What CORDAP does

CORDAP (the G20 Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform Foundation) is a non-profit foundation headquartered at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, launched in 2020 by the G20 to accelerate coral conservation and restoration research. Its core function is to issue competitive grants to marine science researchers, conservation NGOs, and international consortia, with explicit mandates that funded projects involve organizations from at least two countries (including a low- or middle-income country partner) and deliver open-source outputs. The foundation distributes funding through three primary instruments: the Coral Accelerator Program (CAP), awarding up to USD 1.5 million per 3-year project; the Coral Local Innovation Program (CLIP), awarding up to USD 100,000 per 1-2 year project exclusively to LMIC-based researchers; and the Coral Decision Support System Call for Tenders (CDSS-C), a single award of up to USD 1.5 million for an AI-powered decision support tool.

The platform's funded research portfolio spans coral probiotics for Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring using portable sequencers (ONT MinION, Bento Lab), Passive Acoustic Monitoring with hydrophone arrays (Soundtrap ST400, HydroMoth), acoustic enrichment via the Reef Acoustic Playback System (RASP), AI-driven reef mapping and deep-water coral surveys, coral cryopreservation networks, and bioadhesive/bioink technologies. CORDAP's institutional backbone is KAUST, where Executive Director Carlos Duarte (Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor of Marine Science) leads the organization. Governance is provided by an Initiative Governing Committee and a Scientific Advisory Committee chaired by Dr. Anastazia Banarszak of UNAM.

CORDAP's revenue model is non-commercial. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and KAUST, is the primary funder; supplementary inflows come from private donations, grants, and award prizes (notably the 2025 Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Award, €10,000). Since 2023, CORDAP has committed over USD 38 million to 43 projects engaging more than 2,000 researchers from 663 institutions across 115 countries. In 2025, the foundation enabled outplanting of over 300,000 corals and monitoring of approximately 570,000 square meters of reef, while expanding 209 coral nurseries and 26 research facilities from the Caribbean to the Indo-Pacific.

Name

CORDAP

Legal name

The G20 Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform Foundation (CORDAP Foundation)

Website

https://cordap.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CORDAP is a G20 non-profit foundation headquartered at KAUST in Saudi Arabia that funds coral conservation research globally. Through its CAP, CLIP, and CDSS-C programs, it has committed over USD 38 million to 43 projects engaging 2,000+ researchers across 115 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Thuwal

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. G20 Government Funding: CORDAP is supported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) playing key roles in enabling and advancing the platform's mission. Funding comes from public sector government allocations as a G20 initiative.
2. Donations and Grants: CORDAP accepts donations and grants from public and private sector sources. The CORDAP Foundation is the financial arm committed to securing funding streams including donations, grants, and financial support from both public and private sectors.
3. Awards and Prizes: CORDAP receives award prizes such as the 2025 Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Award (€10,000) which honors excellence in marine conservation, scientific innovation, and circular economy principles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CORDAP is a G20 initiative that funds global research and development for coral restoration and conservation. It disburses competitive grants through programs such as the Coral Accelerator Program (CAP, up to USD 1.5 million per project) and the Coral Local Innovation Program (CLIP, up to USD 100,000 for LMIC researchers), and it commissions an AI-powered Coral Decision Support System (CDSS-C) via a Call for Tenders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Coral Accelerator Program (CAP): Main funding program offering up to USD 1.5 million per project for innovative coral conservation and restoration solutions
• Coral Local Innovation Program (CLIP)
• Coral Decision Support System (CDSS-C)

Products and services

• Coral Accelerator Program (CAP) Competitive grant program funding large-scale, multi-country coral conservation and restoration R&D projects. Open to not-for-profits, for-profits, higher education institutions, research institutes, and government organizations worldwide.
• Coral Local Innovation Program (CLIP) Small-grants program exclusively for LMIC-based researchers working on coral restoration and conservation R&D. Addresses funding access barriers faced by scientists in developing nations.
• Coral Decision Support System Call for Tenders (CDSS-C) Commissioned tender for the development of an AI-powered Decision Support System for coral reef conservation. Funds a single project to build a tool for planning, prioritization, and management decisions across spatial and temporal scales.

Quantifiable outcome

• 43 coral research projects enabled since 2023
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Energy and Water Academy (EWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Co-organized the Coral Restoration Course pilot phase in Saudi Arabia, part of CORDAP's international train-the-trainer initiative to enhance coral restoration capacity worldwide.
• Red Sea GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Key Saudi institution involved in marine conservation participating in CORDAP's Coral Restoration Course training initiative. Represents private sector commitment to coral conservation in the Red Sea region.
• National Center for Wildlife (NCW) - Saudi ArabiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Government entity representing key Saudi institutions involved in marine conservation, participating in CORDAP's Coral Restoration Course training.
• Saudi Water Sports & Diving Federation (SWSDF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Key Saudi institution involved in marine conservation participating in CORDAP's Coral Restoration Course training initiative.
• Ocean ReviveminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 March 2026Expert training provider for Coral Restoration Course, delivering hands-on training to Saudi practitioners alongside Coralium Lab from UNAM.
• Coralium Lab - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 March 2026Expert training provider for Coral Restoration Course, delivering hands-on coral restoration training alongside Ocean Revive.
• CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025Co-hosted five-day workshop on 'Water Quality Solutions for Coastal Habitats' in Fiji (October 6-10, 2025) to address land-based pollution affecting coral reefs. Part of ongoing series of scoping studies.
• Nutrient Pollution Global Action Network (NPGAN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025Co-hosted workshop on water quality solutions for coastal habitats in Fiji, bringing together 27 experts from 13 countries to develop guidance on reducing sediment, nutrient, and contaminant pollution reaching coral reefs.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025Co-hosted workshop on water quality solutions for coastal habitats in Fiji, contributing to scoping studies on land-based pollution and coral restoration.
• BBVA FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2025CORDAP experts spoke at BBVA Foundation's 'Acting on the Risk of Coral Reef Collapse' event in Madrid on June 2, 2026, raising public awareness about coral threats and conservation strategies. Approximately 80 members of the public attended.
• Westbrook Racing (E1 Series)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 February 2025Partnership with E1 racing team owned by Will Smith to accelerate awareness and education about coral conservation. Local activations at E1 race venues, collaborative digital media campaigns, interactive educational tools, and documentaries. CORDAP acts as Westbrook Racing's Local Impact Partner.
• Earthshot PrizeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic partnership announced aboard OceanXplorer during UN Ocean Conference with ocean advocates James Blunt and Philippe Cousteau Jr. to launch global search for coral innovators.
• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner organization collaborating with CORDAP on actionable roadmaps and scoping studies to guide global research, technology development, and funding investments.
• KAUST Reefscape Restoration InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner organization collaborating on roadmaps and scoping studies for coral conservation and restoration strategies.
• National University of SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-applicant on CLIP project 'JALAKARANG' for eDNA monitoring of coral spawning in Indonesia's Karimunjawa Islands.
• École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-applicant on CLIP project 'Smart Revival' using AI and acoustic technologies for monitoring and restoring Galápagos reefs.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-applicant on CLIP project using AI and acoustic technologies for Galápagos coral restoration.
• Galapagos National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Supporting institution for Galápagos coral restoration project, providing regulatory and operational support for research activities.
• Galapagos Reef RevivalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local supporting institution for Galápagos coral restoration project, working on coral restoration efforts on Isabela Island since January 2022.
• ACWA PowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2024Partnership signed at COP16 in Riyadh to boost coral reef restoration worldwide. ACWA Power is a leading Saudi Arabian desalination and renewable energy company.
• REEFolution TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2024CORDAP-funded project partner conducting coral restoration in Kenya. Their budget-friendly coral reef restoration approaches are featured in CORDAP's capacity development roadmap for the Global South.
• KAUSTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-organized coral diseases workshop in Riviera Maya, Mexico (2024) alongside CORALIUM and UNAM, bringing together 25 experts to develop roadmap on coral disease research.
• CORALIUMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-organized coral diseases workshop in Riviera Maya, Mexico, contributing to the development of a complete roadmap on coral diseases research.
• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-organized coral diseases workshop in Riviera Maya, Mexico alongside KAUST and CORALIUM. UNAM experts also deliver coral restoration training in Saudi Arabia.
• University of QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Lead institution for CORALADAPT project (USD 1.5M) quantifying genetic adaptation of heat-tolerant corals across Philippines and Palau.
• Newcastle UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-applicant on CORALADAPT project alongside University of Queensland.
• University of the PhilippinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-applicant on CORALADAPT project focusing on coral adaptation in Philippines.
• Palau International Coral Reef CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-applicant on CORALADAPT project focusing on coral adaptation in Palau.
• University of KonstanzcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-applicant on ASSIST project developing smart-decision framework for coral restoration in Malaysia.
• CoralkucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Lead organization for ASSIST project, establishing 70 nurseries (largest in Malaysia) and outplanting 9,191 bleaching-resistant corals across 70+ species.
• Triton SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Supporting institution for ASSIST project in Gili Islands, Indonesia.
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020KAUST plays a key role in enabling and advancing CORDAP's mission. Hosts CORDAP headquarters. CORDAP's Executive Director Carlos Duarte is a Distinguished Professor at KAUST. The university provides research facilities and expertise for coral conservation projects.
• Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) - Saudi ArabiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020MEWA, along with KAUST, plays a key role in enabling and advancing CORDAP's mission as the G20 initiative is supported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Global Fund for Coral Reefs: The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) is a blended finance vehicle backed by UN agencies, governments, and philanthropic partners dedicated specifically to investing in coral reef conservation and restoration. It is the closest direct peer to CORDAP — both focus exclusively on coral reef R&D and conservation funding, though GFCR leans more toward investment vehicles while CORDAP funds grant-based research.
• Rev Ocean: Rev Ocean is a Norwegian-founded ocean impact organization funding science, technology, and policy initiatives to protect and restore ocean health, including dedicated coral programs. Like CORDAP, it operates as a mission-driven foundation funding international research consortia, though Rev Ocean is broader in scope across marine issues beyond coral.
• Waitt Foundation: The Waitt Foundation funds marine protected areas, ocean science, and reef conservation through grant programs and partnerships with research institutions globally. Comparable to CORDAP as a private foundation funding coral and ocean conservation R&D with a grantmaking model.
• Blue Marine Foundation: Blue Marine Foundation is a UK-based ocean conservation charity funding marine protected areas, restoration projects, and policy work, including significant coral reef initiatives. It is comparable to CORDAP as an international grantmaking and project-driving nonprofit focused on ocean restoration.

Broad incumbents

• National Geographic Pristine Seas: National Geographic Pristine Seas is a large-scale marine conservation program combining scientific expeditions, policy advocacy, and grantmaking for ocean protection. Comparable to CORDAP as a high-profile funder of ocean science and conservation, but with broader scope beyond coral and a stronger media/expedition orientation.
• Bloomberg Philanthropies (Vibrant Oceans Initiative): Bloomberg Philanthropies' Vibrant Oceans Initiative funds sustainable fisheries, marine protected areas, and reef protection in major ocean countries, with significant coral reef program investment. Comparable to CORDAP as a major philanthropic funder of coral and ocean conservation, though operating at a much larger financial scale and broader scope.
• The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is one of the world's largest environmental nonprofits, with substantial coral reef programs including mapping, restoration, and resilience funding across dozens of countries. Comparable to CORDAP as a global environmental grantmaker and project operator focused on reefs, but with much broader conservation mandate and significantly larger financial scale.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) operates global field conservation programs including coral reef protection and co-hosts CORDAP workshops on coastal habitat water quality. Comparable to CORDAP as a global conservation NGO with coral and marine programs, but with a much broader species and habitat scope and significantly larger operational footprint.
• Paul G. Allen Family Foundation / Vulcan Inc. The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation has historically been a major funder of ocean health and marine conservation through grants and strategic initiatives including coral reef programs. Comparable to CORDAP as a large philanthropic funder of marine science, but with a broader portfolio across climate, conservation, and technology.
• WWF (World Wildlife Fund): WWF operates one of the largest global marine conservation programs, including coral reef protection, sustainable fisheries, and ocean governance advocacy across dozens of countries. Comparable to CORDAP as a global conservation organization funding coral and reef work, but operating at much larger scale and across all major ecosystems rather than coral alone.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cordap_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6UKtQ9cTIFwQb_MthgrTMg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-cordap
• Instagraminstagram.com/cordap_/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CORDAP