The increasing importance of human knowledge of the ocean invites more focus on applied and practical research. However, we are just beginning to understand the ocean, which could be called the last frontier for discovery. Ocean Shot will provide large-scale support for research leading to discoveries from two perspectives.

In the ocean, new species are being discovered every year. Newly discovered marine organisms range widely across microorganisms, fish, and marine mammals, with a new species of the large baleen whale having been discovered this century by Japanese researchers. While species classification has been a field for which funding has been difficult to obtain, it is the basis for the biological sciences. There are many marine organisms whose existence is known but still veiled in mystery. We encourage researchers to solve the various riddles surrounding such organisms, especially concerning their distribution, reproduction, development, ecology, life-stories, and evolution. In recent years, the oceans have been rapidly changing due to global warming and other factors, and the effects of these changes are affecting marine life. Research for their discovery needs to be promoted urgently, as objects that should be discovered may be lost without their existence even being known.
 
We also welcome discoveries focusing on biodiversity and ecosystems, including aspects of their flora and fauna. We hope applicants will discover new functions and mechanisms among systems formed out of the complicated interweaving and balance of diverse organisms, as seen in coral reefs, or in systems on which our knowledge has made little progress, such as deep seabed fauna, etc.
 
We include in the research focus those organisms that have only recently become extinct as well as those species that disappeared in ancient or even primeval times. For example, the ten-ton Steller’s sea cow is thought to have been hunted to extinction in the 18^th century. Using modern technology, it is possible to digitally recreate the life-histories of extinct animals. We look forward to new discoveries about the ecology of sea animals from the past.

New technologies and their combinations are effective in leading to new discoveries.　Steady progress is also being made in analytical techniques capable of revealing phenomena previously buried under mountains of data. Mankind has sent space probes to the moon and Mars, making detailed maps possible, but the topography of the world’s ocean is still inadequately known. Also, the monitoring and sampling activities under high-pressure conditions is far more difficult than on land, and the development costs for equipment may be prohibitive. As the collected data is preserved with time resolution up to a minute, efforts must be made for its cross-sectoral use. If big data can be obtained, there is still the task of discovering within it what is of value in deepening our understanding of the ocean. For the discovery, in a timely manner, of the various phenomena and functions to be found in a dynamically changing ocean, the current level of our technologies is insufficient. We welcome proposals for developing new technologies that facilitate ocean discoveries from existing data or data sets.

(1) To achieve the above objectives, the applicant must be capable of organizing a team from one or more research organizations.
(2) As a rule, the organization must be a non-profit. 
(3) Applicants must be able to manage progress of all aspects of the joint team’s research. 
(4) Applicants must have capacity to manage research funds. 
(5) In cases of joint application, applicants must be capable of allocating budgets to joint representative research organizations (remittances) and compiling a financial report for the whole research team.

(1) Must have capacity to manage research progress on assigned project.
(2) Must have capacity to manage allocated research funds. 

We highly value applications that involve organizations from multiple countries. Additionally, applicants should keep in mind that it is highly desirable to include in the project either one or several persons (regardless of nationality) affiliated with organizations from Japan (irrespective of their status as for-profit, non-profit, or research-oriented) or Japanese person(s) affiliated with overseas organization(s).

This research grant project will be administered over a period divided into three Phases. The 1^st Phase will extend from April 2025 to the end of March 2026, the 2^nd Phase from April 2026 to the end of March 2027, and the 3^rd Phase from April 2027 to the end of March 2028.
 
As each Project completes a Phase, it will be evaluated, and after examination a decision will be made as to its adoption for the next Phase and regarding its budget and allocations.
Feasibility Studies (FS) may be selected from projects submitted as Proper Projects based on the assessment committee's evaluation. For research projects accepted as Feasibility Study (FS) projects to progress to the 2^nd Phase, an Interim Report on research results must be submitted in the latter half of the 1^st Phase and be favorably evaluated by the committee. Applications solely for FS will not be accepted.

The upper limit of the grant amount for a single Project, with a maximum duration of 3 years (from Phase 1 to Phase 3), will be US$3,000,000. This is the total for the duration of all the Phases and includes any indirect expenses incurred. We plan to accept around two Proper Project proposals. The upper limit for the Feasibility Studies (FS)  grants will be US$300,000.
As a result of the evaluation, adoption may be at a smaller grant amount than at the time of application.

The estimate of the outsource vendor should be compiled and attached as a separate document. The currency used in the representative organization’s estimate and that in the outsource vendor’s estimate should be made the same, either US Dollars or Japanese Yen, and they should be included in a single document.

Period for acceptance of applications: applications will be received from 9:00am on Monday, June 17, 2024 to 5:00pm on Saturday, August 31, 2024 (Japan time). If a confirmation email is not received within few days after application is made, please contact us.
Application procedure: Download the application files from the website (https://www.spf.org/opri-intl/project/oceanshot.html), fill in all necessary sections, and send the files attached to an email to oceanshot@spf.or.jp (all texts should be in English).

Application forms (zip file, 70.2kB)

September-October 2024: preliminary screening (first review)
November-December 2024: Document review and Interviews (second review) and notification of results
April 2025: Start of grant
 
*The interview stage of the secondary review may be omitted.
Please kindly abstain from enquiries about adoption or non-adoption of proposals before the public announcement of results.

There are several conditions and other important matters concerning implementation of the grant project. Please take careful note of the following at the time of application.
 

1. Regarding Observance of the Grant Contract

Once a decision is made regarding the grant project proposal, a Grant Contract with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation will be concluded. To avoid a demand for return of grant funds, please strictly observe all stipulations of the Grant Contract. A sample of the contract can be found [here]. The contents of the contract are, as a rule, not subject to change.
Also, please be aware that there is a Duty of Due Care for five years after conclusion of the grant project for all documents related to the project or articles acquired thereby.
 

2. Grant Reference

On the release of scientific papers or in other presentations, acknowledgement must be made of the support received. Reference to the grant must appear in a form to be determined by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
 

3. Interim and Final Report for Administrative Purposes

Grantees shall submit an Interim Report for administrative purposes (including income and expenditure statements) to the Foundation by the dates determined in the Agreement. A Final Report for administrative purposes (including income and expenditure statements) must be submitted within 15 days of the project’s completion.
 
4）Audit and Project Assessment
Audits of the research contents and research funds may be carried out upon completion of the grant project. Also, in the interest of better implementation of future projects, a project assessment will be carried out. Result of the audits and project assessments will appear on the website.
 
5）Regarding the Handling of Personal Information
Personal information submitted during the application process will be used by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, in accordance with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation Personal Information Protection Policy, for administrative purposes, calls for grant submissions, advertisements of Sasakawa Peace Foundation related events, the conducting of surveys, and various announcements.
 
6）Release of Research Results
Upon completion of the Report on research results (in English), it will appear on the website of the Foundation in a timely manner.
 
7）Intellectual Property Matters
The Foundation requires advance notice of any transfer or formation of intellectual property rights for five years from the completion of the research.

We may ask to share the results of the adopted research projects with projects such as The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, a global initiative for the discovery of unknown marine life established by the Nippon Foundation and the Nekton Foundation, and The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030, an international project aiming to complete 100% global seabed topographic mapping by 2030. The method of sharing, etc. will be discussed separately after the research projects are adopted.
 

The Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Mail: dedicated Grant Project address: oceanshot@spf.or.jp
(Please consult FAQ section before making direct enquiries.)