Divers linking hands in a circle, seen from below, Cabo Pulmo

AWARE COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM

Grant guidelines

The funding criteria, evaluation criteria and reporting requirements on this page are current and will not change before the next round opens. Applications are closed at the moment and the next round opens in 2027, so if you are thinking of applying, use the time to prepare.

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APPLICATIONS

Currently closed

The next funding round opens in 2027. Dates will be posted here once they are confirmed.

Grant size Up to $10,000 USD

Open to PADI Dive Centres and non-profits

Non-profit operating budget Less than $1 million USD

Round length Roughly three months

Read the grant guidelines Tell me when it opens

THE PROCESS

How a round runs

Roughly three months from quiz to funds. The detail behind each step is below.

Eligibility Quiz

One short form. If you qualify you are emailed a link to the full application, specific to your organisation and project.

Application and budget

Completed in full and submitted online with a Project Budget, using your own link. Not accepted by email.

Independent review

Assessed against five points by the Community Grant review panel and members of the PADI AWARE Board of Directors.

Funding Agreement

Signed by an authorised representative and returned. Bank details must match the organisation name. Funds never go to individual accounts.

Project and report

A Project Report on outcomes is due within one month of the project ending. It is required for any future funding.

WHAT WE FUND

What we fund, and what we don’t

Every application is checked against the general rules first, then against the rules for its program area. Your project should sit in one of the four areas below.

All projectsIn general +

These rules apply to every application, whichever program area it sits in.

PADI AWARE will fund

✓Diving-related projects
✓The percentage of staff time directly related to the project, outside regular operational or dive centre duties, up to 25% of the total grant amount
✓Equipment directly related to the project and essential to the activity
✓Projects that need a one-time grant to develop long-term participation or continuation

PADI AWARE will not fund

✕Staff time that covers normal dive store or general work operations
✕Unrelated equipment that does not move the project forward
✕Purely scientific research projects with no conservation outcome
✕Multi-year projects
✕Projects above $10,000 USD that don’t have additional secured funding
✕Projects that have a negative impact on the environment
✕Projects that focus solely on awareness raising

Program area 01Marine Debris +

Projects that stop debris reaching the water, and build the long-term data that changes decisions.

PADI AWARE will fund

✓Recycling projects
✓Dive Against Debris® events that establish long-term monitoring
✓Dive Against Debris® events that include decision-makers

PADI AWARE will not fund

✕One-off Dive Against Debris activities or events
✕Projects that contribute to a citizen science project that competes with Dive Against Debris
✕Removal of “live” fishing gear
✕Beach clean-ups
✕Isolated awareness events with no follow-through

Program area 02Vulnerable Marine Species +

Projects that protect species listed as Vulnerable or higher on the IUCN Red List.

PADI AWARE will fund

✓Projects focused on species listed as Vulnerable or higher (VU+) on the IUCN Red List
✓Proposals to protect VU+ species

PADI AWARE will not fund

✕Purchase of tags or tagging equipment
✕Projects that are not focused on VU+ species

What VU+ means. Species assessed by the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR). Check your species at iucnredlist.org before you apply.

Program area 03Marine Protected Areas +

Projects that create, strengthen or expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

PADI AWARE will fund

✓Establishment of new MPAs
✓Strengthening protection of existing MPAs
✓Expansion of existing MPAs

PADI AWARE will not fund

✕Any enforcement activities that do not have appropriate government endorsement or approval
✕Buying boundary marker buoys
✕Generic habitat monitoring that is not part of an MPA management plan

Program area 04Marine Habitat Restoration +

Projects that restore the habitats marine life depends on, using proven methods and the right permits.

PADI AWARE will fund

✓Seagrass, coral, kelp and mangrove restoration projects
✓Invasive species removal using approved methods
✓Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) prevention and treatment

PADI AWARE will not fund

✕Restoration projects without the required permits, or without proven methodologies and technologies for the restoration area
✕Invasive species removal not using scientifically verified procedures
✕Sinking of vessels to create artificial reefs

Coral reef and climate-related habitat work sits within this program area.