Keystone Grants

The Keystone Grants program is administered by the Save Our Seas Foundation, an international private foundation dedicated to the conservation of marine ecosystems. The foundation focuses its efforts on protecting threatened marine wildlife, particularly chondrichthyan species such as sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, and chimaeras. Through its grantmaking, the organization supports projects that contribute to research, conservation, and education initiatives aimed at improving ocean health and increasing awareness of marine biodiversity challenges. The foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate strong scientific merit and a clear pathway to real-world conservation impact. The purpose of the Keystone Grants program is to fund high-impact projects that address urgent conservation needs related to marine megafauna. Projects must directly involve chondrichthyan species and align with one or more of the foundation’s primary programmatic areas: research, conservation, or education. The foundation emphasizes work that not only generates scientific knowledge but also translates findings into practical conservation outcomes and public awareness. Grant recipients are expected to actively communicate their findings and engage in outreach activities such as public presentations and educational initiatives. Funding under the Keystone Grants program is typically awarded on a multi-year basis, with projects generally lasting up to three years. Grants average approximately 25,000 USD per year, and funds are allocated annually with the possibility of continued funding contingent on satisfactory progress. While co-funding with other organizations is encouraged, it is not required. The foundation imposes several financial restrictions, including limits on international travel expenses and prohibitions on overhead or administrative fees for institutions. Equipment purchased through the grant remains the property of the host organization, and certain costs such as conference attendance and publication fees are not supported under standard funding. Eligibility for the Keystone Grants program is limited to applicants proposing projects focused on eligible marine species. Only one application per applicant is permitted, and individuals currently holding an active Keystone Grant are not eligible to apply for a new grant during the same funding cycle. Applications must be submitted in English and completed through the foundation’s online system. The program supports a wide range of applicants globally, provided that their projects meet the scientific and conservation criteria established by the foundation. The application process consists of two stages. In Stage I, applicants submit a short online form equivalent to approximately four to six pages. Based on the evaluation of these initial submissions, selected applicants are invited to proceed to Stage II, which involves a more detailed proposal of approximately ten to twelve pages. All applications are reviewed by the foundation’s scientific committee, and external experts may be consulted during the evaluation process. Final funding decisions are made by the foundation’s Board of Directors. The application window for the Keystone Grants program occurs biennially in even-numbered years. For the current cycle, Stage I applications are open and were scheduled to close on May 13. Applicants invited to Stage II were expected to submit their full proposals in June following the initial review phase. Successful applicants enter into a grant agreement with the foundation, which must be signed and returned by the specified deadline. The foundation also offers the possibility of continuation funding for existing projects, subject to evaluation and invitation. Overall, the Keystone Grants program represents a structured and competitive funding opportunity aimed at advancing marine conservation through targeted support of scientifically rigorous and impactful projects. By combining financial support with expectations for outreach and measurable outcomes, the foundation seeks to foster projects that contribute meaningfully to the protection of ocean ecosystems and the species that depend on them.

Focus on projects with clear conservation impact and real world application; demonstrate strong scientific merit; include public engagement and communication plans