The OBON-SAIGe microgrants aim to accelerate eDNA monitoring by supporting 1-year projects involving topics such as autonomous sampling, standardising protocols, building data infrastructure, expanding reference libraries, and citizen science initiatives using eDNA kits.

This funding is part of the Scaling Autonomous Integrated Global eDNA Observations (SAIGe) Collaboration, supported by the Minderoo Foundation.

The first call closed on 14 January 2026.

The recipients of the first round of OBON-SAIGe Microgrants were announced in February 2026 – read more here.

Pacific eDNA Framework for Ciguatera Poisoning (PACeDNA-CP)
Laura Biessy
Cawthron Institute, New Zealand

Strengthening the Sundarbans Biomolecular Observation Network through Reference Library Development and eDNA Monitoring (SundarBONS)
Kazi Ahsan Habib
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Bangladesh

S: Standardized affordable eDNA monitoring; H: Hands-on eDNA training; A: Advancement in reference libraries; R: Research Capacity Strengthening; K: Knowledge sharing; Sequencing technology (ONT) (SHARK-Seq)
Achim Meyer & Amy Then
Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Germany, & Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

Accelerating eDNA Readiness in the Wallacea Region: Constructing a Genetic Reference Library for Gleaned Mollusks across the Makassar Strait and Flores Sea (Wallacea GleanDNA)
Nadiarti Nurdin Kadir
Hasanuddin University, Indonesia