UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge, 5th Call: Marine Pollution Reduction, Coastal and Marine Ecosystem restoration and Sustainable Blue Economy 2026 Grant

UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge (funded by Sida)

About this grant

The Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) Call 5 invites private sector organisations worldwide to submit implementation-ready innovations addressing marine pollution, coastal and marine ecosystem restoration, and sustainable blue economy development. Implemented by UNDP and funded by Sida, the OIC aims to support innovations that can generate measurable environmental, social and economic impacts and show strong potential for replication and scaling. The call recognises that entrepreneurs and businesses play a critical role in developing practical solutions to marine pollution, ecosystem degradation and sustainable ocean resource use. It seeks to identify and support private sector innovators able to turn promising ideas into scalable solutions contributing to healthier oceans and more resilient coastal communities, with a particular focus on women, youth and the poor. Preference is given to women- and youth-led or owned innovations. Thematic areas are: marine pollution reduction (including marine plastics, ghost fishing gear, wastewater and other land- and sea-based sources); coastal and marine ecosystem restoration (coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, coastal wetlands, biodiversity and climate resilience); and sustainable blue economy (sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, eco-tourism, blue biotechnology, circular economy, ocean data solutions and other sustainable ocean enterprises). Up to 10 winning proposals will be selected. Each receives up to USD 100,000 through a deliverable-based contract under the Model Innovation Challenge Agreement (MICA), up to 17 months of implementation and incubation support, technical mentoring, project management and reporting support, communications assistance, fundraising and investment-readiness mentoring, and access to investors and development partner networks. Successful innovations join the OIC catalogue of proven ocean solutions.

Eligibility

Open to legally registered private sector organisations, including start-ups, SMEs, private companies, social enterprises and other eligible private sector entities developing innovative ocean-related solutions. Applicants need not be based in the beneficiary countries, but implementation must take place within at least one of Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand or Viet Nam, with acceptance of the government authorities. Partnership with local organisations is strongly encouraged. Solutions must directly benefit one or more of the five beneficiary countries and address at least one of the three thematic areas. Applications must be submitted through the official online form and use the prescribed MICA templates for all sections and annexes.

How it's scored

The page does not describe scoring criteria, weightings or panel composition. Preference is stated for women- and youth-led or owned innovations. Selection is described as a competitive process.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be a legally registered private sector organization (startup, SME, private company or social enterprise)
• ✓Solution must directly benefit and be implemented in at least one of Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, or Viet Nam
• ✓Solution must be implementation-ready and address marine pollution, coastal/marine ecosystem restoration, or sustainable blue economy; applications close 15 November 2026, 23:59 New York time

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge (funded by Sida) offer?

UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge, 5th Call: Marine Pollution Reduction, Coastal and Marine Ecosystem restoration and Sustainable Blue Economy offers up to $100K.

When is the UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge, 5th Call: Marine Pollution Reduction, Coastal and Marine Ecosystem restoration and Sustainable Blue Economy deadline?

Applications close 16 Nov 2026 04:59.

Who can apply for UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge, 5th Call: Marine Pollution Reduction, Coastal and Marine Ecosystem restoration and Sustainable Blue Economy?

Eligibility covers organisations in BD, ID, PH, TH, VN, SE-ASIA and 1 more countries; startup, sme, large-company, social-enterprise. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Ocean and blue economy funding covers marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, coastal resilience and ocean technology. Support comes from public research bodies, development finance and ocean-focused foundations. Calls often favour projects that involve coastal communities and that can be monitored at sea.