Sea-Changers: Main and Small Grants Programme

Overview

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.

They welcome applications from a variety of groups and entities.

What objectives must projects meet?

The projects they fund will achieve one or more of the following objectives:

• To address the root causes of marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK.
• To prevent or reduce negative impacts on UK coastal and marine environments and/or species.
• To add to the body of knowledge about marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK.

What type of projects do they fund?

Sea-Changers is particularly interested in grassroots projects that galvanise community action and projects that increase the number of people taking action for marine conservation.

They will consider partial funding of projects where other funds are also being sought or are already in place, but you will need to demonstrate exactly which elements of the project the Sea-Changers grant will be used to fund, as well as how their funding fits into the wider finances of the project.

They do not fund any posts that are already established or funded through other sources. However, if a project needs project specific staffing which is not part of the organisation's existing core team they may consider funding this. Core operating costs are not covered.

For full evaluation criteria, visit the website here

Main Grants

• For grants between £500 and £2,500.
• Two grant rounds per year.
• Deadlines for applications are 31st March and 30th September each year.

Small Grants

• For grants of up to £500.
• Apply any time and get a quick decision.

How are applications evaluated?

Eligible applications for both the Main Grant programme and the Small Grant programme will be evaluated against the following criteria:

1. Measurable impact

• How well does the project meet one or more of the three objectives above?
• How far does the project have a positive impact on the sea and coastal environment and/or species?
• How well does the application identify appropriate measures of success?
• Is it possible to effectively evaluate the impact?

2. Impact on the organisation

• How significant a difference will the grant make to the organisation - especially regarding its ability to run the project?

3. Community/grassroots base

• How far is the project community-based, with involvement of communities and the public in solutions to address marine conservation challenges?
• Does the project have elements of community engagement or citizen science?

4. Value for money

• How well justified is the sum proposed?
• Is it good value for money?
• Are there other ways for the funding to be obtained?

5. Ongoing or wider benefits

• Will the project have lasting benefits and outcomes?
• Is it replicable and could it have wider applicability?
• Will the project raise awareness or get publicity for the issues it addresses and/or for marine conservation issues in general?

6. Innovation and creativity

• Does the project create an innovative approach to the problems facing the marine environment?