Saving our seas through the next generation

Our Small Grant applications are Open!

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is dedicated to the conservation of our oceans, with a particular focus on securing a sustainable future for sharks and rays. Predators like sharks play a crucial role in healthy marine ecosystems, and the oceans are our life support – we rely on them for food, livelihoods and a stable climate. But their role is heavily jeopardised by overfishing, habitat loss, pollution and climate change. For example, it has recently been reported that since 1970 the numbers of oceanic sharks and rays has fallen by over 70%.

We are here to help. For almost 20 years, SOSF has supported marine research and education projects around the world that specifically seek to tackle threats faced by sharks and rays. To date, we have supported almost 400 projects in more than 80 countries around the world, and are now looking for new applicants to our Small Grant programme for projects that will take place in 2022.

Oceanic whitetip sharks have seen some of the most drastic declines in population. Photo by © Chris Vaughan Jones

The Small Grants are specifically dedicated to supporting early-career scientists, conservationists and educators with original and innovative projects. It represents a unique opportunity for these early-career professionals to make their first mark in the realm of marine conservation and is designed to provide funding for short-term projects (running for 12 to 18 months) that target a clearly defined question or conservation issue. More about previous successful applications can be found here.

The Small Grant application process consists of a two-stage online application: Stage 1 involves completing a very short online form of only a few pages. Stage 1 applications are open from now until 18:00 CET 30th June 2021 and involves completing a very short online form of only a few pages. Stage 2, by invitation only based on the Stage 1 application, will involve the completion of a longer and more detailed form.

Visit our website for more information and funding guidelines, and to apply visit the online application portal here.