Micro-Grants
Targeted funding to advance ocean initiatives.
Program Overview
Coastal Aware Alliance's Micro-Grants Program provides targeted funding of up to $1,000 to help advance marine research and ocean conservation initiatives. These grants are intended to address specific project needs where a modest financial contribution can make a meaningful difference.
Beyond the financial contribution, each grant offers an opportunity to establish meaningful relationships and explore possibilities for collaboration that extend the value of our support.
What We Support
We support marine research and ocean conservation initiatives with clear objectives and identifiable needs where targeted funding can help move the work forward.
Micro-Grants may support specific project costs, such as equipment, materials, fieldwork operations, data collection, and documentation. We consider a broad range of initiatives and recognize that meaningful contributions to ocean conservation can take many forms.
Funding is intended to directly benefit the initiative rather than cover personal expenses or general participation costs. Our focus is on understanding how the requested funding will benefit the project, what the applicant hopes to accomplish, and how progress or outcomes can be demonstrated.
Beyond Funding: Working Together
At Coastal Aware Alliance, we recognize that meaningful support extends beyond financial contributions. Our collaborative approach brings together two complementary forms of involvement: project-facing contributions that help advance the work itself, and audience-facing contributions that help bring that work to broader audiences.
Supporting the Work
Through field participation, underwater photography and videography, technical expertise, and project coordination, we can contribute directly to the activities that move an initiative forward. Our involvement is guided by the project's objectives and opportunities to add meaningful value.
Sharing the Story
Through original storytelling, visual documentation, researcher interviews, digital media, and outreach, we can help communicate the people, activities, and outcomes behind marine initiatives. These efforts help make important work more accessible and visible beyond its immediate participants, while recognizing the contributions of those involved.
We see funding as more than a financial contribution. Each Micro-Grant creates an opportunity to establish meaningful relationships, share expertise, and explore ways to advance common goals.
Collaboration can take different forms, from contributing directly to project activities to helping communicate the work and its outcomes. Our goal is to identify opportunities where CAA's involvement can provide value beyond the initial financial contribution.
Not every project requires the same level of involvement. We work with recipients to identify opportunities for collaboration that make sense for the project, with any additional contributions and arrangements discussed and agreed upon together.
How it Works
Our Micro-Grants Program follows a structured review and selection process designed to give each application thoughtful consideration. We communicate with applicants throughout the process, providing updates on review timelines, application status, and selection decisions, whether or not an initiative is selected for funding.
1. Submit an Application
Share your initiative, objectives, funding needs, and intended outcomes. Applications may be submitted throughout the year and are considered according to our quarterly funding review cycles.
2. Initial Review
We evaluate submissions for alignment with our mission, project feasibility, intended use of funds, and potential impact. We may contact applicants for additional information during this stage.
3. Follow-Up Discussion
Applicants advancing beyond the initial review are invited to discuss their initiatives, clarify project needs, and explore expectations for communication, collaboration, acknowledgment, and sharing outcomes.
4. Funding Decision
Following the discussions, we make final selections based on the initiative's merits, alignment with our approach, and available funding.
5. Project Kickoff
Before funding is released, we formally establish the relationship, confirm project objectives and funding arrangements, and agree on communication, acknowledgment, outcome sharing, and any additional collaboration.
6. Progress & Outcome Sharing
Throughout the engagement, we maintain communication, follow project progress, and work together to document and share appropriate activities, milestones, and outcomes.
What Strengthens an Application?
We're particularly interested in initiatives that demonstrate:
Clear objectives and a practical plan for achieving them
A specific, well-justified use of funding
Identifiable outcomes and a reasonable way to demonstrate progress
An openness to communication, collaboration, and sharing the work with broader audiences
Opportunities to establish meaningful relationships beyond the initial grant
Apply for Funding
Have an ocean initiative that could benefit from targeted funding? We invite you to submit an application and explore the opportunity to work with Coastal Aware Alliance.