Sea-Changers

Total Value of Fund

Sea-Changers runs a Main Grants programme and Small Grants programme, they also run other targeted funds such as the Scottish Learning Fund and Innovation Fund. In 2023, total annual giving of approximately £119,168.

Amount that can be applied for

• Main Grants: £500 - £2,500 per project. 
• Small Grants: up to £500, with applications accepted anytime. 
• Scottish Learning Fund: grants up to around £750 (for travel, accommodation, subsistence, etc.). 
• Innovation Fund: grants of up to £10,000 for new and experimental marine conservation solutions.

Percentage that can be applied for

Sea-Changers does not publish a fixed percentage of project costs that must be matched, the emphasis is instead on clear justification of how the grant contributes to the project outcomes and fits into the overall budget.

Who can apply

Sea-Changers gives one-off grants (i.e. not continual funding) to UK-based charities and other organisations (including schools) carrying out marine conservation related activities.

• UK-based charities and not-for-profit organisations including community groups and schools working on marine conservation. 
• Projects must have a UK coastal or marine conservation focus and demonstrate measurable environmental impact. 
• For some specific funds (like Scottish Learning Fund), applicants include community or grassroots organisations with a focus on marine conservation, with beneficiaries based in Scotland.

Aims of the fund

Sea-Changers funding programmes aim to:
• Address the root causes of marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK. 
• Prevent or reduce negative impacts on UK coastal and marine environments and/or species. 
• Add to the body of knowledge about marine conservation threats and challenges and solutions. 
• The Scottish Learning Fund specifically supports learning, knowledge-sharing, networking and skill development among marine conservation groups in Scotland. 
• The Innovation Fund explicitly targets novel and experimental approaches to conservation, including use of technology and new models for marine protection.

Timing

• Main Grants: two grant rounds per year, with deadlines typically 31 March and 30 September. 
• Small Grants: open for applications at any time with regular review. 
• Scottish Learning Fund: applications are open all year. 
• Innovation Funds: operate on specific annual cycles, e.g., 2024/25 Innovation Fund had a deadline in February 2025

Examples of successful projects

Sea-Changers support various UK marine initiatives, including:
• Citizen science and conservation learning trips e.g., Moray Ocean Community snorkel and survey weekend funded through the Scottish Learning Fund. 
• Marine up-skill networking events, such as a marine art skill share bringing together beach cleaners and artisans. 
• Innovation Fund projects such as invasive species detection dogs, AI and drone ecological surveys, and net recycling schemes, part of a portfolio where more than £83,000 was awarded across 15 projects in 2025.

Contact info

• Email: info@sea-changers.org.uk
•  Website: https://www.sea-changers.org.uk/