Carbon to Sea Initiative has opened its 2026 OAE Research Call for Proposals with up to $6 million in total funding for ocean alkalinity enhancement field research and targeted innovation. Pre-proposals close September 30, 2026.
The Carbon to Sea Initiative 2026 OAE Research Call for Proposals is offering researchers and organisations an opportunity to secure funding for scientific and technical work focused on ocean alkalinity enhancement, or OAE, as a potential climate mitigation solution.
The 2026 funding call is divided into two major opportunities. The Global OAE Field Research Network has up to $5 million in total funding, while Targeted Research & Innovation has up to $1 million available. Together, the two funding portfolios represent as much as $6 million in research funding.
Applications are being handled through a two-stage process. Interested applicants must first submit a pre-proposal by September 30, 2026. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit full proposals.
With the deadline approaching, research teams interested in ocean-based carbon dioxide removal, climate science, marine chemistry, field experimentation and alkalinity technologies should review the appropriate funding track and begin preparing their pre-proposals.
Carbon to Sea Research Grants 2026 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Funder | Carbon to Sea Initiative |
| Opportunity | 2026 OAE Research Call for Proposals |
| Research Area | Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement |
| Number of Open Calls | 2 |
| Global Field Research Network Funding | Up to $5 million total |
| Targeted Research & Innovation Funding | Up to $1 million total |
| Combined Funding Available | Up to $6 million |
| Pre-Proposals Opened | August 11, 2026 |
| Pre-Proposal Deadline | September 30, 2026 |
| Stage 2 Invitations | October 23, 2026 |
| Full Proposal Deadline | December 15, 2026 |
| Award Decision | February 2027 |
| Application Structure | Two-stage process |
| Global Participation | Invited for the Field Research Network |
| Main Focus | OAE field research, sediment additionality and alkalinity innovation |
The published dates are subject to change, so applicants should continue checking the current call documentation during the application process.
What Is the Carbon to Sea Initiative Research Call?
Carbon to Sea Initiative has announced two open calls for proposals intended to advance scientific, technical and social understanding of whether ocean alkalinity enhancement can operate as a viable climate mitigation approach.
Ocean alkalinity enhancement is being investigated as one possible carbon dioxide removal, or CDR, approach.
Carbon to Sea explains that OAE works with the Earth’s natural chemistry and the ocean’s substantial capacity for storing carbon.
Over the previous four years, the initiative says its grant-making has supported research intended to validate OAE’s underlying mechanisms through laboratory studies, mesocosm research, small-scale trials and modelling.
The next major research challenge is determining whether OAE can be responsibly verified and scaled under real-world conditions.
The 2026 research funding call has therefore been designed around field evidence and targeted scientific and technical advances.
How Much Funding Is Available?
The overall funding available across the two calls is substantial.
Global OAE Field Research Network
Carbon to Sea intends to fund a portfolio of awards totalling:
Up to $5,000,000
Targeted Research & Innovation
A separate portfolio will provide:
Up to $1,000,000
Carbon to Sea therefore intends to award up to $6 million across the two portfolios, rather than necessarily giving $6 million to a single applicant.
Applicants should be careful about this distinction.
The figures represent the total funding available across portfolios of awards. The supplied call page does not state that an individual project can automatically request or receive the entire funding amount.
Two Funding Opportunities Available
Applicants need to determine which of the two open calls best fits their research plans.
The opportunities are:
- Global OAE Field Research Network
- Targeted Research & Innovation
The scope, expected projects and research environments differ considerably between them.
1. Global OAE Field Research Network
The first call is intended to support the exploration, development, operation and coordination of OAE field research sites.
Carbon to Sea says the call invites global participation and is intended to support research into areas including:
- Environmental impacts at increasing scales
- Effectiveness across different deployment methods
- Measurability of outcomes
- Sector-specific demonstration
- Cost trajectories over time
The Global OAE Field Research Network contains four grant types.
Grant Type 1A — Field Site Exploration
This track sits within the broader effort to identify and explore opportunities for field research.
Research organisations considering future OAE field sites should review the detailed RFP to determine whether their project meets the requirements of this category.
Grant Type 1B — Field Site Development
This grant type is associated with the development of OAE field research sites.
It may be relevant to organisations that have moved beyond initial exploration and are working toward developing research infrastructure or a suitable programme at a particular location.
Grant Type 1C — Field Research
The Field Research category is designed around research undertaken within field environments.
The broader call seeks evidence that can help determine how OAE performs under real-world conditions rather than relying exclusively on laboratory or modelling results.
Grant Type 1D — Network Participation
The fourth grant type focuses on participation in the broader research network.
The four categories together are intended to support the exploration, development, research and coordination needed to establish a global network of OAE field research sites.
What Kind of Field Research Projects Is Carbon to Sea Looking For?
Carbon to Sea says this funding opportunity is best suited to organisations that have a long-term vision for field science or development in a specific location.
Projects may demonstrate characteristics such as:
- A site and programme designed for sustained, multi-year use
- Capacity for the site to become a shared resource for the wider OAE research community
- Ability to accommodate multiple studies or research teams over time
- Opportunities to test laboratory and mesocosm findings under real-world conditions
- Potential to build an increasingly valuable evidence base
The emphasis on multi-year use is important.
Carbon to Sea specifically distinguishes this vision from a field site created for only one deployment or trial.
Why a Global Field Research Network?
Laboratory experiments can answer important scientific questions, but they cannot necessarily reproduce every condition encountered in a real ocean environment.
Carbon to Sea’s proposed network is intended to help researchers test findings under representative real-world conditions.
The model could also allow field research sites to become shared infrastructure supporting multiple researchers and studies.
This may help the research community accumulate evidence over time rather than treating every project as an isolated experiment.
2. Targeted Research & Innovation
The second open call is Targeted Research & Innovation.
Up to $1 million in total funding is available under this portfolio.
This call contains two priority topics:
- 2A — Sediment Additionality
- 2B — Alkalinity Innovation
Carbon to Sea describes this funding track as focused on key questions relating to OAE safety, effectiveness and potential scalability.
2A — Sediment Additionality
The Sediment Additionality research priority focuses on understanding the influence of natural sediment alkalinity flux on additionality claims of carbon removal.
This is a more targeted scientific question than establishing a long-term field research network.
Research teams proposing work in this category should demonstrate how their study can advance understanding of sediment-related alkalinity processes and their implications for assessing carbon removal.
2B — Alkalinity Innovation
The second priority area focuses on innovation in alkalinity sourcing and production.
Carbon to Sea describes the broader objective as advancing innovative technologies or methods that can improve the production or performance of alkalinity sources.
This may be particularly relevant to research and development teams working on technological or methodological innovation associated with OAE.
Does Targeted Research Require Fieldwork?
No.
Carbon to Sea explicitly states that fieldwork is welcome but is not required for the Targeted Research & Innovation grants.
Suitable projects may instead use:
- Laboratory experiments
- Mesocosm studies
- Discrete field trials
- Complementary modelling experiments
Projects should generally be structured around a specific and clearly defined hypothesis or important research question.
This makes the second call potentially suitable for research teams that do not operate a long-term field site.
Which Carbon to Sea Grant Should You Choose?
The appropriate track largely depends on the scale and purpose of the proposed research.
Consider the Global OAE Field Research Network if:
Your organisation has a long-term vision for OAE field science in a particular location.
This may be especially appropriate when the site could eventually:
- Support multiple studies
- Host different research teams
- Operate over several years
- Test findings in representative real-world conditions
- Contribute to a broader international OAE research network
Consider Targeted Research & Innovation if:
Your team wants to answer a specific research question relating to:
- Sediment additionality, or
- Alkalinity sourcing, production or performance.
These projects can be shorter and more focused and do not necessarily require fieldwork.
Important Application Dates
The official 2026 timeline is:
| Application Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Pre-Proposals Open | August 11, 2026 |
| Pre-Proposal Deadline | September 30, 2026 |
| Stage 2 Invitations | October 23, 2026 |
| Full Proposal Deadline | December 15, 2026 |
| Award Decision | February 2027 |
Carbon to Sea notes that all dates are subject to change.
Application Deadline
The immediate deadline applicants need to focus on is:
September 30, 2026
Interested parties must submit their pre-proposals by this date.
This is not the deadline for the final full proposal.
Only selected applicants move forward to the second stage.
Two-Stage Application Process Explained
The Carbon to Sea research funding opportunity uses a two-stage process.
Stage 1 — Pre-Proposal
Interested applicants submit a pre-proposal by September 30, 2026.
Stage 2 — Invitation
Carbon to Sea expects to communicate Stage 2 invitations on October 23, 2026.
This means not every applicant will automatically submit a full proposal.
Full Proposal
Selected applicants will be invited to prepare and submit a full proposal.
The current full-proposal deadline is:
December 15, 2026
Award Decision
Funding decisions are expected in:
February 2027
The two-stage structure allows Carbon to Sea to review initial concepts before requesting more detailed proposals from selected teams.
Who Can Apply?
The main call page does not provide a short universal eligibility checklist covering every applicant type.
However, the Global OAE Field Research Network explicitly invites global participation, and the description indicates that the opportunity is particularly suited to organisations with a long-term field science or site-development vision.
The Targeted Research & Innovation call is described as being suited to research and development teams proposing focused projects.
Applicants should consult the specific RFP, Application Guidance, FAQ and Terms & Conditions before deciding that their organisation is eligible.
Is This Funding Available Internationally?
The Global OAE Field Research Network explicitly invites global participation.
This is important for research teams outside the United States.
However, international availability should not be interpreted as meaning that every individual, institution or organisational structure automatically qualifies.
Applicants need to review the detailed conditions applicable to their chosen grant type.
Key Application Documents
Carbon to Sea provides several documents for applicants:
- Global OAE Field Research Network RFP
- Targeted Research & Innovation RFP
- Application Guidance
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Terms & Conditions
These documents should be reviewed before submitting a pre-proposal.
The RFP corresponding to the selected funding track is particularly important because it contains details beyond the summary available on the main call page.
Application Information Is Available in Multiple Languages
Carbon to Sea also provides translated call materials.
Translations are available in:
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Arabic
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Chinese
These translated materials can make the call more accessible to research communities across different regions.
How to Apply
Applicants should approach the application process systematically.
Step 1 — Select the Appropriate Open Call
Determine whether the proposal is better aligned with:
Global OAE Field Research Network
or
Targeted Research & Innovation.
Step 2 — Identify the Correct Grant Type
For the Field Research Network, determine whether the project fits:
- Field Site Exploration
- Field Site Development
- Field Research
- Network Participation
For Targeted Research & Innovation, determine whether the proposal addresses:
- Sediment Additionality
- Alkalinity Innovation
Step 3 — Read the RFP
Review the complete RFP for the selected track rather than relying only on the summary.
Step 4 — Review Application Guidance
Read the Application Guidance, FAQ and Terms & Conditions.
Step 5 — Prepare the Pre-Proposal
Develop the initial proposal according to the requirements contained in the application documents.
Step 6 — Submit Before September 30
The pre-proposal must be submitted by September 30, 2026 under the current timeline.
Step 7 — Wait for Stage 2 Decision
Selected applicants are expected to receive invitations around October 23, 2026.
Step 8 — Prepare the Full Proposal
Invited applicants then have until December 15, 2026, under the current schedule, to submit their complete proposals.
How Competitive Is the Funding?
The supplied call page does not provide an acceptance rate or specify exactly how many awards will be made.
It would therefore be inaccurate to claim a particular success rate.
What is clear is that Carbon to Sea intends to create portfolios of awards, and applicants first have to pass the pre-proposal stage before being invited to submit a full proposal.
A strong proposal should therefore clearly demonstrate alignment with the objectives of the selected grant type.
How to Strengthen a Proposal
Applicants should focus on demonstrating why their research addresses the specific needs identified by the call.
For the Field Research Network, this may include clearly explaining:
- Why the proposed location matters
- Long-term research potential
- How the site could support multiple studies
- How researchers could use the site collaboratively
- What real-world evidence the project could generate
For Targeted Research & Innovation, applicants should articulate a specific hypothesis or research question and explain how the proposed experimental, modelling or technological approach could answer it.
These priorities reflect the characteristics Carbon to Sea itself identifies for the two funding tracks.
Application Mistakes to Avoid
One major mistake would be treating the $6 million as a single grant available to one applicant.
It is the combined maximum funding across two portfolios.
Another mistake is applying to the wrong research track. A long-term field-site proposal and a focused laboratory innovation project have substantially different purposes.
Applicants should also avoid skipping the detailed RFP documents. The main webpage provides a useful overview, but the complete requirements are contained in the supporting documents.
Finally, teams should not wait until the December full-proposal deadline to begin applying. The first required stage is the September 30 pre-proposal deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Carbon to Sea 2026 Research Call?
It is a research funding call focused on advancing scientific, technical and social understanding of ocean alkalinity enhancement as a potential climate mitigation approach.
How much funding is available?
Carbon to Sea intends to fund up to $5 million through the Global OAE Field Research Network and up to $1 million through Targeted Research & Innovation.
Is this one $6 million grant?
No. The money is intended for portfolios of awards across the two open calls.
What is the application deadline?
Pre-proposals are due September 30, 2026.
When did applications open?
Pre-proposal submissions opened on August 11, 2026.
When will selected applicants be invited to Stage 2?
The current timeline lists October 23, 2026.
When are full proposals due?
The current full-proposal deadline is December 15, 2026.
When will awards be announced?
Award decisions are currently scheduled for February 2027.
Is international participation allowed?
The Global OAE Field Research Network explicitly invites global participation. Applicants should still review the detailed eligibility and terms for their selected grant type.
Is fieldwork required?
The Global Field Research Network is field-oriented. For Targeted Research & Innovation, fieldwork is welcome but not required. Laboratory, mesocosm, discrete field trials and complementary modelling can be in scope.
What research areas are supported?
The programme supports OAE field research as well as targeted work on sediment additionality and innovation in alkalinity sourcing and production.
Final Thoughts
The Carbon to Sea Initiative 2026 OAE Research Call for Proposals represents a substantial funding opportunity for organisations and research teams working on ocean alkalinity enhancement and related carbon dioxide removal science.
Up to $5 million is allocated to a portfolio of awards under the Global OAE Field Research Network, while another $1 million is available for Targeted Research & Innovation.
The first funding track seeks to develop a network of long-term field research sites capable of producing real-world evidence and supporting broader OAE research. The second focuses on specific questions involving sediment additionality and innovative alkalinity sourcing and production.
The immediate priority for interested applicants is the September 30, 2026 pre-proposal deadline. Successful first-stage applicants are expected to be invited to submit full proposals, with award decisions currently scheduled for February 2027.
Research organisations considering the opportunity should carefully select the correct grant type, study the relevant RFP and application guidance, and ensure their proposal clearly addresses the scientific or technical priorities established by Carbon to Sea.
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