UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge 2026
By United Nations Development Programme
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Quick Answer
Up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh) each for up to 10 private-sector ocean solutions delivered in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand or Viet Nam. Closes 15 November 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- 11d — 16 Nov 2026
- Location
- International
About this competition
The UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC), 5th Call is run by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) for this round. It backs private-sector organisations with implementation-ready solutions to ocean and coastal problems. Up to 10 innovators are selected, each receiving up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh). The call closes on 15 November 2026 at 23:59 New York time, which is 10:29 AM IST on 16 November 2026. An important point for Indian applicants: the lead company can be based anywhere, but the work must be carried out in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand or Viet Nam.
What the program offers
Each selected innovator can receive up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh) through a deliverable-based contract under UNDP's Model Innovation Challenge Agreement. That means money is released as agreed deliverables are completed and approved, not as a lump sum upfront. Innovators also send monthly progress notes and a final report.
Alongside the money, the listing describes up to 17 months of implementation and incubation support, expert mentoring and connections to investors. You must bring confirmed co-financing, in cash or in kind, of at least 50% of the amount you ask UNDP for, so this is not a full-cost grant.
Who can apply
The lead applicant must be a legally registered private-sector organisation: a start-up, small or medium enterprise, private company or social enterprise. Individuals cannot apply. Universities, research institutions, NGOs and government agencies can join a consortium as partners but cannot lead. Only one proposal per organisation is accepted, and women-led and youth-led or owned innovations get preference.
The solution must fit one of three themes. Marine Pollution Reduction covers preventing, reducing, recovering or managing pollution such as plastics, ghost fishing gear and wastewater. Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Restoration covers coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows and coastal wetlands. Sustainable Blue Economy covers sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, eco-tourism, blue biotechnology, circular approaches and ocean data. The solution must be implementation-ready, meaning it is ready to be put into action and not just an idea.
The lead applicant does not need to come from the target countries, so an Indian startup can lead. The solution must benefit and be implemented in at least one of the five countries, with the acceptance of the local government authorities. Partnering with local organisations is strongly encouraged. It suits startups with a working ocean or coastal technology and a local partner. It does not suit teams that only have an early idea, individuals or purely India-based projects.
How to apply
Read the 5th Call page, the Guidance document and the FAQ on the OIC website first. Then prepare the required documents using only the official templates: application form, results framework, work plan, a detailed and itemised budget, co-financing declaration, organisational capacity assessment, integrity declaration and UNDP's social and environmental risk checklist. Submit through the online proposal form, which needs a Google sign-in, before the deadline. The form can be edited until the deadline. A practical tip: line up your co-financing evidence and your local partner early, because they take time to arrange.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Proposals go through an administrative compliance check and an eligibility check. The OIC Technical Review Board then scores them against 11 published criteria. A proposal needs at least 70 out of 100 overall, and at least 5 out of 10 on six priority criteria, to continue. Shortlisted proposals face a value-for-money review, including whether the co-financing is adequate, and a due-diligence check of legal status, finances and capacity. Up to 10 proposals are selected, with a balance across the three themes. Winners are expected to be announced by the first quarter of 2027.
About UNDP and the Ocean Innovation Challenge
UNDP is the United Nations' development agency, headquartered in New York. The Ocean Innovation Challenge is its programme to find and support private-sector ocean solutions. For this round, Sida, the Swedish development agency, provides the funding.
Things to check before you apply
- The 50% co-financing must be confirmed at the time of application.
- Your solution must work in the listed countries and have government authority acceptance there.
- The listing refers to the deadline in New York time, so allow for the time difference.
- The official page could not be opened when this listing was reviewed (it returned an empty page), so confirm the amounts, themes and dates on the OIC website before you invest time.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
Each selected innovator receives up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh) through a deliverable-based contract under UNDP's Model Innovation Challenge Agreement; payments are made once agreed deliverables are completed and approved. You also get up to 17 months of implementation and incubation support, technical mentoring, project management and reporting help, communications support, fundraising and investment-readiness mentoring, and introductions to investors and development partners. Eligible costs include staff, consultants, travel, equipment, communications, meetings and training; overheads are not covered.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Cohort size
- 10 startups
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Proposals go through an administrative compliance review, eligibility screening and a technical evaluation by the OIC Technical Review Board against 11 published criteria. A proposal must score at least 70 out of 100, and at least 5 out of 10 on six priority criteria, to move on. Shortlisted proposals then get a value-for-money review and a due-diligence check. Up to 10 are selected, balanced across the three themes, and announced by the first quarter of 2027.
Application Process
- 1
Submit proposal
Submit the online form and all annexes by 15 November 2026 (New York time).
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge?
Legally registered private-sector organisations such as start-ups, SMEs, private companies and social enterprises can lead a proposal. Individuals cannot apply. Universities, NGOs and government agencies can only join as consortium partners.
Can Indian startups apply for the Ocean Innovation Challenge?
Yes, the lead applicant does not need to be from the target countries, so an Indian startup can lead. However, the innovation must be implemented in at least one of Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand or Viet Nam, with the acceptance of local government authorities. Work done only in India would not qualify.
How much funding does the Ocean Innovation Challenge give?
Up to 10 innovators are selected and each can receive up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh). You must also bring confirmed co-financing of at least 50% of the amount you request.
How is the Ocean Innovation Challenge money paid?
Payment is through a deliverable-based contract under UNDP's Model Innovation Challenge Agreement. Money depends on completing, submitting and getting approval for the agreed deliverables. Innovators also send monthly progress notes and a final report.
What is the deadline for the Ocean Innovation Challenge, and what if it has passed?
The call closes on 15 November 2026 at 23:59 New York time, which is 10:29 AM IST on 16 November 2026. The material available has no statement of a next call in the material available, so if you miss it, watch the OIC website.
Is the Ocean Innovation Challenge a grant or equity?
It is funding through a contract paid against deliverables, and the information available describes no equity being taken. It is not a free gift, though, since you must co-finance at least half of the amount requested.
What documents do I need for the Ocean Innovation Challenge?
You need an application form, results framework, work plan, itemised budget, co-financing declaration, organisational capacity assessment, integrity declaration and a UNDP social and environmental risk checklist. Use only the official templates. Proposals go in through an online form that needs a Google sign-in.
Do I have to travel to take part in the Ocean Innovation Challenge?
There is no travel requirement for applying, since the process is an online form. If selected, you must carry out the work in at least one of the five target countries, so some travel there is likely. The information available does not describe other travel.
Is it free to apply to the Ocean Innovation Challenge?
The information available does not mention an application fee. Check the Guidance document and FAQ on the OIC website to be sure.
When will the Ocean Innovation Challenge winners be announced?
Winners are expected to be announced by the first quarter of 2027. Selected innovators then sign a deliverable-based contract. Support for up to 17 months follows.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
