Up to US$100,000 UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge 2026: Funding for Marine Pollution, Ecosystem Restoration and Blue Economy Solutions
Overview
The Ocean Innovation Challenge is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The initiative aims to identify and support implementation-ready solutions that generate measurable environmental, social, and economic impacts while contributing to the inclusive development of the sustainable Blue Economy. The 5th Call for Innovations focuses on marine pollution reduction, coastal and marine ecosystem restoration, and sustainable Blue Economy solutions. The programme is especially interested in initiatives that benefit women, youth, and people living in poverty, with a preference for innovations led or owned by women and youth.
Who can apply
The opportunity is open worldwide to legally registered private-sector organisations, including start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, private companies, and social enterprises. While applicants do not need to be based in the target countries, the proposed innovation must be implemented in at least one of five beneficiary nations: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, or Viet Nam. Furthermore, applicants must secure acceptance from the relevant government authorities in the implementation country and are strongly encouraged to establish partnerships with local organisations.
What you get
Up to 10 winning proposals will be selected to receive financial support of up to US$100,000 each through a deliverable-based contract. In addition to funding, selected innovators participate in an implementation and incubation programme lasting up to 17 months. This support includes technical mentoring, project management and reporting assistance, communications and outreach help, and investment-readiness mentoring. Participants also gain connections to investors, development partners, and private-sector networks, as well as increased visibility through global knowledge-sharing platforms and inclusion in the Ocean Innovation Challenge catalogue of proven ocean solutions.
Requirements
Proposed solutions must address at least one of three thematic areas. Marine pollution reduction projects must prevent, reduce, recover, or manage pollution from land- or sea-based sources such as plastics, ghost fishing gear, and wastewater. Ecosystem restoration projects must restore and conserve habitats like coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coastal wetlands to strengthen biodiversity and climate resilience. Sustainable Blue Economy projects must promote economic activities connected to ocean resources, such as sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, ecotourism, blue biotechnology, circular economy approaches, and ocean data solutions. Solutions must be sufficiently developed for implementation, show potential for scaling and replication, and have government acceptance in the target implementation country.
How to apply
Applicants must review the official announcement and application guidance, prepare proposals using the offline guide, and complete the official online submission form by signing into Google to upload required annexes and documents. Submissions must use the official templates for the application information form, results framework and impact indicators, project work plan, detailed and itemised budgets, co-financing declaration, organisational capacity assessment, integrity and compliance declaration, and the social and environmental risk screening checklist.
Key dates
The application deadline is 15 November 2026 at 23:59 New York Time.