Open Ocean Research Grant Program
Global Fishing Watch's Open Ocean Research Grant funds projects using its datasets to advance transparency, sustainability, and science-driven solutions in ocean governance and fisheries management.
Funder: Global Fishing Watch
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2026 (Letter of Intent) | August 2026 (Full proposal, invited applicants)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 (individuals) or $20,000 (groups) for 18–24 month projects; cohort-based awards.
Summary: Supports global research projects using Global Fishing Watch data to advance ocean governance, transparency, and sustainable fisheries management.
Key Information: No indirect costs/overhead allowed; all LOIs must use at least one Global Fishing Watch dataset.
Description
The Open Ocean Research Grant Program, managed by Global Fishing Watch, funds innovative research projects that leverage open, publicly available datasets on human activity at sea. The program aims to enhance ocean governance by fostering a global community of researchers, supporting projects that advance transparency, sustainability, fisheries management, and the application or development of core Global Fishing Watch technologies. The program is open to both individuals and groups, encouraging novel approaches that address real-world challenges in the marine environment and support actionable outcomes for policy, conservation, and community empowerment.
