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2026 cycle closed Feb 28 - check funder website for 2027 cycle opening
The International Nautical Archaeology Foundation (INAF) Grants are offered by the International Nautical Archaeology Foundation, a UK registered charity (No. 1210349) administered by the Nautical Archaeology Society. Funded by a $1 million donation from the Edward & Saryl Von der Porten Trust, INAF supports research, fieldwork, and public education in nautical archaeology worldwide.
Grants address practical funding gaps that arise during active projects, such as equipment rental, survey tools, and site access. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, registered charities, NGOs, archaeological groups, and individual researchers affiliated with qualifying institutions. Awards range from £500 to £20,000.
The inaugural grant programme opened January 1, 2026 and closed February 28, 2026.
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International Nautical Archaeology Foundation | Nautical Archaeology Society Skip over main navigation Nautical Archaeology Society Corporate Social Responsibility CovED Talks: NAS Weekly Webcast Bite-Sized Training For All Nautical Archaeology Quarterly Magazine International Journal of Nautical Archaeology Help support the Big Anchor Project International Nautical Archaeology Foundation The International Nautical Archaeology Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation No. 1210349 The International Nautical Archaeology Foundation (INAF) was created in 2024 t o advance the education of the public in the subject of nautical archaeology and to promote research for the public benefit in all aspects of the subject and to publish the useful results.
INAF has been created to facilitate the development of a grant giving programme with funds generated from an amazing $1million donation from the Edward & Saryl Von der Porten Trust, in the USA. INAF has been registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (No.1210349) and is being administered by the NAS, acting as a Corporate Trustee, with representatives of the donor family in the USA acting as Members of INAF.
The inaugural INAF grant programme opens on the 1st January 2026 and closes on 28th February 2026. About Edward & Saryl Von der Porten Edward and Saryl Von der Porten, were very involved in a number of nautical archaeology projects, some in major ways and some in much smaller ways. Bigger projects included the work on Francis Drake’s landing in California in 1579, building the museum element on the S.
S. Jeremiah O’Brien . and the San Juanillo in Baja California, Mexico.
Smaller involvements included a summer working on the Mary Rose . The funding difficulties they encountered included last minute needs to ensure a towable side-scan sonar fish and to rent an extra panga skiff to get to the Mexico site. They often wished there was a fund to which they could make a quick application and get a draw.
One of the aims of INAF is to be able to help with those types of expenses in addition to well-in-advance requests for research projects.
Read more about Edward and Saryl Von der Porten below Edward Von der Porten obituary here and San Francisco Chronicle article here Saryl Von der Porten obituary here The grant decision-making for the International Nautical Archaeology Foundation is to be done by a Grant Board consisting of six representatives from key nautical archaeology organisations around the world (“Board Members”).
Currently these six organisations are: East Carolina University, Department of History, Program in Maritime Studies, Greenville, North Carolina, USA Institute of Nautical Archaeology, College Station, Texas, USA Nautical Archaeology Society, Portsmouth, UK Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, Adelaide, SA, Australia Flinders University, SA, Australia Vasa Museum, Stockholm, Sweden A member of the Von der Porten family also sits on the Grant Board.
Board Members will individually recuse themselves from evaluating projects with which their individual organisations have a material connection. The Corporate Trustee will not be eligible to apply to the Fund.
Grant Purposes and Guidelines INAF will support nautical archaeological endeavours, broadly defined to include underwater, intertidal, and terrestrial archaeological work on nautical subjects, including, but not limited to, shipwrecks, cargos, fishing, harbours, & shipbuilding sites. Projects should have reasonable prospects for making significant contributions to knowledge of nautical archaeological matters, broadly defined.
The applicability of the knowledge that is likely to be gained to wide audiences should be a major consideration in the selection process. Narrow projects with only small specialised audiences do not fit within the purview of the Fund.
In addition to archaeology fieldwork, laboratory work, creating illustrations, work on publications, printing costs, etc., which are follow-ups to fieldwork investigations, are included in this definition. The Fund encourages means of bringing knowledge of the results of nautical archaeology to a wide public in the form of publications in various media.
Carefully planned small projects with potential for development will be considered for funding. Proven success will not be a requirement for funding. Projects that are primarily educational, such as fieldschools, lecture series, and public events, do not fit within the purview of the International Nautical Archaeology Fund.
Funds shall not be granted for creating, managing or attending conferences, travel outside specific needs of a project, and similar non-research purposes. Our Approach to Publication Undertaking research by itself is not a charitable purpose and confers little or no benefit to the public.
To achieve such benefits the results of the research must be disseminated in a publicly accessible format, thus adding to the collective knowledge and understanding of humanity’s past in a nautical context.
Dissemination of the results of research in a publicly accessible format is therefore an integral component of any nautical archaeology project, as recognised by Rules 30 -36 of the Annex to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural heritage 2001. As such, the INAF regards such dissemination to be an essential component of any proposal for award of a grant from the INAF.
The INAF will require as a condition of any grant awarded, the publication of the results of any research undertaken from funding provided.
Such publication may be proportional to the funded research undertaken and may make take the form of, but not necessarily be limited to: Publication on the INAF’s website or other Internet media outlet Publication in popular literature, such as magazines and news periodicals Publication in peer reviewed academic journals Publication in monographs or books Publication as documentary film or television program It may be the case that two or more forms of publication may be intended to be undertaken in respect of research funded by the INAF.
If so, applicants should expressly identify this in the application. Wherever possible, applicants may wish to identify the intention to provide a readily comprehensible form of publication for the general public as well as a more technical format for a specialised audience.
Applications will only be considered from: • Not for Profits, Registered Charities (including CIOs), Non-Government Organisations, Archaeological Groups or Societies • Individual researchers affiliated with a University • Individual researchers and members of a Non-Government Organisation or Archaeological Group or Society • University students studying nautical archaeology or related subjects at undergraduate level or above.
Applications will not be considered from: • Not for Profits and Charities that do not have one year of registered accounts • Commercial (For-Profit) Businesses • Persons or organisations engaged, or proposing to engage in the commercial exploitation of cultural heritage contrary to the provisions Article 2 of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001, and Rule 2 of the Annex thereto.
Application Timetable and Financials The minimum grant size is £500. Awards of more than £20,000 will be rare. 2026 applications to the International Nautical Archaeology Foundation open on the 1st January 2026 and close on the 28th February 2026.
Applicants will be informed of the award decision by the 6th April 2026. Grant recipients will be required to report on their supported work by the 31st March 2027, and the 31st March 2028 (if a two year funded project). Any unused funds shall be returned within two years of the award.
If a grant is being used for a project lasting longer than two years, applicants will be advised on returning any unused funds. The financial and administrative overhead rates for grants shall not exceed 10% of the grant applied for. For example, a £1,000 grant may not have more than £100 allocated to overhead.
Any overhead amounts must be disclosed in the grant application and in any financial reports. Download the 2026 INAF Application Form here Please direct any enquiries and send applications to [email protected] 2026 applications close at 23. 59 (GMT) on the 28th February 2026.
Donate to International Nautical Archaeology Foundation The International Nautical Archaeology Foundation is an open fund, happy to accept further donations to help support nautical archaeology research and fieldwork.
If you would like to talk to someone about donating a legacy to the field of nautical archaeology please feel free to contact the NAS CEO, Mark Beattie-Edwards by email on [email protected] International Nautical Archaeology Foundation The NAS is proud to be supporting the new International Nautical Archaeology Foundation, a grant giving foundation established thanks to a legacy donation from the USA.
Beginning in 2026 the Foundation will be awarding grants to projects that have a prospect for benefittng the field of nautical archaeology and the public’s understanding and appreciation of nautical archaeology. Discover more here..... Completing our cannon recording training Jenny and Rob Watkins have been NAS members for many years and were delighted to be able to complete their cannon recording training recently.
London Shipwreck Project Back on Track Thanks to a crowd-funding campaign and the generous support from two commercial sponsors the volunteer work to investigate the historic shipwreck of the London in the Thames is back on track. Thanks to the support of the public, Dive Master Insurance and DP World this important work can continue to save our precious nautical heritage. Discover more here....
Maritime Archives: Collaborative Training in UK-Pakistan Underwater Cultural Heritage Maritime Archives is a new UK–Pakistan partnership to build skills in maritime archaeology and research into underwater cultural heritage along Pakistan’s coast.
Recover Record Rebury Feasibility Study In 2019-2020 the NAS project managed a feasibility study for a scheme of recovery, recording and reburial of "at risk" objects and diagnostic structural elements of the wreck of the London, lost in the Thames Estuary in 1665. Discover more here... Wreck of the East India Company Packet NANCY The 'Nancy', East India Company packet, wrecked at the end of February 1784 in the Isles of Scilly.
This historical report, which includes the story of the infamous London actress Mrs. Ann Cargill & the East India Company Captain, John Haldane, is a fascinating piece of research and a major contribution to the maritime history of the Isles of Scilly. John Wordsworth and the Earl of Abergavenny One and a half miles off the coast at Weymouth in Dorset, 20 metres below the surface, lies the wreck of the Earl of Abergavenny.
Built by Thomas Pitcher at his yard in Northfleet, Kent in 1796 she was one of the largest classes of merchant ships chartered to the United East India Company. Abergavenny’s commander was John Wordsworth, brother of poet William Wordsworth. Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Working with the Malvern Archaeological Diving Unit (MADU) researching shipwrecks in the north end of Cardigan Bay in north west Wales.
Please note that now that the "www Research Project" is winding down, we are not inviting any more volunteers onto the project. Discover more here... Isle of Scilly Shipwrecks This maritime compendium covers the archipelago of the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall.
It also covers the surrounding sea areas which use Scilly as a focus, i.e. incidents, usually referred to as ‘off Scilly’. The Seven Stones are certainly included and some incidents may cover an area nearer to the Wolf Rock and Land’s End. Discover more here.....
East India Company Incidents The object of this research by NAS Fellow, Ed Cumming, has been to identify and, if possible, to give extra detail to total loss incidents incurred by the major ships of the English (later British) East India Company, 1600 to 1834. Discover more here...
Local Economic Benefit of a Protected Wreck In 2012 the NAS was commissioned by English Heritage to undertake a study looking at the value of a protected wreck to a local economy.
This study, which was published in 2013, looked at the visitor diver trail on the protected wreck of the Coronation in Plymouth Sound in Devon which has proved to be very successful in attracting a large number of visiting divers every year since its inception. Discover more here....
Benchmarking Competence Requirements The Benchmarking Competence Requirements study published in 2009 looked at what makes someone a competent maritime archaeologist and made recommendations for how to make competency of skills the key for future participation in maritime archaeology in the UK. Discover more here......
During the winter months a group of NAS members gather at The National Archives to garner information about varied projects. Some work on their own projects, others photograph documents for NAS members who cannot get to London easily. Discover more here.
In Search of Missing Vessels NAS member and fellow, Ed Cumming (MIBEC Publications) has created an invaluable "A Compendium of Potentially Missing Vessels recorded in the British Press in the 19th Century". You can freely search the entire index of 822 pages. Discover more here...
International Journal of Nautical Archaeology The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology is a forum for the exchange of ideas and research relevant to all aspects of nautical and maritime archaeology. Discover more about our journal here... Every year the Society hosts a two day annual conference.
In November 2025 we were back in our home town of Portsmouth in partnership with the University of Portsmouth - "Bringing the Past to Life". You can now watch the presentations given on our YouTube channel...... University Courses in Nautical Archaeology Want to learn more about which Universities offer nautical archaeology modules and courses?
Look no further! Our award winning entry-level eLearning courses will help you begin your archaeological training from the comfort of your own home. There are three courses available, with each made up of a series of modules which include images, videos, animations and quizzes.
Discover more about our eLearning courses here.... Indulge your passion for nautical archaeology, and help us explore, preserve and record the world’s intertidal and underwater heritage for future generations. Discover more about us here...
Please help us to raise £200,000 to support the work of local volunteer dive team to advance, promote and provide for the preservation of the amazing London shipwreck in the Thames Estuary and its artefacts for public benefit and to protect it for future generations. Discover more here... Check out all the latest maritime news from around the world....
Since 2019 the NAS has been recording and researching a historic wreck found by a dive boat skipper off the Sussex coast. Now designated as a protected wreck, the NAS is working with volunteer divers to help document the site for the UK and Dutch heritage agencies. Discover more here...
Jobs, Internships and Conferences Find all the latest maritime heritage jobs, conferences and opportunities for career development here. NASAC is a volunteer run archaeological dive club affiliated to the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) and is run by NAS members for NAS members. Our purpose is to provide project-based archaeological diving opportunities for NAS members.
Discover more about NASAC here.... Please select a donation amount (required) We have different types of membership to suit everyone including students, retirees, families, couples and non-UK residents. Indulge your passion for nautical archaeology, and help us explore, preserve and record the world’s intertidal and underwater heritage for future generations.
Discover more about us here... The Nautical Archaeology Society Please note that this is the shop login, it is not the NAS Membership and Events Portal Login which can be found here The Charity Commission for England and Wales Reg. No. 264209 and for Scotland Reg.
No. SC040130 Companies House Registration Number: 1039270 Text NAUTICAL5 to 70085 to donate £5 to the NAS. This text will cost you £5, plus a standard network rate message
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Applications only from nonprofits, registered charities, NGOs, archaeological groups/societies, and individual researchers. Not from commercial companies, individuals without institutional affiliation for personal gain, or projects primarily educational (fieldschools, lectures, public events). Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates £500 - £20,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is February 28, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
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Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase II is sponsored by Administration for Community Living. Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase II is a forecasted funding opportunity on Grants.gov from Administration for Community Living. Fiscal Year: 2026. Assistance Listing Number(s): 93.433. <p>The purpose of the Federal SBIR program is to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of small business in meeting Federal research or research and development (R/R&D) needs, and improve the return on investment from Federally-funded research for economic and social benefits to the nation. The specific purpose of NIDILRR's SBIR program is to improve the lives of people with disabilities through R/R&D products generated by small businesses, and to ...
The J.M.K. Innovation Prize is a grant from The J.M. Kaplan Fund recognizing early-stage social entrepreneurs working on environmental, heritage, and social justice challenges. The prize rewards individuals and organizations demonstrating innovative, entrepreneurial approaches to enduring problems. Applications for the 2025 prize were accepted February 11 through April 25, 2025 via an online portal. Spanish-language applications are welcomed, and a Spanish application form is available for download. The prize is biennial and open to a broad range of applicants across the United States working on forward-thinking solutions at the intersection of environment, community, and cultural heritage.