Call for Proposals: Coral Accelerator Program (CAP)

Deadline: 19-Oct-2026

CORDAP is inviting international collaborative teams to apply for the Coral Accelerator Program (CAP) 2026), which provides funding for research and development projects advancing technologies and innovations for coral conservation and restoration. The program supports multidisciplinary teams developing breakthrough solutions to address coral decline and improve the long-term resilience of tropical coral reefs and cold-water corals.

About the Coral Accelerator Program

The Coral Accelerator Program is designed to accelerate transformational research and development in coral conservation and restoration. The program aims to address the urgent need for new technologies, methods, and interventions that can help secure the future of coral ecosystems worldwide. CAP 2026 supports projects that can help close the gap between current coral conservation capabilities and the solutions needed to halt and reverse global coral decline. What Does CAP 2026 Support? The program supports a broad range of research and development activities, from early-stage research through proof-of-concept development and testing.

Eligible projects may include:

- Novel early-phase research. - Final proof-of-concept development and testing. - Development of new coral conservation tools and technologies. - Development of new interventions and methods. - Significant improvement or scaling of existing approaches. - Foundational science needed to support implementation. - Capacity building for local innovation. - Translation of existing R&D approaches to new contexts. - Research focused on cold-water corals. - Restoration of reef-associated organisms. - Water quality improvement solutions. Priority Areas CAP 2026 identifies several priority areas where innovative research and development could have significant conservation impact.

These include:

- Assisted evolution. - Aquaculture and automation. - Preservation of existing corals. - Reducing mortality during early life stages. - Intervention planning and monitoring. - Blended artificial and natural reefs. - R&D capacity development. - Methods appropriate for low- and middle-income countries. - Restoration of reef-associated organisms. - Water quality improvements. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed technology, method, or intervention can contribute to addressing important coral conservation and restoration challenges. Support for Tropical and Cold-Water Corals The program is not limited to tropical reef systems. CAP 2026 also supports research focused on cold-water corals, providing opportunities for teams developing technologies and approaches relevant to these important but distinct coral ecosystems. From Research to Proof of Concept CAP 2026 accommodates projects at different stages of development.

Teams may propose:

- Novel early-stage research. - Foundational research supporting future implementation. - Development of new technologies. - Testing of innovative interventions. - Improvements to existing technologies. - Scaling of proven methods. - Final proof-of-concept development and testing. This broad scope allows teams to develop solutions according to the maturity and needs of their proposed innovation. International and Multidisciplinary Collaboration International collaboration is a central requirement of CAP 2026. The program is designed for multidisciplinary teams that combine expertise from different organisations and countries. Collaboration can bring together researchers, technology developers, conservation organisations, government bodies, universities, and other relevant partners to address complex coral conservation challenges. Funding Available CAP 2026 provides funding of up to USD 1 million per project.

Projects can have a duration of:

- Minimum: 1 year.

- Maximum: 3 years.

The total funding allocation for CAP 2026 and the upcoming High Reward calls is USD 3.2 million. Applicants should develop project budgets that clearly connect proposed costs with the research, development, testing, and implementation activities. Eligible Project Costs Grant funding can support a range of costs associated with eligible research and development activities.

Eligible costs may include:

- Research-related expenses. - Equipment. - Materials. - Services. - Personnel costs. Specific limits apply to indirect costs, depending on the income classification of the applicant’s country. Requirements for For-Profit Organisations For-profit organisations can participate in eligible collaborative projects. However, for-profit organisations must co-invest in the project to ensure that no profit is made from the grant. Applicants from the private sector should therefore account for the required co-investment when developing their project structure and budget. Who Can Apply? CAP 2026 is open to international collaborative teams involving eligible organisations such as: - Not-for-profit organisations. - For-profit organisations. - Higher education institutions. - Research institutes. - Government organisations. The program does not provide awards directly to individuals. International Team Requirements Applicant teams must meet specific collaboration requirements.

Each team must include:

- At least 3 organisations. - Organisations from at least 2 different countries. - At least 1 organisation from a low- or middle-income country, as defined by the OECD. This structure is intended to encourage international collaboration and strengthen participation from low- and middle-income countries in coral conservation innovation.

Participation Limits

CAP 2026 places limits on how many proposals an individual or organisation can lead or participate in. Applicants should carefully review the participation rules before forming a consortium or submitting multiple proposals to ensure they remain within the permitted limits. Support for Low- and Middle-Income Countries The program places particular importance on approaches that can be developed or implemented in low- and