Keystone Grants

Next application window (online form):

Stage I: from early April to end of June 2020
Stage II: August 2020

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is committed to protecting our oceans by funding and supporting research, conservation and education projects worldwide, focusing primarily on charismatic threatened wildlife and their habitats. Only projects concerned with marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes and chimaeras) will be considered.

A special call for 2020 applications is aimed at supporting projects that promote the recovery of sawfishes, wedgefish and guitarfish. However, any chondrichthyan projects are welcomed.

The funding cycle is biennial, with the grant application window opening in even years (2020, 2022, 2024 etc.), and the grant covering the period from March 2021 to June 2022, for example. Funds are allocated on an annual basis, with the option to apply for continued funding every year. The usual project duration is limited to three years. Grants average 25,000 USD per annum.

Application process

1. The Keystone Grant application process consists of a two-stage online application: Stage I involves completing a short online form, equivalent to 4-6 pages. Stage II, by invitation only based on the Stage I application, will involve the completion of a longer and more detailed online form, equivalent to 10-12 pages.
2. It is the policy of the SOSF to provide, where practicable, a degree of continuing support to the projects it is funding; the leaders of such projects may be invited by the SOSF to complete an application for a continuation grant in the coming year.
3. Only one application will be accepted from any one applicant.
4. If a project leader has an SOSF Keystone Grant, he/she cannot apply for a new grant.
5. All applications will be reviewed by the SOSF scientific committee and require final approval from the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Please read the funding guidelines carefully.

Application questions [PDF]
Application guidelines [PDF]