UNDP launches its 2026 Ocean Innovation Challenge, offering up to USD 100,000 each to selected innovators developing solutions for healthier oceans. Apply by 15 November 2026.
Background & Opportunity Description
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has launched the fifth Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) call for proposals, offering up to USD 1 million in total potential support for innovations addressing ocean and coastal challenges.
The global initiative invites eligible, legally registered private-sector organizations to submit practical, implementation-ready solutions that reduce marine pollution, restore coastal ecosystems and promote sustainable ocean-based businesses.
Up to 10 selected innovators can receive up to USD 100,000 each, alongside implementation and incubation support for up to 17 months.
The challenge prioritizes solutions benefiting Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam, with preference for innovations that are women-led or youth-led or owned.
Opportunity Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | UNDP |
| Initiative | Ocean Innovation Challenge |
| Call | Fifth Call for Proposals |
| Total potential support | Up to USD 1 million |
| Maximum support per selected innovator | USD 100,000 |
| Number of selected innovators | Up to 10 |
| Implementation period | Up to 17 months |
| Eligible applicants | Legally registered private-sector organizations |
| Priority countries | Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam |
| Application deadline | 15 November 2026, 23:59 New York time |
| Funding partner | Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) |
Focus Areas of the Ocean Innovation Challenge
1. Marine Pollution and Plastics Reduction
The challenge welcomes solutions that prevent, reduce, recover or manage marine pollution. Relevant areas include plastic waste, abandoned fishing gear, wastewater and pollution from land-based and sea-based sources.
2. Marine Ecosystem Restoration
Innovations may focus on restoring and protecting coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows, coastal wetlands and other marine ecosystems. Solutions should contribute to biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
3. Sustainable Blue Economy
This category supports sustainable economic activities connected to ocean resources. Potential areas include sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, ecotourism, blue biotechnology, circular economy approaches and ocean data solutions.
Proposals should demonstrate practical benefits and potential for replication or expansion.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to legally registered private-sector organizations worldwide, including:
- Start-up companies.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Private companies.
- Social enterprises.
- Other eligible private-sector entities developing innovative ocean-related solutions.
Applicants do not have to be based in one of the five priority countries. However, the proposed innovation must be implemented in at least one priority country and have acceptance from the relevant government authorities.
Partnerships with local organizations are strongly encouraged.
Preference will be given to women-led and youth-led or owned innovations, particularly those improving opportunities for women, young people and vulnerable coastal populations.
Benefits and Funding Support
Up to 10 successful innovators will receive a package of financial and non-financial support.
Financial support: Each selected innovator may receive up to USD 100,000 through a deliverable-based contract under UNDP’s Model Innovation Challenge Agreement (MICA).
Other support includes technical mentoring, project management assistance, monitoring and reporting guidance, communications support and visibility opportunities.
Selected innovators can also receive fundraising and investment-readiness support, investment facilitation and opportunities to connect with investors, development partners and private-sector networks.
The programme is designed to help promising solutions move from implementation to wider adoption and scaling.
Additional Information
Since its launch in 2020, the Ocean Innovation Challenge has supported 36 ocean innovation projects across 29 countries. UNDP reports that the initiative has invested USD 8.4 million in ocean innovators, whose projects subsequently mobilized more than USD 25 million in additional funding.
The fifth call builds on previous rounds by focusing on practical solutions that can generate measurable environmental, social and economic benefits while strengthening coastal communities.
Application Deadline
The deadline is 15 November 2026 at 23:59 New York time.
Interested organizations should prepare their proposals and supporting documentation well before the closing date.
How to Apply
Applicants should begin by reviewing the official fifth-call announcement and the guidance document, which provides an offline version of the proposal form.
The online proposal form requires a Google sign-in, and applicants must upload the required annexes and supporting documents. The official call page also provides templates for the application information form, results framework, project work plan, budget, co-financing declaration, organizational capacity assessment, integrity declaration and social and environmental risk screening checklist.
Apply using the official resources:
- Access the UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge — Fifth Call
- Open the online application form
- Read the official UNDP announcement
Applicants should follow the official templates and submission instructions carefully. Only applications submitted through the designated online form will be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge 2026?
It is a global call for proposals supporting practical innovations that address marine pollution, ecosystem restoration and sustainable blue economy development.
2. How much funding can successful applicants receive?
Each selected innovator can receive up to USD 100,000. Up to 10 innovations may be selected, representing up to USD 1 million in potential financial support.
3. Who is eligible to apply?
Legally registered private-sector organizations worldwide, including start-ups, SMEs, private companies and social enterprises developing eligible ocean-related solutions, may apply.
4. Must applicants be based in the priority countries?
No. Applicants can be based elsewhere, but their proposed innovations must be implemented in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand or Viet Nam, with acceptance from the relevant government authorities.
5. Are women-led and youth-led businesses encouraged?
Yes. Preference will be given to innovations that are women-led and youth-led or owned.
6. How long is the implementation and incubation support?
Selected innovators can receive implementation and incubation support for up to 17 months, alongside technical mentoring and other assistance.
7. When is the application deadline?
The deadline is 15 November 2026 at 23:59 New York time.
8. Is the funding automatically awarded to every applicant?
No. The call is competitive, and UNDP will select up to 10 winning proposals. Financial support is provided through a deliverable-based contract under the Model Innovation Challenge Agreement.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge may be particularly relevant to registered businesses and social enterprises with practical solutions in waste reduction, marine conservation, ecosystem restoration or sustainable ocean-based industries.
Applicants should demonstrate how their innovations will benefit at least one priority country, produce measurable results and offer potential for scaling. Women-led and youth-led or owned organizations may benefit from the stated preference in the selection process.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares funding and innovation opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with UNDP or Sida and does not manage the selection process. Applicants should consult the official call documents for complete eligibility, funding and contractual requirements.
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