Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant

OCEAN STORYTELLING PHOTOGRAPHY GRANT

• At the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF), we have a strong history of supporting marine conservation and education projects and believe that to truly translate knowledge into effective, meaningful change we must communicate through engaging stories.
• While we are specifically looking for photographers who can tell conservation stories about our oceans, the call is not limited to underwater photography. Applicants should think broadly – story topics can range from the animals themselves to fisheries and to the communities whose lives are intertwined with marine life.
• We are particularly seeking to support early career and emerging storytellers and aim to encourage new voices with new perspectives and photographic approaches. Applicants should therefore have no more than five years of professional experience in any photography-related discipline.
• More than two-thirds of our previous photo grant applicants were male and almost 80% came from North America and Europe. While we welcome applications from all backgrounds, in an effort to actively remedy imbalances pervasive throughout the industry we especially encourage women and applicants from South and Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, as well as from underrepresented communities, to apply for this opportunity.
• Applications will be accepted both directly via open call and through nomination.

Application window

• The opening date for the 2026 SOSF Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant is September 3Oth at 00:00 Central European Time.
• Application must be via the SOSF grant online portal: https://grants.saveourseas.com
• The closing date for the 2026 SOSF Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant is November 15th at 18:00 Central European Time. All applications must have been submitted by this date. (the review process will take between 4 and 8 weeks depending on the number of applications received.)

Application process

• The Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant application process consists of a one-stage online application. The form consists of a few questions and requires the submission of a portfolio (20 images) and a photo story (10 images).
• Only one application will be accepted per applicant or team. A team can be of any size, as long as the applicants can manage it within their budget.
• If an applicant has any other current SOSF grant, they cannot apply for a new grant.
• All applications will be reviewed by the Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant judging panel and require final approval from the Foundation’s Board of Directors
• The application form is only available in English and must be completed in English to be eligible for consideration (but non-native English speakers will not be judged on the quality of their English).
• All applications must be completed online, and deadlines as indicated must be respected.
• If successful, the SOSF Grant agreement between the Foundation and the applicant must be sent back by the deadline. This agreement cannot be modified.

Please read the funding guidelines carefully.

You still have a question? Please write to communications@saveourseas.com