Applications are now open for the Commonwealth Blue Charter Incubator Round II – Grant Program 2026.
The Commonwealth Blue Charter Incubator Round II is open. Government-led projects from 56 Commonwealth countries can win £20,000 to £50,000 to tackle ocean challenges. Deadline: 11th December 2026.
The program, launched by the Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, is offering catalytic grants to help governments turn bold ocean ideas into real action.
If you work for a government ministry or agency focused on oceans, fisheries, coastal environment, or blue economy, this is a major opportunity to secure funding for your country.
Application Deadline: 11th December 2026 at 11:59 PM Midnight GMT (UTC+0)
About the Blue Charter Incubator
The Commonwealth Blue Charter Incubator provides grants of £20,000 to £50,000 per project to Commonwealth member countries to develop and pilot country-led initiatives that address ocean challenges and advance sustainable, inclusive, and resilient blue economies.
The Incubator was first launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in June 2022 and has already supported 8 projects across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Americas, and the Pacific. Round II will build on this success by funding 10 to 15 additional projects.
The initiative is directly aligned with the goals of the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration (ACOD), adopted by Commonwealth Heads of Government at CHOGM in 2024.
It provides a unique opportunity for governments to initiate and scale solutions that are aligned with national priorities, with the potential to inform policy, legal and regulatory reform, as well as provide training and technical assistance where needed.
What Does the Grant Cover?
Projects can be implemented at the regional, national, or sub-national level.
Grants may support a wide range of activities, including:
- Pilot, demonstration and proof-of-concept projects
- Feasibility studies and technical or economic assessments
- Technical training, capacity building and institutional strengthening
- Projects that strengthen access to finance or develop investment-ready pipelines
- Research, assessments, studies and data collection
- Policy, strategy, planning and regulatory development
- Development and testing of practical tools and technologies
- Implementation of existing national ocean policies and action plans
- Community engagement and stakeholder participation
- Replication and scale-up of existing successful initiatives
Grants can be implemented through partnerships with NGOs, academic and research institutions, community organizations, and the private sector, but the lead must always be government.
Priority Areas for Round II
All projects must contribute to the implementation of the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration. Proposals should address one or more of these five key areas:
1. Reduce Marine Pollution: Prevent and reduce pollution from land and sea-based sources.
2. Restore Marine Ecosystems: Protect and restore mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses and other coastal ecosystems.
3. Advance a Sustainable Blue Economy: Develop inclusive, climate-resilient and investable blue economy approaches.
4. Strengthen Sustainable Fisheries: Improve fisheries governance, management, value chains and livelihoods.
5. Address the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Support adaptation, mitigation, resilience, blue carbon and ocean-climate action.
Eligibility Criteria
This call has specific eligibility rules. Please check carefully:
- Who can be Lead Applicant? Only a legally established national or sub-national government entity can apply. This includes ministries, departments, agencies, or other public bodies with formal government status.
- Can NGOs or Universities Apply? No, NGOs, universities, research institutes, and private companies cannot apply on their own. However, they are strongly encouraged to join as implementing partners. If you are in this category, you should approach your relevant government ministry now.
- Eligible Countries: All 56 Commonwealth Member Countries are eligible. While dedicated funding is available for South Asia, Pacific SIDS and the Caribbean, countries outside these regions are also welcome.
- Number of Applications: Each Commonwealth member country can submit a maximum of 2 applications per round, and each Lead Applicant (government entity) can submit only 1 application per round.
- Project Duration: Projects must be between 6 to 18 months, starting from Q3 2027.
- Grant Size: You must request between £20,000 and £50,000 in GBP. Co-funding (cash or in-kind from government, partners, or donors) is not mandatory but accounts for 10% of the total score, so projects with co-funding will score higher.
Application and Selection Process (5 Stages)
Stage 1: Grant Application Form (You are here)
This is the first and most detailed stage. Applicants provide information on alignment with Commonwealth and government priorities, implementation approach, financing, and expected results.
Stage 2: Detailed Budget, Work Plan and Due Diligence
After initial eligibility assessment, shortlisted applicants will be contacted to provide a more detailed project budget, work plan, and supporting documents for basic due diligence.
Stage 3: Scoring and Selection
Eligible applications will be assessed and scored against the published marking criteria in the Application Guidelines & Assessment Criteria document. Scored applications will be presented to the Blue Charter Incubator Steering Committee. It is anticipated that 10-15 projects will be selected.
Stage 4: Grant Agreements
Selected projects will be invited to enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth Secretariat, setting out funding amount, disbursement schedule, reporting requirements, and other conditions.
Stage 5: Project Commencement
Following signature of the grant agreement, funds will be disbursed and the project can commence. The Secretariat will also collect baseline information and provide reporting templates and guidance. The aim is to sign agreements with successful applicants by the end of Q2 2027.
Important Application Instructions
Before you apply, read this carefully to avoid disqualification:
- The application consists of five pages: Basic Information, Alignment with Commonwealth and Government Priorities, Project Details, Project Financing, and Supporting Documents and Declarations.
- You must complete all required (*) questions before moving to the next page. Ensure you complete and submit all five pages.
- The online form cannot be saved and returned to later. It must be completed in one session. The Secretariat strongly recommends drafting your responses in advance using the downloadable Word version of the form, then copying your final answers into the online form.
- All applications must be submitted through the online form. Submitting the Word version alone will NOT constitute an application.
- All eligible applications will be assessed against the published criteria. Read the FAQs and Application Guidance & Assessment Criteria documents carefully before submitting.
- If you have a question not covered in the FAQs, contact: bluecharter@commonwealth.int with the subject line: “Blue Charter Incubator – Application Query”
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online via the official SurveyMonkey application portal.
Deadline is Friday, 11th December 2026, 23:59 GMT.
Need help with resources to help you prepare for this grant? Explore our resources guides below.
How to Write a Motivation Letter for Scholarships, Fellowships and Grants
Documents You Should Always Have Ready for Scholarships, Jobs, Grants and Fellowships
Grant Application Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Winning Funding
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