Terms and Conditions:  Seaful Ocean Citizen Award

 

1. Eligibility

1.1 Applicants must be aged 16–25 at the time of application.

1.2 The award is open to any young person with a demonstrated interest in ocean conservation, marine protection, or ocean advocacy, regardless of whether they have previously engaged with Seaful.

1.3 Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

  • A passion for the ocean, nature connection, and/or marine conservation
  • A clear idea of how the award would support their development as an ocean advocate
  • Realistic and achievable plans for how the funding would be used

2. Award Details

2.1. The award provides up to £2,000 of funded activities, training, travel, or essential equipment to support the recipient’s development as an Ocean Citizen.

 2.2 Examples of eligible costs include, but are not limited to:

  • Professional certifications (e.g., scuba diving qualifications, freediving, wildlife ID training)
  • Educational courses related to marine conservation or advocacy
  • Travel and accommodation costs directly connected to an agreed volunteer placement, course, or project
  • Living costs associated with undertaking an approved volunteer placement away from home
  • Essential equipment (e.g., snorkel kit, outdoor kit, photography equipment)
  • Training materials and required resources

2.3 Examples of costs not covered:

  • Cash payments to recipients
  • General living costs  
  • Activities not connected to ocean advocacy, conservation or education
  • Unapproved additional travel or leisure activities

2.4 Additional support includes:

  • Blue Health Coaching
  • Ocean Advocacy mentoring
  • Speakers Trust training (subject to availability)

2.4. All payments will be made directly by Seaful to service providers/vendors 

2.5. No direct financial payments will be made to award recipients

 

  1. Application Process

 

3.1. Key Dates:

  •    Applications open: January 1st, 2026
  •    Applications close: February 28th, 2026, 23:59 GMT
  •     Shortlisting: March 2026
  •     Final decisions: March/April 2026
  •     Award announcements: April 2026

3.2. Stage One: Initial Application Form

  •     Must be submitted by February 28th, 2026, 23:59 GMT
  •     Late applications will not be considered
  •     All form sections must be fully completed

 

3.3. Stage Two: Shortlisting

  •     Shortlisted candidates will be notified in March 2026
  •     Additional information may be requested
  •     Those not shortlisted will be notified by email

 

3.4. Stage Three: Final Selection

  •     Trustees & board will make final selections in March/April 2026
  •     All applicants will be notified of the outcome
  •     A maximum of two recipients will be chosen

4. Evaluation Criteria

4.1. Applications will be evaluated based on:

Primary Criteria:

  • Potential for personal and professional development
  • Clear future advocacy vision
  • Demonstrated passion for ocean conservation
  • Realistic goals and feasible plans

Financial Need:

  • Evidence that the award would be transformational
  • Demonstration that funding is a genuine barrier to achieving goals
  • Clear and reasonable cost breakdown

Project Feasibility:

  • Practical and well-planned proposal
  • Realistic timelines
  • Appropriate use of resources

Community Impact:

  • Potential benefits for wider ocean community
  • Plans to share learning or inspire others

 

5. Award Requirements

5.1 Recipients must:

  • Coordinate all purchases and bookings through Seaful
  • Provide documentation for payments
  • Begin funded activities within 12 months

5.2 Check-ins & Reflection

 Recipients must:

  • Attend check-ins at months 1, 3, 6 and 12
  • Complete short reflective prompts (sent separately) to help track progress and ensure support needs are met

5.3 End of Award Output

 Recipients will produce at least one storytelling piece (e.g., blog, short video, photo essay) to be shared on Seaful channels.

5.4 Maintain communication with Seaful throughout the year.

 

6. General Conditions

6.1. Recipients must:

  • Maintain appropriate standards of conduct
  • Act as responsible representatives of Seaful
  • Not engage in any activity that could bring Seaful into disrepute
  • Use social media responsibly when representing Seaful

6.2. The charity reserves the right to withdraw the award if terms are breached or if the recipient’s conduct damages Seaful’s reputation

6.3. Any changes to proposed activities must be approved in writing/email by Seaful

7. Privacy and Data Protection

7.1. All personal data will be processed in accordance with current GDPR  legislation 

7.2. Application materials, including videos and written submissions, will be shared only with Seaful board 

7.3. Recipients’ names and stories may be published unless specifically requested otherwise

8. Amendments

8.1. Seaful reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions 

8.2. Any changes will be communicated to applicants in writing

Seaful accepts no responsibility for any activities undertaken or as a result of applying for the award. 

Participants enter at their own risk.

The decision of the Trustees and Board of Seaful is final, without appeal and without having to give reasons for choice of recipient(s).