Applications Invited for Ocean Solutions Microgrants Program 2021

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About the Organization:

Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, staffed by a global dream team and led by our Founder and CEO, Daniela Fernandez, a 2019’s Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient and member of the World Economic Forum Friends of Ocean Action. SOA develops leaders, cultivates ideas, and accelerates solutions to the ocean’s greatest challenges. Our programs are aligned with the targets of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 to conserve the ocean and sustainably use marine resources.

Ocean Solutions Microgrants

The Ocean Solutions Microgrants program supports young ocean leaders (18-35 years old) and their grassroots efforts to address critical ocean health problems. We award grants across a range of ocean issues, as long as projects involve direct action rooted in science or research, and include an element of community engagement. This might be policy advocacy, public-facing knowledge sharing, or amplifying youth voices, for example.

Microgrants are a springboard for diverse projects to broaden their impact: it might be a social enterprise, or an activation to increase ocean literacy through education, art or research—or perhaps it's an initiative that restores marine ecosystems through kelp reforestation or coral transplantation.

What kind of Projects gets funded?

• They evaluate projects based on their alignment with their mission, the degree of their impact (taking into account the scientific soundness) and their sustainability in consideration to their feasibility, replicability, community mapping/engagement, and budget.
• They want to support projects that are going to ‘live on’, either through sustained community engagement, or by creating a vehicle for the project to be implemented elsewhere/again.
• That is why they require that all applicants become Ocean Leaders; so that SOA and their network of Hubs, Mentors, and Regional Representatives can help ensure a project’s sustainability.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The project leader who completes the application must be between 18-35 at the time of submitting the application.
• The applicant must be proficient in English in order to clearly articulate their project in the application and to understand and complete the reporting requirements.
• The majority of key activities, as proposed, must take place in 2021.
• All local Covid-19 guidelines must be followed and, to the degree possible, anticipated in the project budget and activities.
• The primary project objective must have a clear and demonstrable connection to improving ocean health and sustainability.
• Anyone under 35 with an idea or current project benefitting ocean health can apply. You don’t have to be an Ocean Leader or Hub member to apply, but if selected you will need to complete the Ocean Leader onboarding course.

Selection Criteria:

• Select grantees will be invited to attend the Ocean Leadership Deep Dive: Community Leadership, a virtual training taking place in October 2021, to broaden your leadership skillset and amplify your impact through further project funding.
• All grantees will have the opportunity to receive 1:1 mentorship and access to the educational resources of their network.

Funding:

• Grants range from $500 to $2,000 USD.
• Grants are typically disbursed in two installments.
• Grants are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis; the sooner an application is received the sooner it will be funded. All grants will be awarded by mid-June.

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