Commonwealth Blue Charter Incubator Round II 2026: Apply for Ocean Sustainability Grants of Up to £50,000 for Government-Led Projects in 56 Commonwealth Countries

Overview

The Commonwealth Blue Charter Incubator Round II provides financial support for practical, government-led initiatives addressing major ocean challenges and advancing sustainable blue economies. The programme is designed to help governments develop, test, and implement solutions to marine and coastal issues, building institutional capacity and generating evidence that can inform future policy decisions and investment. This second round builds on a previous funding round and features new partnerships with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside the Commonwealth Secretariat. The initiative expects to select 10 to 15 projects by the second quarter of 2027.

Who can apply

Eligible lead applicants must be legally established national or sub-national government entities across all 56 Commonwealth member countries. This includes government ministries, departments, agencies, and other public bodies with formal government status. While leadership must be governmental, partnerships with non-governmental organisations, research institutions, universities, community organisations, technical experts, and private-sector organisations are strongly encouraged. Dedicated funding windows are available for the South Asia, Pacific Small Island Developing States, and the Commonwealth Caribbean regions, though all 56 Commonwealth member countries are eligible to apply.

What you get

Successful projects receive catalytic grants ranging from £20,000 to £50,000 per project. The funding is intended to support project activities lasting between 6 and 18 months, helping participants develop, test, and demonstrate solutions that create a foundation for wider implementation and further investment.

Requirements

Proposed projects must address pressing marine and coastal issues. Eligible focus areas include reducing marine pollution, restoring marine ecosystems, strengthening sustainable fisheries, advancing inclusive blue economies, or addressing the relationship between ocean health and climate change. Applications must be led by an eligible government entity.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the stated deadline. Applicants should review the official application guidelines and assessment criteria carefully before submission to ensure that their proposed activities, budgets, and implementation periods meet all programme requirements.

Key dates

Applications must be submitted online by Friday, 11 December 2026, at 23:59 GMT (UTC+0). Successful projects are expected to be selected by the second quarter of 2027.