Community Led Marine Conservation & Cultural Preservation Grant
About
These grants support Indigenous groups, organizations, and communities engaged in activities that advance marine conservation, cultural preservation, and the intergenerational transfer of traditional ecological knowledge.
This grant supports innovative projects that connect directly to marine or coastal conservation, cultural heritage, traditional ecological knowledge, community stewardship, or activities that strengthen cultural relationships with marine environments.
Background
The need for financial support of marine conservation efforts is acute in many parts of the world, especially in developing nations and those with little or no access to conservation funding. The Society for Conservation Biology Marine Program initiated our Conservation Small Grants Program (CSGP) to fund worthy conservation projects around the globe. The objective of the SCB Marine Program CSGP is to advance the conservation of marine biodiversity and the communities which depend on healthy marine systems by providing funds to individuals or groups for research, conservation, and restoration activities in support of the program’s Mission and Goals.
Mission
To advance the science, education, and practice of conserving the Earth’s marine biological diversity.
Goals
- Be a global focal point for marine conservation
- Facilitate the dissemination of the science of marine conservation through education, publications, presentations, and media outreach
- Promote marine conservation as a priority for SCB
- Inform and facilitate the implementation of marine conservation policy
- Encourage communication/action across disciplinary, national and institutional boundaries
- Create the capacity to accomplish the aforementioned goals
Grant Amount: Up to $5,000 USD
Applicants must be members of the Society for Conservation Biology’s Marine Program and may include educators, researchers, practitioners, Indigenous groups, and K–12 school groups (students must be supervised by an adult). Eligible applicants may be affiliated with:
- Indigenous communities, tribes, nations, clans, or village councils
- Indigenous-led organizations or community groups
- Indigenous knowledge holders, elders, or youth groups (youth must be supervised by an adult)
- Partnerships between Indigenous groups and researchers, NGOs, or educational institutions (must be Indigenous-led)
Priority Given To:
- Indigenous-led and community-driven projects
- Projects demonstrating cultural relevance and long-term community benefit
- Projects promoting stewardship, ecological resilience, or cultural continuity
- Projects showing capacity for implementation (community labor, in-kind support)
Examples of eligible activities:
- Developing policy briefs or evidence summaries to inform marine conservation governance
- Organizing workshops bringing scientists, policymakers, fishers, and communities together
- Capacity-building on conservation laws, marine protected areas, and fisheries regulations
- Supporting community-driven planning processes grounded in scientific data
Non-eligible activities:
- Travel to the ICCBs, IMCCs, or other meetings.
- Personal expenses such as food, lodging, or professional membership fees.
- Researcher salaries;
- Tuition or course fees;
- Indirect/Overhead/F&A.
The most recent applications, for 2026, closed on January 15, 2026, 11:59 PM EST. Applications are not currently being taken.
Information, announcements, and application reminders for current and future grants rounds will be posted to the SCB Marine Program listserv, in the Marine Program news, and on the Program’s social media pages. If you have questions, please email the Marine Program Science Officer. Previous grant recipients may complete their final Small Grants Report Form using this form. If you require the guidelines document or forms in large print, audio, Braille, or a colored background, please contact the Marine Program Diversity Committee Chair Shaili Johri.
- Funds must be spent within 12-24 months of award
- Brief progress updates required at six-month intervals
- Final written report due at end of funding period
- Application Deadline: January 15, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
- Award notifications: 6-8 weeks after application
- Funds dispersed: Early 2026
Questions? Email scbmarinecomms@gmail.com with ‘MarineGrants2026’ in the subject line
Accessibility: Guidelines available in large print, audio, Braille, or colored background upon request.
Community Led Marine Conservation & Cultural Preservation Grants Small Grants Recipients
Marlène Djoumessi
Cameroon
Details
Bio:
Marlène Djoumessi, an aquatic and wildlife resource management engineer and marine conservation specialist from Cameroon, brings over seven years of experience in biodiversity conservation and community engagement. As Deputy Coordinator of TUBE AWU, she leads initiatives focused on the conservation of sea turtles, cetaceans, and fish populations, as well as sustainable fishing, environmental education, and the preservation of indigenous ecological knowledge within the coastal communities bordering Manyange Na Elombo Campo Marine National Park. Her work prioritizes participatory approaches that position local communities as key players in conservation. Through research, education, and cultural initiatives, she promotes locally driven solutions, thereby strengthening both marine biodiversity conservation and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Project Summary:
Through a community-led festival, elders, fishers, women, youth, and local leaders will share traditional ecological knowledge regarding marine species, customary fishing practices, and the cultural values that have historically fostered the sustainable use of resources. Storytelling, music, dance, demonstrations, and dialogue will provide unique opportunities for intergenerational learning while strengthening community ownership of conservation efforts. It is against this backdrop that the project “Revitalizing local ecological knowledge for marine conservation through a community cultural festival centered on the Manyange Na Elombo Campo Marine National Park” aims to leverage cultural heritage as a powerful tool for marine conservation along the Cameroonian coast. To achieve its objectives, the project includes preparatory workshops for youth, participatory exchanges, and audiovisual documentation designed to preserve this knowledge for future educational use. By linking cultural identity with environmental preservation, this initiative will foster lasting support for marine biodiversity conservation, strengthen collaboration between communities and park authorities, and demonstrate the value of a culture-based conservation education model that can be replicated in other coastal communities.