In a nutshell
JPI Oceans has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ocean Matcher, marking a significant innovative step forward in connecting ocean research projects with philanthropic funding opportunities. The Ocean Matcher platform was officially launched on 10 June aboard the historic Statsraad Lehmkuhl vessel during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
Transforming Ocean Research Funding
Ocean Matcher is an innovative algorithm-driven platform designed to bridge the gap between high-quality ocean research projects and philanthropic foundations. Built by and for the Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue, a global network of over 30 institutions, the platform addresses a critical challenge in ocean science funding: connecting promising research ideas with foundations that often lack the time, contacts, and capacity to identify the most suitable projects to support.
"This collaboration marks an innovation in how ocean research is supported," said Thorsten Kiefer, Executive Director of JPI Oceans. "By combining our rigorous proposal review process with Ocean Matcher's smart matchmaking technology, we're creating new pathways for marine scientists to a novel funding source to address our most pressing marine challenges."
“This is a rare opportunity to utilise advanced technology for good” said Morten Sand, Executive Advisor, NoA. “It is truly inspiring to build a platform that empowers initiatives addressing the most urgent challenges facing our ocean ecosystems.”
Looking ahead
Under the newly signed MoU, JPI Oceans will share selected high-quality project proposals from its joint calls with Ocean Matcher's digital platform, subject to project coordinators' consent. Proposals that meet JPI Oceans' quality standards but are unable to receive funding due to budget constraints, are unfortunately a common inefficiency in competitive research funding environments. The collaboration with Ocean Matcher leverages JPI Oceans' established expertise in conducting joint calls for research and innovation proposals alongside Ocean Matcher's matching algorithms and partner network.
The initial one-year agreement establishes the framework for ongoing collaboration, with both organisations committed to regular consultation and communication to maximise the partnership's impact.
Ocean Matcher Funders:
- HUB Ocean
- Voice of the Ocean Foundation
- Lenfest Ocean Program
- Lloyd’s Register Foundation
- Baltic Sea Conservation Foundation
- Remmer Foundation
- International Foundation for Aids to Navigation
- Schmidt Ocean Institute
- Propeller VC
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- The Fishmongers’ Company
- REV Ocean
- UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)