ROC GRANTS

Do you provide funding to organizations in all locations?

The ROC Grants program only funds projects in support of island nations. Priority for ROC Grants is given to projects in countries with Blue Prosperity Coalition partnerships: the Azores, Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. 

 

Do you provide emergency funding?

No. We do not provide emergency funding through the ROC Grants program. This program has a standard review period (~6 weeks) that cannot accommodate emergency grants.

 

Do you occasionally provide funding over your maximum amount? 

No. We will review proposals for grants up to $20,000.

 

Will you review project concepts prior to application? 

No. Due to the large number of applications received, we are unable to review any project concepts prior to receiving the application.

 

Why haven't I received a response to my application?

We review applications on a monthly basis. Responses to applications will take about 6 weeks.

 

Why was my project not accepted even though it met all of the evaluation criteria?

While we receive many grant applications that fit our evaluation criteria, we unfortunately cannot fund all projects submitted due to budget constraints.

 

Do you occasionally fund projects outside of the scope of ocean conservation? 

No. The ROC Grants program funds projects related to the Waitt Foundation’s mission of ocean conservation. This also includes sub-themes of scientific research, policy, management and communications. For more information on the scope of projects funded through the ROC Grants program, please refer back to the “Program Focus” section of the ROC Grants page on our website.

 

Do you provide funding assistance to governments? 

No. The ROC Grants program only provides grants to applicants that have a public charity status.

 

Do you provide funding to a University?

Yes. Please contact the administration office within your University to obtain information about their non-profit affiliation or foundation housed within the University. We can provide grants through the non-profit arm of the University. 

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Do you provide grants for thesis projects?

No. We do not provide grants in support of thesis projects.

 

Do you provide grants to individuals?

No. You must have an affiliation or be sponsored by a non-profit public charity.

 

Is there a specific budget format that applicants should use?

No. We do not have a required format for submitting budgets. While we do provide a sample budget, we recognize that each project is unique so we allow grantees to submit their budgets in any format that best represents their project.

 

Is there a specific timeline format that applicants should use?

No. We do not have a required format for submitting timelines.

 

Can I submit an application for funding multiple times?

Yes. Although your project may have been previously declined, you may resubmit an application for funding at any time.

 

My application was declined, can I receive additional feedback as to why it was not approved for funding?

No. Due to the overwhelming number of applications received, we unfortunately are not able to provide feedback on the specific reason as to why the application was declined.

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My project was previously approved for a ROC Grant. Can I apply for additional funds?

No. We do not provide funding in support of previously approved grants and cannot provide continuous funding for any projects.

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Do you provide funding for freshwater projects?

No. We only fund projects related to ocean initiatives.