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.
Call for project proposals: The International Seabed Authority at 30
At its second meeting, the Board of the ISA Partnership Fund decided the open a special call for projects to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ISA. This call for proposals aims at showcasing the unique contribution provided by ISA to ocean governance, knowledge and protection.
In line with the four pillars of ISA mandate, the Fund will accept project proposals pertaining to the following topics:
- Regulation and management of mineral-related activities in the Area;
- Marine scientific research in the Area;
- Protection of the marine environment in the Area;
- Equitable sharing of benefits deriving from activities in the Area.
In the light of the peculiar importance ISA attaches to the promotion of increased participation of women in ocean affairs, the ISA Partnership Fund also accepts project proposals on the topic “Contribution of ISA to the empowerment of women, especially from Least developed countries (LDC), Land-locked developing countries (LLDC) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) countries, in ocean affairs including ocean governance and deep-sea research.”
The ISA Partnership Fund accepts proposals under the following three categories:
- Category 1: project proposals for a total budget not exceeding 20,000 USD
- Category 2: project proposals for a total budget not exceeding 50,000 USD
- Category 3: project proposals for a total budget not exceeding 100,000 USD
Call for project proposals | Proposals must be submitted no later than 30 April 2024 at isapf@isa.org.jm.
Call for projects – Second Partnership Board Meeting (January 2024)
Open calls for projects
No open calls at this time.
Projects under implementation
- Diplomatic Deep-sea Academy for African Diplomats USD 170,000
- Development of a data visualization platform of the Area for the benefit of humankind – USD 125,000
- Enhancing and leveraging the knowledge of African experts in deep-sea research through the establishment of the ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre USD 100,000 – Call for applications to the Training course on Environmental Impact Assessment for exploration activities carried out in the Area | Application Form | Deadline: 31 May 2024
- Promoting deep-sea research in the Indian Ocean to advance knowledge and understanding in support of seabed minerals exploration USD 52,500
- Advancing Caribbean Blue Economy through the Centre for Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy USD 100,000
Completed projects
No calls have been closed at this time.
Call for projects – First Partnership Board Meeting (June 2023)
Open calls for projects
No open projects at this time.
Projects under implementation
- Enhancing capacity and knowledge-sharing in meiofauna research through the establishment of a “MeioScool” in partnership with Ifremer
Funding allocated: USD172,000 - Development of a training course on environmental impact assessment for activities carried out in the Area
Funding allocated: USD100,000 - Building and developing capacities of least developed countries in deep-sea related sciences, technology and innovation in support of the sustainable development of blue emerging economies
Funding allocated: USD55,000
(i) the three-month deployment of two experts from LDCs.
(ii) the three-month fellowship of two experts from LDCs.
Completed projects
No calls have been closed at this time.
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.
Mr. José Dallo
Director, OEMMR, ISA Secretariat
Dr. Marie Bourrel-McKinnon
Chief of Staff & Head of Strategic Planning Unit, ISA Secretariat
Mr. Erasmo Lara Cabrera
Chair, ISA Legal and Technical Commission
Dr. Wan-hyun Choi
President, MABIK, Republic of Korea
Ms. Jorun Sigrid Nossum
Leader, Department for Climate and Environment, section Oceans, NORAD, Norway
Rear Admiral Md. Kurshed Alam
Secretary, Maritime Affairs Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh
(LDC) and Chair, ISA Finance Committee
Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal
Foreign Secretary, Nepal
(LLDC)
H.E. Mr. Dwight CR Gardiner
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Antigua and Barbuda
(SIDS)
H.E. Mr. Neville Gertze
Permanent Representative of Namibia to ISA
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).
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.
Closed capacity development Funds
New call for project proposals!
- Call for project proposals: ISA at 30 | Proposals must be submitted no later than 30 April 2024 at isapf@isa.org.jm
Call for applications
- Enhancing and leveraging the knowledge of African experts in deep-sea research through the establishment of the ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre USD 100,000 – Call for applications to the Training course on Environmental Impact Assessment for exploration activities carried out in the Area | Application Form | Deadline: 31 May 2024
