The grant application process for projects to take place next year (2013/14) is now open. Stage 1 grant applications must be submitted by August 26th 2012.
This year, SOSF encourages researchers to apply for new projects focused upon mobulid rays and whale sharks. More information is provided below.
Unfortunately we were unable to fund many highly rated projects. Researchers who got to the final stage 2 list last year, but did not receiving funding for this grant year, and
who would like to resubmit their 2011 applications (either in the same form or only slightly amended) are invited to inform the SOSF project team of this intention. Please do so using a Stage 1 form, but make it clear in section 5 that this will be a resubmission of the application that you made last year.
Education and Public Awareness
The Foundation considers education and awareness vital to long-term success – by inspiring people to fall in love with, to respect and learn to act in a more responsible manner towards the ocean, we create the guardians of the future. We therefore welcome applications for projects in this field, and prefer those in the regions where we have research projects, working together with local communities and stakeholders.
Mantas and mobulids
The Save Our Seas Foundation welcomes stage 1 applications focusing upon projects that aim to deliver elements of the conservation, research and management recommendations in Couturier et al. 2012, or which will provide new information on poorly-known regions or populations under threat, or the threats to these species. Collaborative projects are of particular interest. For example, SOSF is potentially interested in supporting the development, consultation and dissemination of standardised sampling and monitoring methodologies to promote improved scientific collaboration and analysis. These might include methods for the development of stock assessments (particularly in data-poor situations); conservation and management recommendations for exploited populations, particularly migratory populations that may come under the scope of the Migratory Sharks MOU developed by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS); and guidelines for making non-detriment findings for species that might become listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Couturier, L.I.E., Marshall, A.D., Jaine, F.R.A., Kashiwagi, T., Pierce, S.J., Townsend, K.A., Weeks, S.J., Bennet, M.B., and Richardson, A.J. 2012. Biology, ecology and conservation of the Mobulidae. Journal of Fish Biology, 80: 1075-1119.
Whale sharks
The Save Our Seas Foundation also welcomes stage 1 applications for the funding of projects focused on whale shark research and conservation.
The Stage 1 application form is available online here. For more information, please see our funding guidelines.