About the opportunity
The Commonwealth Blue Charter Incubator provides catalytic grants to support country-led projects that help Commonwealth countries tackle pressing ocean challenges while advancing national priorities. Launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June 2022, the Incubator supports nationally owned ocean action and encourages partnerships between governments and NGOs, academic and research institutions, community organisations, and the private sector. Round II expands the scope to an expected 10 to 15 projects, featuring dedicated funding windows supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean for South Asia, Pacific Small Island Developing States, and the Caribbean.
Funding and benefits
- Grants ranging from £20,000 to £50,000 per project.
- Support for projects lasting between 6 and 18 months.
- Core support for technical assistance and capacity building.
- Dedicated funding windows for projects in South Asia, Pacific Small Island Developing States, and the Caribbean.
Who can apply?
- The lead applicant must be a legally established national or sub-national government entity, such as a ministry, department, agency, or other public body with formal government status.
- All 56 Commonwealth member countries are eligible to apply.
- Each country may submit up to 2 project applications per funding round.
- Non-governmental, technical, and implementation partnerships are strongly encouraged.
Required documents
- Completed Grant Application Form in Word (for drafting purposes)
- Online Grant Application Form submission
When to apply
- Applications are open until 11 December 2026, at 23:59 GMT (UTC+0).
- Selected projects will be announced by Q2 2027.
How to apply
- Download and review the Application Guidelines & Assessment Criteria and Frequently Asked Questions.
- Use the Word version of the Grant Application Form to draft responses before completing the online form.
- Submit your Round II application via the online Online Grant Application Form before the deadline on 11 December 2026.
Additional information
- Proposals should address one or more priority areas including reducing marine pollution, restoring marine ecosystems, advancing a sustainable blue economy, strengthening sustainable fisheries, and addressing the ocean-climate nexus in alignment with the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Government entities or public sector agencies in Commonwealth countries seeking catalytic funding to test and scale ocean action projects.
- Teams looking to foster multi-sector partnerships between public bodies, NGOs, academic institutions, and the private sector.
- Projects focusing on marine pollution, coastal ecosystem restoration, sustainable fisheries, or blue economy initiatives.
What should you think carefully about?
- Lead applicants must be official government entities rather than independent NGOs or academic institutions directly, requiring strong public sector sponsorship.
- Project duration is strictly limited to a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 18 months.
- Each Commonwealth country is strictly limited to submitting a maximum of 2 project applications per funding round.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This opportunity is ideal for government bodies and their delivery partners seeking mid-sized financial backing and international recognition to pilot practical marine conservation and sustainable blue economy solutions.
Our take
Eligible national or sub-national public entities in Commonwealth nations with shovel-ready ocean action initiatives should seriously consider applying before the December 2026 deadline.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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