The Blue Climate Initiative (BCI) is welcoming applications from innovators and entrepreneurs for the global US$1 Million Ocean Innovation Prize. The Prize is designed to inspire, fund and support innovations that mitigate climate change through ocean-related strategies. 3 to 8 winners will received between $150 and $400k per winner. The deadline for applications is September 15, 2021.
The Prize is presented by BCI as part of an endorsed program of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and is designed to advance the goals of the Ocean Decade and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Prize is presented in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.
The Ocean Innovation Prize (OIP) will be awarded for market-based innovation that addresses climate change mitigation through human-centered, ocean-related solutions, inspired by the Blue Climate Initiative’s 40+ Transformational Opportunities. The proposals must incorporate an innovative technology, practice, model, approach or idea that is capable of being scaled to have an impact on climate change. Applicants can represent a for-profit, non-profit, an individual or a group of collaborators. Commercial viability and scale potential can be demonstrated through products/services for consumers, for businesses, for governments or for other entities. The BCI takes a holistic view of “innovation” -- a new or under-used technology, practice, model, approach or idea -- and “science” -- evidence-based knowledge encompassing a broad range of areas including, for example, biology, engineering, chemistry, social sciences, etc. The offering must have proof of concept or early momentum and must be able to be implemented within 1 year, achieve results within 1-3 years, be co-designed or co-delivered by knowledge generators and users, and be designed to scale within 2-4 years.
Approximately 16 semi-finalists will receive:
3-8 winners will receive all of the above, and in addition:
Applicants are encouraged to apply as a business/organization represented by a member of their leadership team. Alternatively, an individual or set of collaborators may apply on their own where they provide a credible plan for scaling and commercializing the innovation. The prize is global; applicants can be from anywhere in the world -- including and especially Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. The BCI will put emphasis on diversity and equity in its promotion and selection, including race, gender, generational, and geographic diversity.
For innovations offered via a business/organization, that entity must:
The key individuals involved in the innovation must:
All proposed innovations must demonstrate a direct contribution to climate change mitigation or they will not be considered. Applications will then be judged according to six criteria: impact potential, innovation, profitability and scalability, capacity & feasibility, alignment with Ocean Innovation Prize (OIP) principles, and the value of OIP support to the innovation and its team. Judges will also take into account a diversity consideration to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion across the portfolio of semi-finalists and winners.
