ISA Partnership Fund
Overview
ISA Partnership Fund is a multi-donor trust fund established on 3 August 2022 by the ISA Assembly during its 27th session (ISBA/27/A/10). The Fund aims to promote and encourage marine scientific research in the Area for the benefit of humankind and to contribute to dedicated capacity development programmes and activities aligned with the priority needs identified by developing States members of ISA.
Terms of reference of the Partnership Fund [ISBA/ST/SGB/2022/1]
The Partnership Fund supersedes the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific Research in the Area, following the review by the Finance Committee (ISBA/27/A/8-ISBA/27/C/36).
Objectives
The ISA Partnership Fund aims to:
- promote marine scientific research in the Area for the benefit of humankind
- provide qualified scientists and technical personnel from developing countries with opportunities to participate in international marine scientific research programmes
- finance the design, development and implementation of development programmes and activities aligned with the priority needs identified by developing States Members of ISA
- contribute to the implementation of the Action Plan in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
- enhance ISA’s contributions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Activities eligible for funding
The development and implementation of marine scientific research programmes in the Area, in line with the strategic research priorities identified in the ISA Action Plan in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which will benefit qualified scientists and technical personnel as well as relevant national and regional institutions from developing countries and regions.
The development and implementation of training programmes in line with the decision of the Assembly relating to the implementation of a programmatic approach to capacity development, particularly those addressing the priority needs for capacity development identified by developing States members of ISA.
The development and implementation of technical assistance programmes and activities that will enhance the implementation of the ISA Strategic Plan for 2019-2023, the High-Level Action Plan, the Action Plan for Marine Scientific Research and the programmatic approach to capacity development.
The engagement of multilevel partnerships on the conduct of marine scientific research programmes in the Area and dissemination and sharing of their results with interested Member States, contractors, relevant ocean industry sectors, the United Nations and its funds and programmes, relevant subregional, regional and international organizations, scientific communities and relevant civil society organizations.
ISA Partnership Fund may finance eligible expenditures for ISA-executed activities, such as staff costs, contractual services, equipment and office premises lease costs, media, workshops, conferences and meetings, and travel expenses. All recipient-executed activities funded by ISA must be in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures of ISA.
Fifth Partnership Fund Board Meeting (December 2025)
Integrated Capacity Development on science related to the development and implementation of Regional Environmental Management Plans
This project supports the scientific and technical capacity needed to develop and implement Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs). It focuses on spatial planning, taxonomic standardization and applied expertise, delivering two international workshops and e-learning modules, with a primary focus on the Indian Ocean and lessons drawn from the Northwest Pacific and the Clarion-Clipperton Zone.
Status: Ongoing (2026 cycle), a REMP Science Training Workshop is scheduled for September, 2026 in Alexandria, Egypt.
Digital Transformation of ISA web platforms to advance marine science research and capacity building initiatives
This project modernizes ISA’s digital ecosystem so that its web platforms are fit for governance, marine scientific research, capacity development and data management.
Status: Ongoing.
P-SIDS Initiative for Blue Economy
This initiative builds on the Abyssal Initiative for Blue Growth and earlier UNDESA–ISA cooperation to operationalize governance tools that strengthen Pacific SIDS’ participation in deep-sea mineral-related activities. Outputs include a Toolkit on Sponsoring States’ Roles and Responsibilities, negotiation guidelines, capacity-building workshops and a regional consultation.
Status: Workshop conducted in Fiji in April, 2026.
Fourth Partnership Fund Board Meeting (November 2024)
No new proposals were approved at this meeting. The Board endorsed refinements on existing proposals and requested resubmission of the three new projects.
Third Partnership Fund Board Meeting (July 2024)
Women in Blue: training opportunities in ocean science
Implemented with the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, this initiative addresses gender imbalances in access to advanced training and field-based research for women scientists from developing States. It combined a winter school on marine geology in Bologna with an oceanographic research cruise aboard the CNR vessel Gaia Blu, benefiting scientists from countries including Bangladesh, Nigeria and Mauritius.
Status: Completed. Face-to-face training was conducted in January 2025, and the research cruise was completed in August 2025.
From surface to depth: fostering deep-sea literacy in Mozambique’s Early Career Ocean Professional Network Programme
In partnership with the Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Network Programme and Centro de Pesquisa e Tecnologias Marinhas de Moçambique, this project builds deep-sea literacy and capacity among early career ocean professionals in Mozambique. It focuses on education, mentorship and diversity, connecting emerging professionals with experienced marine scientists.
Status: Pending on account of the Centro de Pesquisa e Tecnologias Marinhas de Moçambique not able to open a registered bank account instead of a personal one.
Women in Science Expedition (WISE)
Delivered with the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, WISE strengthens women’s leadership and technical capacity in deep-sea research while advancing knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems in the Southwest Pacific. Women scientists participated in at-sea research including benthic sampling and biodiversity surveys at depths of up to around 5,000 metres.
Status: Completed. The cruise was carried out by the partner independently of ISA; a portion of the second phase incorporating the findings was presented at a workshop in Fiji.
A methodology for adaptive management of deep-sea mining sediment plumes
In partnership with At-Depth LLC, this project develops a structured, science-based methodological framework for the adaptive management of sediment plumes generated during deep-sea mining. It integrates baseline data, real-time monitoring, thresholds and feedback mechanisms to support evidence-based regulatory decision-making.
Status: Ongoing, with completion expected in 2026.
Second Partnership Fund Board Meeting (January 2024)
Development of a data visualization platform of the Area for the benefit of Humankind
Building on ISA’s DeepData database, this project develops a visualization of data collected by contractors to make the scale and value of activities in the Area accessible to the public. It supports ISA’s Article 144 duty to disseminate research results and aims to increase informed engagement with the Authority’s work.
Status: Ongoing. Technical development is complete and the project is in its final demonstration and review phase (around 90% complete, pending final Secretariat review).
African Academy for Deep-Sea Diplomacy (ADSEA)
Established under an MoU with the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC), ADSEA strengthens African States’ legal, institutional and policy capacity to engage in governance of the Area. The inaugural cohort trained 26 early-to-mid-career diplomats from 16 African States through a blended programme of online and in-person learning, including simulations of ISA processes.
Status: Completed. The online and in-person phases were delivered in October 2025 and February 2026 (Yaoundé) respectively; a second phase to build a mentorship community is under consideration.
Enhancing and leveraging the knowledge of African experts in deep-sea research through the establishment of the ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre
This partnership enhances and leverages the knowledge of African experts in deep-sea research through a joint training and research centre, supporting participants from developing States. The initial training brought together trainees from developing countries and connected to other Fund activities such as Women in Blue.
Status: Completed (100% disbursed). Initial training was held 14–26 September 2024; a second phase is being planned with a focus on Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs) and greater engagement of LDCs and LLDCs.
Promoting deep-sea research in the Indian Ocean to advance knowledge and understanding in support of seabed minerals exploration
This project addresses the limited scientific understanding of the Indian Ocean seabed and its significance for surrounding States, particularly Big Ocean States (BOS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It works to strengthen knowledge and capacity related to seabed environments by enhancing marine scientific research, providing targeted training, improving access to maritime information, and developing innovative approaches to anticipate the impacts of climate change on the blue economy.
Status: Ongoing
Advancing Caribbean blue economy through the Centre for Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy
Delivered with the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, this project strengthens institutional, scientific and human capacity for marine scientific research and sustainable blue economy development in the Caribbean. A regional expert workshop brought together 11 CARICOM SIDS to identify gaps in deep-sea exploration, research, technology transfer and data access, and to develop a regional roadmap.
Status: Phase I completed. A strategic regional roadmap for marine scientific research (2025–2030) was adopted at a November 2024 workshop.
First Partnership Fund Board Meeting (June 2023)
Development of a training course on environmental impact assessment for activities carried out in the Area
Developed in partnership with DHI Water & Environment, this two-week course equipped participants with the legal, technical and practical tools to conduct, review and manage environmental impact assessments for exploration activities in the Area. It included a handbook, toolkit and learning materials, and trained 18 government experts and researchers from all regions, including participants from LDCs and SIDS.
Status: Completed. A second phase is planned to include a more advanced focus on environmental management.
Building and developing capacities of LDCs in deep-sea-related sciences, technology and innovation in support of the sustainable development of blue emerging economies
Delivered with the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries, this project supported human and institutional capacity in LDCs through professional deployments and research fellowships within the ISA Secretariat. National experts contributed to scientific and legal work on activities in the Area, with knowledge transferred back to national contexts.
Status: Completed. Two national experts (from Tanzania and Nepal) were deployed and two research fellowships awarded, concluding in the 2024/2025 cycle.
Feasibility Study on Early Warning Signals to Assess Deep-Sea Ecosystem Resilience
Status: Ongoing.
Enhancing capacity and knowledge-sharing in meiofauna research through the establishment of a “MeioScool”
Implemented with Ifremer, MeioScool strengthens expertise in meiofauna research through doctoral-level training and targeted skills development, supporting the next generation of deep-sea researchers. It brings together meiofaunal experts to raise awareness of the role of meiofauna in marine ecosystems.
Status: Under implementation (extended). Doctoral fellowships are in progress with candidates selected from Brazil and Argentina; and a MeioScool workshop was hosted in France in April 2026.
Framework for application to ISAPF by external stakeholders
At its second meeting, the ISA Partnership Fund Board adopted a framework for application to ISA Partnership Fund by external stakeholder. The framework is intended to regulate the participation of ISA stakeholders to the calls for project proposals opened by the Board. In line with the specific topic of the call, additional eligibility criteria and applications procedures might apply.
Partnership Fund Board
A Partnership Board is established to provide strategic guidance and direction on implementing the Partnership Fund activities and endorse strategic priorities. It consists of two representatives of the Secretariat, the Chairs of the Finance Committee and the Legal and Technical Commission and eight representatives of Member States, including the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) or small island developing States (SIDS). Donors contributing to other ISA-administered trust funds may also be invited to participate in the discussions.
Dr. Erasmo A. Lara Cabrera
Chair of the ISA Legal and Technical Commission
H.E. Marcelo Balbi Calvo
Permanent Representative of Argentina to ISA
Dr. Wan-hyun Choi
President, MABIK, Republic of Korea
H.E. Mr. Dwight CR Gardiner
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Antigua and Barbuda
(SIDS)
Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu
Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the International Seabed Authority
Ambassador Duncan Muhummuza Laki
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations
Ms. Jorun Sigrid Nossum
Leader, Department for Climate and Environment, section Oceans, NORAD, Norway
Dr. Mario Sprovieri
Director of the Institute for Marine Science, Italian National Research Council
Professor Fang Yinxia
Director General of the Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
Mr. Kenneth Wong
Chair of the ISA Finance Committee
Mr. José Dallo
Director, OEMMR, ISA Secretariat
Mr. Yongsheng Cai
Director, Office of Contract Management and Capacity-Building
Contributions to the Fund
Contributions to the Fund can be made by any State, contractor, international organization, academic and scientific institution, private corporation, philanthropic entity or private individual.
Since 2022, the Fund has received contributions from France (USD122,124), Greece (USD52,520) the People’s Republic of China (USD20,000) and Mexico (USD10,000).
Potential donors can contribute to the Partnership Fund by:
1. Formally notifying the Authority of their intended contribution by emails to MadamSecretary-General@isa.org.jm indicating the amounts to be contributed and stating if the funds are earmarked for specific projects or unearmarked.
Contributions to the Fund can be deposited to the following bank account:
Name of Account Holder: International Seabed Authority
Bank Name: JPMorgan Chase Bank
Account Number: 000-000-899-308-032
Bank Address: 277 Park Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10172-0003, U.S.A.
Swift Code: CHASUS33
ABA: 021000021
2. Please advise the Authority when the contribution has been transferred. Once the transfer has been received, an official receipt will be issued.
Administration of the Fund
The Secretariat is responsible for providing indicative budget information, accounting and financial reporting, grants to recipients and supervision of activities financed under any grant agreement on the Partnership Fund website. ISA will enter into grant agreements with recipients and maintain separate records and ledger accounts for funds deposited in the Partnership Fund and disbursements made. The Secretariat is responsible for supervising activities financed under any grant agreement.
