Funding guidelines

General Approach

1. The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is committed to supporting activities which have the capacity to make a real difference to the health of the oceans and to the survival of threatened aquatic species and habitats.
2. 2. With a view to achieving this aim, the Foundation has developed a policy of supporting in particular applicants working on exceptional projects, on exceptional species or habitats (we are currently seeking research projects on whale sharks and mobulid rays) and / or in exceptional locations.
3. The purpose of this policy is to support research, conservation or educational projects which are capable of attracting significant public attention, and which, as a result, may genuinely increase public and government awareness of the urgent need to protect the marine environment.
4. As part of this approach the Foundation requires all grant holders to undertake public awareness and environmental educational activities (giving talks, issuing press releases, etc.) as part of their project.
5. Foundation staff (including a press officer and photographer) are available to assist grant holders in such public relations work, and grant holders are expected to collaborate with them in preparing public awareness materials.

Funded Programmes

6. In line with the above strategy, most of the projects supported by the Foundation currently fall into one or more of three major programme areas:
   1. Conservation of Sharks and Rays – with particular emphasis on whale sharks and mobulid rays
   2. Public Awareness of Marine Conservation
   3. Environmental Education of Children and Students
7. In addition, the Foundation currently awards a smaller number of grants each year for research, conservation action or environmental education relating to other marine conservation priorities:
   1. Ocean Acidification
   2. Protected Coral Reef Areas

Size and Duration of Grants

8. Grants fall within three categories:
   1. Large grants: USD 40,000 – 50,000
   2. Standard grants: USD 25,000 – 40,000
   3. Small grants: USD 10,000 – 25,000
9. Funding is awarded for only one financial year at a time, but proposals can be set in the context of a project plan expected to extend over 2 or 3 years, or possibly longer, where a longer period is necessary to secure the anticipated conservation benefits. It is the policy of the Foundation to provide, where practicable, a degree of continuing support to projects which it is supporting; the leaders of such projects may be invited by the CEOs to complete an application for a project continuation grant in the coming year.

Financial Restrictions

10. The Foundation does NOT support the annual salaries (full-time or part-time) of researchers or of other individuals working on projects. The costs of short-term employees or the short-term extra costs of an individual’s participation in a project may however be eligible.
11. The Foundation is NOT able to pay unspecified overheads to large commercial or non-commercial organisations (such as Universities or Non-Governmental Organisations), although specified administrative and accommodation costs may be met, provided they are essential and properly accounted for.
12. Joint funding of a project by SOSF with another funding agency is welcomed, but not essential.

Grant Application Process

13. The grant application process consists of two stages. Stage 1 will involve completion of a short on-line form, equivalent to about 3 pages; stage 2 will involve completion of a longer on-line form, equivalent to about 8 pages. Stage 1 applications are reviewed by the Foundation’s Scientific Committee.
14. Stage 2 applications for grants will be reviewed by the Foundation’s CEOs and Scientific Committee. These referees will assess the quality and conservation significance of each application, but the final decision will be made by the Board of the Foundation.
15. On rare occasions small awards may be made as a matter of urgency outside this timetable. This might be, for example, where individuals of a rare species are under imminent threat, or critical conservation equipment requires repair. Individuals or organisations who believe they might have such a case may contact the CEO Michael Scholl (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) directly.

Obligations of Grant Holders

16. Grants are awarded subject to the applicant or their organisation agreeing a simple contract valid under the laws of Switzerland (the country in which the Foundation is registered).
17. Grant holders are required to report progress with their projects by completing and submitting a brief “Project Progress Form” twice: the first one in September of the year in which the grant begins (i.e. 5 months into the current financial year), and the second one in April of the following year. The detailed Final Report on the year’s project activity should be submitted no later than the following September 1st (i.e. 17 months after the start of the financial year in which the project was funded).
18. The “Summary Financial Report”, accounting for the use of the funds provided in any one financial year (April 1st to March 31st), is required by September 1st following the end of that financial year.
19. Grant holders are required to welcome Foundation staff visiting their projects (all such visits will be at the Foundation’s expense).
20. It is Foundation policy to promote, whenever possible, public awareness of marine conservation issues. Accordingly, grant holders are required to incorporate elements of public awareness into their work, and to collaborate with the Foundation in publicising their project.