have been allocated yet. The initiative seeks to protect ocean health and sustainably manage marine resources while bolstering the national economy.

The FY 2024 - 2026 Broad Agency Announcement by NOAA seeks innovative research and outreach projects that enhance marine and coastal ecosystem viability. This funding opportunity is contingent on appropriations and does not guarantee specific awards or project funding. NOAA emphasizes collaboration with federal, state, and local partners to remain adaptive in addressing climate change and providing vital weather and water services, ensuring ongoing improvement in their information and services.

The FY 2024 - 2026 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) by the National Marine Fisheries Service invites applications for special projects that align with NOAA Fisheries' strategic goals. This announcement provides essential guidelines for the public on application selection and federal assistance administration. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, emphasizing readiness and alignment with NOAA's mission to enhance marine resource management.

Pure Ocean invites innovative projects focused on marine conservation through its 2025 Call for Projects. This initiative emphasizes sustainable practices, engaging local communities, and exploring nature-based solutions. It seeks to address critical themes such as marine pollution, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem resilience amid climate change. By supporting scientific research and public awareness efforts, Pure Ocean aims to safeguard fragile marine ecosystems and inspire collaborative action for a healthier ocean.

The Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF) supports critical research and conservation projects for endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles. With funding between $1,000 to $5,000, TCF prioritizes projects addressing species listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered by the IUCN. Smaller seed grants of up to $1,000 are also available for pilot initiatives. TCF aims to foster survival and recovery of these species through targeted funding and strategic partnerships.

The Oceanographic Facilities and Equipment Support program, managed by the National Science Foundation, provides crucial funding for the procurement and enhancement of oceanographic facilities. This initiative supports shared-use platforms for research in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes environments. It facilitates technical services, instrumentation, and safety equipment, ensuring that federally funded investigators have access to advanced resources for oceanographic research. The program aims to enhance scientific productivity while promoting collaborations across various research initiatives.

The Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program aims to eliminate derelict fishing traps nationwide. Focused on collaboration, it emphasizes standardized data collection, quantifying impacts, and comprehensive data sharing. With an annual budget of up to $1,475,000, the program supports 6 to 15 projects, providing grants ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 for 18-month initiatives. This effort significantly enhances marine resource conservation by reducing bycatch mortality and removing abandoned traps.