Deadline: November 15, 2023
Submit projects for the Pure Ocean Challenges 2024. Pure Ocean is an international endowment fund created in 2017 by the French entrepreneur David Sussmann. Based in Marseille and Lorient, France, Pure Ocean’s main mission is to support innovative applied research projects around the world, thus contributing to the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
The four major themes for the contest are:
- Understanding marine pollution and combating its origins.
- Protecting biodiversity and restoring degraded marine ecosystems.
- Strengthening the resilience of marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them in the face of climate change.
- Improving our knowledge of the ocean system.
Grant
- Selected projects will receive up to €40,000/year (average €25,000/year), for a duration of one to two years, at the discretion of the Scientific Committee. A two-year project can therefore receive a maximum of 80,000 euros, and support for certain projects can be renewed.
Eligibility
- The project must respond to one or more Pure Ocean Challenges.
- They seek out and support projects all over the world.
- There is no age limit, but candidates in the early stages of their career are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Only non-profit organizations (NGOs, universities, research institutes) can apply and receive funding. The project can however include a collaboration with organizations from the private sector (companies, startups, etc.)
- Applicants must clearly outline their co-financing opportunities in their budget, as well as a minimum operating budget in the event that Pure Ocean is unable to grant the full amount requested.
This year, special attention will be given to :
- focusing on pressures on the Mediterranean Sea
- targeting polar ecosystems
- responding to the issues related of plastic pollution
- proposing “nature-based solutions” through the protection of marine habitats (blue carbon, food security, etc.).
Projects that do not correspond to these descriptions but meet the eligibility criteria will of course be accepted.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated according to one main criterion: impact i.e. the tangible and lasting benefit provided by the project’s implementation in the context of one or more of the Pure Ocean Challenges.
Indicators used to assess the impact of a project:
- The project proposes an innovative approach (technological, social, nature-based or exploratory innovation)
- The project specifically targets one or more Pure Ocean Challenges
- The specific objectives of the project and the means to achieve them are clearly defined and achievable.
- The project involves the active participation and collaboration of several players and encourages inter/transdisciplinarity.
- The project includes a plan for disseminating the results, adapted to the various target audiences, as well as the actions required to engage them.
Application
For more information, visit Pure Ocean Challenges.
