Apply now: Win the “ocean tribute” Award and €20,000 for a marine conservation project

Each year, the “ocean tribute” Award honours a project that makes a significant contribution to the protection of the ocean. This prestigious prize is awarded by boot Düsseldorf and the German Ocean Foundation to recognise international research projects, innovative start-ups or impactful initiatives and to support them with prize money of €20,000.

Submitted projects are first assessed by an expert jury according to the criteria of impact, participation and networking. The jury panel consists of Leonie Beck (world champion in open-water swimming), Marius Berlemann (Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf), Monika Breuch-Moritz (meteorologist, Maritime Ambassador for the IMO – International Maritime Organisation), Prof. em. Dr Hartmut Graßl (Board Member of the Association of German Scientists, former Director of the MPI for Meteorology), Robert Marx (President of the European Boating Industry (EBI) and boot Düsseldorf), Shamim Wasii Nyanda (founder of the Doors of Hope Foundation) and Prof. em. Dr Michael Orbach (anthropologist, leading US adviser on maritime policy).

Five projects nominated by the expert jury will be put to a public vote, in which anyone can take part online. The winner will be presented with the award on 26 January 2027 as part of the boot at Düsseldorf Town Hall.

The application period runs until 31 August 2026.