OceanHub Africa supports African for-profit startups focused on preserving and restoring the health of the ocean. The 6-month acceleration program provides mentorship, services, software, fundraising support, and a network of leading ocean experts, mentors (entrepreneurs, investors, innovation experts, impact experts, scientists, lawyers, etc.), impact investors, and potential clients. Eligibility extends to for-profit start-ups operating in Africa and with a clear focus on ocean issues (e.g., climate change, pollution, or overexploitation). The application deadline is 30 June 2025. OceanHub Africa
marine/coastal
International Nature Image Festival — Biodiversity Short Films Contest
The International Nature Image Festival (FIIN) invites submissions of short films (duration 5-28 minutes) that promote biological natural heritage, natural regions, ecosystems, habitats, and species of wild fauna and flora. All formats including animations, documentaries, fiction, experimental films, and music videos are eligible. There are no regional restrictions for participation in the contest. The best short film will be awarded €4 thousand. The deadline to submit cinematographic works is 20 June 2025. Find more information
Skål International — Sustainable Tourism Awards 2025
Skål International announces the call for submission to its 2025 Sustainable Tourism Awards. The idea is to enhance visibility and get recognition of outstanding performance in terms of sustainable and responsible tourism from all over the world. Companies, NGOs, government agencies, and educational institutions worldwide are welcome to submit an entry in one of nine available categories, including ‘Countryside and Biodiversity’ and ‘Marine and Coastal’. Applications close on 31 May 2025. Find the guidelines
Swedish Institute — Scholarships for Global Professionals
The Swedish Institute (SI) provides fully-funded international scholarships for master’s studies in Sweden. The scholarship for global professionals aims to develop future global leaders who will contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and contribute to positive and sustainable development in their home countries. The scholarship is intended for full-time one-year or two-year master’s programs. SI fully covers tuition fees and makes regular payments of SEK12 thousand to cover living expenses throughout the scholarship. The application portal will close on 26 February 2025. SI Scholarships for Global Professionals
Earth Journalism Network — Story Grants Marine Environment
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers story grants to support the production of in-depth reporting on current and emerging marine issues in the Adriatic Sea, with a focus on the Western Balkans. Applications from Western Balkan countries that border the Adriatic Sea are welcome (i.e. Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania). Journalists from inland Balkan countries such as Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia are also eligible to apply if their stories can be directly tied to the Adriatic Sea. EJN expects to award up to 10 grants with a budget of up to €1,200 each. The application deadline is 27 February 2025. Details here
European Outdoor Conservation Association — Funding for Conservation Projects
The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) makes grants for field-based projects in wildlife conservation; protection of forests and wetlands; litter clean-up on trails and mountains; environmental education in local communities; and other initiatives in support of nature-based travel and tourism. Projects must benefit biodiversity in a wild landscape such as alpine meadows, forests, peatlands, freshwater habitats, salt marshes, mangroves and seagrass meadows, etc. Grants are to nonprofit organizations in amounts up to €30 thousand for projects of one to two years anywhere in the world (except North America). There are two application periods per year. EOCA will next be accepting funding applications from 01 June through 30 June 2025, for funding in autumn 2025. View this opportunity
Legacy Project — Global Youth Awards 2025
The Global Youth Awards supports youth aged 11-25 who are leading inspirational projects for social and environmental impact around the world. This includes environmental projects and innovations to restore and regenerate the global ecosystem. The winners receive an invitation to become a Global Change Ambassador for collaborations, events, mentoring, and training. Youth from all around the world can be nominated. Nominations close 14 September 2025. Link
United Nations Development Program — Equator Prize 2025
The Equator Prize 2025 recognizes innovative initiatives that showcase how action on nature, led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, can provide effective climate solutions, and demonstrate effective pathways to transform the global systems for people and Planet. Nominated projects may focus on solutions for sustainable food systems, restoration of ecosystems that help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, or protection of terrestrial or marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and wildlife. The nominated initiative must have been in existence for at least three years. Each winner will receive US$10 thousand. Nominations must be submitted by 23 February 2025. Equator Prize
United Nations — Strategic Needs Fellowship
The Strategic Needs Fellowship aims to enable the most vulnerable States, particularly least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, to better address strategically important and time-sensitive issues facing them in ocean affairs and the law of the sea. The Fellowship consists of a four-month training program at the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (USA). States are invited to nominate Government officials with limited background in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, who are filling key positions in their Administration for the position. The deadline for applications is 30 March 2025. Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship
New England Biolabs Foundation — Grants for Grassroots Conservation 2025
The New England Biolabs Foundation makes grants to grassroots and charitable organizations to support the conservation of biological diversity; ecosystem services; community food security; and marine environment. The geographical scope focuses on regions (specified on the website) in Central America; South America, and West Africa. The maximum grant size is US$10 thousand. Most grants are US$3 thousand to US$8 thousand. The deadlines for submission of LOIs are 01 May and 20 October 2025. Link