The Science Without Borders (SWB) Challenge is an international student art competition. The theme for this year’s challenge is “Marine Keystone Species.” Students are asked to use their artistic talents to create a piece of art featuring a keystone species that lives in the ocean, highlighting this creature’s vital role in its marine ecosystem. The SWB Challenge is open to primary and secondary school students (aged 11-19 years) from all around the world. The winners will receive scholarships of up to US$500. The deadline is 03 March 2025. Science Without Borders Challenge
Category: Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife
The Lighthouse Foundation promotes science and research, teaching, culture, and the principles of environmentalism and international development in relation to the world’s seas and oceans. Funded partners of the Lighthouse Foundation are conservation NGOs, community NGOs, universities and educational organizations, and government organizations. There is no application form. Link
The U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) requests proposals that seek to improve the recovery and conservation of sea turtle populations. The majority of projects will take place in the Western Hemisphere: leatherbacks and loggerheads in the Northwest Atlantic, and leatherbacks and hawksbills in the Eastern Pacific. In 2025, the NFWF Sea Turtles Program will also award support to permitted U.S. organizations in providing sea turtle stranding response and/or rehabilitation in the United States and U.S. Territories. The RFP will award up to US$1.5 million, however, the majority of awards will fall in the range of US$50 thousand to US$300 thousand. A minimum of a 1:1 match of cash and/or in-kind services is required. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, government agencies, Indian tribes, educational institutions, businesses, and individuals. The deadline for pre-proposals is 10 September 2024. NFWF’s Sea Turtles Program
The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) seeks applications for projects that promote and apply practical circular economy principles to minimize or prevent waste from entering the marine environment. Grant funding amounts range from US$400 thousand to US$2 million and need to be complemented by co-financing. Eligible countries are Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Applications can be submitted until 20 September 2024. Details here
The Smithsonian launches two new in-residence fellowship programs: the Smithsonian Climate Change Fellowship and the Smithsonian Environmental Justice Fellowship. Each program will support a cohort of 2-5 fellows who will receive a stipend to conduct independent research that utilizes Smithsonian resources (e.g., data, facilities, expertise). Applicants must have a Ph.D. by the time the fellowship begins and propose to conduct research in residence for a period of no less than 12 months and no more than 24 months. Candidates will receive a stipend of US$62 thousand per year, plus a research allowance of up to US$5 thousand. The application deadline is 05 October 2024. Link to guidelines
The Royal Entomological Society Insect Photography competition is open to all amateur photographers. Photographs entered for the Competition should feature an insect (or group of insects) occurring naturally in the situation in which it is photographed. The subject can be of any life stage, from egg through nymph, larva, or pupa to adult, and can be an insect from anywhere in the world. Prizes range from £250 to £750. The closing date for submission of photos is 31 October 2024. Insect Photography Competition
The Crowder-Messersmith Conservation Fund makes grants for local conservation projects in developing countries. The grants are intended as seed money for communities and individuals. Preference is given to projects that will benefit human, plant, and animal communities of a particular habitat in an ecologically sustainable manner. Grants are a maximum of US$3 thousand for one year. The deadline for applications is 06 January 2025. Information
The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust makes grants to small UK-registered charities in support of animal protection, animal welfare, and the conservation of wildlife. The Trust only supports UK charities but funds can be used for animal protection projects abroad. The maximum funding given in the past was £35 thousand. The Trust has three annual deadlines: 10 January, 01 May, and 01 September 2025. Click here for details
The International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA) provides financial support for non-profit organization projects which focus on conservation-oriented issues that serve marine mammal science through training, public display, research, husbandry, conservation, and education. Grants of up to US$5 thousand are for projects of one year. The Principal Investigator or co-PI must be a member of IMATA. The association accepts proposals all year. IMATA Conservation Fund Nomination
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) supports the production of in-depth stories covering current and emerging marine issues in the Mediterranean. EJN offers up to 10 story grants with a budget of up to €1,000 each for this round of story grants to support reporting on illegal fishing and the biodiversity crisis in the Mediterranean region, as well as solutions to marine issues. Applicants can be from any country that borders the Mediterranean Sea. Countries include Algeria; Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Cyprus; Egypt; France; Gibraltar (British Overseas Territory); Greece; Italy; Israel; Lebanon; Libya; Malta; Monaco; Montenegro; Morocco; Palestine; Slovenia; Spain; Syria; Tunisia; Türkiye. Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with professional reporting experience. The application deadline is 19 August 2024. Link