Grants
It is the goal of the Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance to provide funding from each state specialty license plate to those authorized organizations who serve on the front lines to rescue, educate, conserve and Protect Marine Wildlife.
The formula is simple, the more specialty plates we have, the more funding can be awarded.
We’ve strived to keep the application process simple, and transparent as possible.
Please note, funding from each plate can only be used in that State.
If you wish to submit a small grants request, please follow the instructions to submit an application for the state you intend to work in.
Note: PWDA is unable to accept grant requests that include any Indirect Costs (IDC).
Grant Application Forms
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Florida
Download the Form HereThe annual use fees from sales of the Florida 'Protect Marine Wildlife' license plate will be distributed to the Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc., to be used to fund its conservation, research, and educational programs that focus on the conservation of Florida’s threatened and protected marine wildlife species.
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Louisiana
Download the Form HereThe monies received from the royalty fees from the Louisiana 'Protect Wild Dolphins' special plate shall be used solely for the support of scientific research, conservation, and educational programs that serve to restore and protect the ocean environment and freshwater systems and to protect wild dolphins.
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South Carolina
Download the Form HereProceeds from the South Carolina 'Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance' specialty license plate will be used to provide research, conservation, and educational programs to protect wild dolphins.
PWDA Grant Award Recipients
PWDA Grant Award Recipients
The Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance (PWDA) has awarded over $270,000 in grants during 2023-2024 to protect and preserve marine wildlife and coastal habitats across Florida, South Carolina, and Louisiana. These investments advance critical scientific research, rescue operations, and educational initiatives supporting dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and shorebirds. Through strategic partnerships with leading research institutions, rescue organizations, and education providers, PWDA continues its mission and commitment to safeguard marine ecosystems for future generations. Learn more about our grant opportunities at protectmarinewildlife.org.
• Marine Mammal Research and Conservation
Organization: Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance Research and Conservation Program (FL)
Funding Awarded: $20,221.80
Project: Enhanced Imaging Technologies for Dolphin Population and Behavioral Ecology Research. Support for continuing a multi-year collaborative research program in the Upper Florida Keys.
Organization: Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (FL)
Funding Awarded: $9,945
Project: Bioacoustics Research Analysis - Comparative acoustic monitoring between wild dolphin and managed care environments.
Organization: Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance Research and Conservation Program (FL)
Funding Awarded: $8,280
Project: Florida Bay Small Cetacean Remote Biopsy Sampling - Capacity building for collaborative multi-disciplinary research programs in Florida Bay.
Organization: Florida Institute of Technology (FL)
Funding Awarded: $402.50
Project: UAS Body Condition Assessment of Common Bottlenose Dolphins - Using unmanned aircraft systems to assess dolphin health in the Indian River Lagoon.
Organization: Low Country Marine Mammal Network (SC)
Funding Awarded: $20,000
Project: Charleston Dolphin Habitat Utilization Study - Monitoring movement patterns and habitat use of bottlenose dolphins in Charleston waters.
Organization: Audubon Nature Institute (LA)
Funding Awarded: $50,000
Project: Coastal Louisiana Dolphin Data Collection - Building capacity for dolphin research and conservation in Louisiana s coastal waters.
Organization: Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responders (FL)
Funding Awarded: $30,000 (Partial Match)
Project: Research Staff Support - for Dolphin Population and Behavioral Ecology Research for continuing collaborative research and stranding response in the Florida Keys.
• Marine Wildlife Stranding Response and Veterinary Care
Organization: University of Florida - UF Animal Rescue
Funding Awarded: $15,681.84
Project: Veterinary Staff Support Services to Contribute to NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Network.
Organization: Clearwater Marine Aquarium (FL)
Funding Awarded: $25,000
Project: Hurricane Relief and Disaster Recovery - Emergency care support for threatened, endangered, and protected marine wildlife.
Organization: Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (FL)
Funding Awarded: $8,610
Project: Regional Stranding Response Enhancement - Improvements to rescue vessel and response resources.
Organization: Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center (FL)
Funding Awarded: $10,000
Project: Shorebird Enclosure Renovation - Wings of Support initiative for improved wildlife care facilities.
Organization: The Turtle Hospital (FL)
Funding Awarded: $10,680
Project: Cryogenic Sample Preservation - Advanced rehabilitative care and research for sea turtles.
Organization: The Coastal Stewards (FL)
Funding Awarded: $7,625
Project: Diagnostic Tools Enhancement - Improving treatment capabilities for sick and injured marine wildlife.
Organization: Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (FL)
Funding Awarded: $3,000 (Match Funding)
Project: Necropsy Table Construction - Essential equipment for marine mammal forensic examinations.
Organization: Audubon Nature Institute (LA)
Funding Awarded: $19,500
Project: Coastal Louisiana Dolphin Marine Mammal Stranding Response - Capacity Building for Wild Dolphins Stranding response and Rehabilitation
• Marine Wildlife Education and Outreach
Organization: Kathleen Productions, Inc. (Multi-State: LA, SC, FL)
Funding Awarded: $12,500
Project: Protect Wild Dolphins Coloring Book - Development and distribution of interactive educational materials across multiple states.
Organization: Isla Media Management (FL)
Funding Awarded: $11,500
Project: Social Media Education Initiative - Utilizing social media platforms to protect marine wildlife through education.