Wayfinder Grant: $5,000 to Chart and Deliver

The Wayfinder Grant backs ambitious, practical projects that move ocean work from idea to reality. Use it to run a focused field campaign, build a working prototype, publish a clean dataset, or ship a public guide that others can use.

Award: $5,000 per project

What we fund

• Field pilots that answer a clear question or close a data gap

• Hardware or software prototypes for monitoring, mapping, or outreach

• Community partnerships that produce a concrete tool, exhibit, or training

• Communication projects that turn complex science into clear, useful stories

• Method trials for restoration or reef health tracking with shareable results

What we do not fund

• Tuition, wages, or general stipends

• High-end electronics without a specific, justified need

• Travel that is not tied to the plan

• Projects without permits when required, a safety plan, or measurable outcomes

Who should apply

• Students, early-career researchers, educators, engineers, artists, and community groups

• Small teams that can plan tightly, finish on time, and ship a usable result

• South Florida roots are a plus, but strong plans from anywhere are welcome with local buy-in

What you will deliver

• One primary output that others can use: dataset, map, tool, exhibit, training, or short film

• A one-page methods sheet so someone else can repeat or build on your work

• 5 to 10 photos or screenshots and a short summary for our site

• If sites are sensitive, leave out exact locations and share only appropriate detail

Budget guidance

Keep it lean and itemized. Ask only for what you need to complete the plan.Eligible: small gear, consumables, instrument fees, permits, modest travel tied to the work, printing, software, storage, translation, accessibility services.Ineligible: general stipends, unrelated travel, luxury gear, expenses without receipts.We can reimburse with receipts or make direct purchases when possible. We will confirm the best route after approval.

Timeline

• Rolling review with quarterly decisions

• Typical project length: 8 to 20 weeks

• Set milestones you can keep. We will check in at the midpoint.

How to apply

1. Request the application formEmail projectanchordown@gmail.com with the subject Wayfinder Grant Request + Your Name.Include your CV or resume and 3 to 6 sentences on your idea, location, partners, and what the $5,000 will unlock.

2. Prepare your proposalYou will be asked for:

3. 300 to 700 word summary with goals, significance, users, and partners

4. Simple timeline with milestones

5. Itemized budget up to $5,000

6. Safety and ethics plan, including permits and points of contact

7. One short note of support from a mentor or community partner

How we choose

We prioritize:

• Clear impact and a concrete, shareable output

• Feasibility within time and budget

• Safety, permits, and solid field practice

• Community benefit and respect for local knowledge

• A plan for access and long-term stewardship of results

Reporting and credit

• Quick kickoff call after award

• Midpoint check: a short progress note with any course corrections

• Final package: output, methods one-pager, assets, and budget reconciliation

• Credit Anchor Down and list the Wayfinder Grant in public materials

Examples we like

• A reef temperature and light dashboard that turns raw data into daily classroom visuals, with an open setup guide

• A bilingual storm-drain to reef toolkit any campus club can run, plus a short training for student leaders

• A repeatable shoreline photo-station network with printable posts, templates, and a public data folder

• A seagrass snapshot across three bayside sites with tidy datasets, map tiles, and teacher notes

• A short film on coral bleaching paired with ready-to-teach lesson slides and a one-page glossary

Questions or ready to request the applicationEmail projectanchordown@gmail.com with your CV. Tell us what you want to build and why it matters. We will point you to the right next step.