Open Call: Our Marine Parks Grants Program – Round 5 (Australia)

Deadline: 27-Oct-2026

The Our Marine Parks Grants Program provides $50,000 to $500,000 in grants for projects that improve the management, conservation, and sustainable use of Australia’s Marine Parks. Round 5 has a $5.6 million funding pool and supports practical conservation, First Nations Sea Country stewardship, sustainable fishing, marine research, community engagement, and activities aligned with Australian Marine Parks management plans. What Is the Our Marine Parks Grants Program? The Our Marine Parks Grants Program supports projects that contribute to the long-term protection, conservation, and sustainable use of Australia’s marine environments. The program is part of Australia’s broader approach to managing the country’s network of 60 Australian Marine Parks, which protect areas with important biodiversity, cultural, recreational, tourism, fishing, and ecological values. The grants encourage collaboration between marine park users, communities, researchers, industry, and First Nations organisations to achieve practical conservation outcomes. What Does the Program Support? Funding is intended for projects that contribute directly to the effective management and conservation of Australian Marine Parks.

Supported activities may include:

Improving community participation in marine park management. Supporting First Nations stewardship of Sea Country. Strengthening sustainable fishing and seafood practices. Supporting marine science, monitoring, and research. Building partnerships between communities, scientists, industry, and government. Improving the long-term health and resilience of marine ecosystems. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection to the objectives and management priorities of relevant Australian Marine Parks. Round 5 Funding Round 5 provides substantial funding for eligible marine conservation and management initiatives.

Key funding details include:

Minimum grant: $50,000

Maximum grant: $500,000

Total Round 5 funding pool: $5.6 million

Focus: Australian Marine Parks management, conservation, stewardship, sustainable use, and community participation

The size of the grant requested should be appropriate to the project’s activities, scale, outcomes, and delivery capacity. Why Does the Our Marine Parks Grants Program Matter? Australia’s Marine Parks protect areas of high ecological and cultural importance while supporting activities such as tourism, recreation, fishing, and scientific research. The program helps bridge the gap between marine conservation and practical management by involving people and organisations with direct knowledge and connections to marine environments. Build stronger partnerships among marine stakeholders. Who Can Benefit From the Program? The program encourages participation from a broad range of stakeholders involved in Australian Marine Parks. Potential participants and partners may include: Regional and local communities First Nations organisations Tourism operators and organisations Scientists and research organisations Fishing and seafood industries Conservation organisations Marine and environmental groups Other organisations involved in marine park management Applicants should ensure that their proposed project and organisation meet the detailed eligibility requirements of Round 5. Key Project Areas First Nations Sea Country Stewardship The program supports greater involvement of First Nations organisations in the management and stewardship of traditional land and Sea Country. Projects can help incorporate Indigenous knowledge, leadership, cultural values, and stewardship practices into marine conservation and management. Sustainable Fishing Projects can contribute to more sustainable fishing and seafood practices while supporting the long-term health of marine ecosystems. This can include practical approaches that improve understanding, management, or sustainability of marine resources. Marine Conservation Funding can support practical and innovative conservation activities designed to protect marine biodiversity and improve ecosystem health. Projects should demonstrate measurable or clearly defined conservation benefits. Marine Research and Knowledge Better information about marine ecosystems is essential for effective marine park management.

Projects can help increase knowledge of:

Marine habitats Species and biodiversity Ecosystem processes Conservation priorities Human impacts Sustainable management approaches Community Engagement The program recognises that effective marine park management depends on meaningful engagement with people who live, work, operate businesses, or undertake recreational activities in marine park regions. Projects can strengthen community participation, awareness, collaboration, and stewardship. How the Our Marine Parks Grants Program Works Applicants should structure their projects around the management objectives of the relevant Australian Marine Parks.

A typical application process involves:

Identify the relevant Marine Park: Determine which Australian Marine Park or parks your project will address.

Review management priorities: Check the applicable management plan and identify the relevant conservation or management objective.

Develop the project: Define the problem, proposed activities, target beneficiaries, expected outcomes, and timeframe.

Establish partnerships: Where appropriate, work with First Nations organisations, communities, researchers, industry, tourism operators, or conservation groups.

Prepare the budget: Develop a realistic project budget within the $50,000–$500,000 grant range.

Demonstrate impact: Explain how the project will contribute to marine conservation, sustainable use, stewardship, knowledge, or management.

Submit the application: Provide all required information and supporting documents before the Round 5 deadline.

What Makes a Strong Project? A competitive proposal should clearly demonstrate: Strong alignment with Australian Marine Parks management objectives. A clearly defi