Sea-Changers Autumn 2025 Grants Announced including the first three BMT Next Wave Fund Projects

We’re delighted to announce the successful recipients of the Autumn 2025 Sea-Changers Main Grants, with over £36,000 awarded in support of 16 inspiring projects that protect and enhance the UK’s coastal and marine environments.

This latest round includes initiatives ranging from endangered species research to community-led, hands on beach conservation, water quality improvement, and youth engagement in marine protection. Below is a summary of the projects we’re proud to be funding through our Autumn 2025 Main Grants round:

Projects with Children and Young Adults

The following three projects are the first to be funded under the BMT Next Wave Fund:

• The Alba Explorers Young Coastal Guardians project will engage 100 pupils from 17 Angus and Dundee schools in hands-on coastal conservation, aiming to collect up to 95 bags of litter and inspire long-term care for our shores.

• Friends with Diabetes UK’s Blue Horizons project will bring 20–25 young people with Type 1 diabetes together to explore the sea, take part in beach cleans, and get creative in workshops that boost wellbeing and awareness of marine conservation.

• The Guardians of River Itchen project will empower neurodivergent young people to take part in hands-on river conservation through art, ecology, and citizen science sessions, inspiring new advocates for water quality and environmental care.

  
  

Research and Species Protection:

• Our Only World’s Safe to Thrive project will install three Mermaid Anchor systems along the Cornish coast to protect grey seals and their habitats, prevent seabed damage, and raise community awareness of marine conservation.

• The Environmental DNA Studies of Minke Whales project by Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit (CRRU) aims to use seawater samples to determine whale sex non-invasively, thus improving the understanding of minke whale populations in the Moray Firth, and engaging the community through training and outreach.

• Funded by Sea-Changers, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary plans to run a Wildlife Wise Project. By producing signage and leaflets, building local partnerships, and promoting responsible seal watching they hope to minimise disturbances to marine wildlife.

• The Final Straw Foundation’s Project Oyster will work to restore native oysters in the Solent by making three oyster installation sites, and engaging communities through education, citizen science, and sustainable practices.

• Nautilus Row will undertake a 2000 mile expedition around Great Britain, collecting marine data on microplastics and biodiversity while raising awareness of ocean conservation.

• The Clyde Marine Region Bottlenose Dolphin Photo ID project by the Sea Watch Foundation aims to conduct photo identification surveys of the UK's largest coastal bottlenose dolphin population in the Clyde area. This will support long-term research and conservation efforts for this marine species.

• Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL) will study pollution and pathogens in Tees Estuary amphipods to establish ecological baselines, and engage the community in conservation and education.

• The SOS Puffin project by the Scottish Seabird Centre will remove invasive plants, restore seabird habitats, and engage volunteers to boost puffin populations and support conservation on Craigleith Island.

  
  

Direct Action:

• With their Sea-Changers grant, Beach Guardian CIC can launch their Cleaning Badge Program which will inspire 100 participants to take action against plastic pollution. The project aims to remove 1200kg of plastic from beaches and build lasting community engagement in coastal conservation.

  
  

Engagement:

• The Whales from our Shores project by Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust will connect communities across Scotland with whales and dolphins through guided sea watches, talks, and family events, culminating in a Whale & Dolphin Day to inspire lasting care for marine life.

• The Herne Bay to Thanet Beach Clean and Wild Beach Fun project run by With Nature will bring families together for monthly beach cleans and coastal activities, inspiring connections with nature and promoting sustainable, responsible enjoyment of local beaches.

• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's East Marine Ecosystems Conference will bring together stakeholders across the East of England to address marine ecosystem issues, share insights, and build lasting connections for regional conservation and sustainability

• Sussex Bay aim to create three easy to read animated videos co-produced by neurodiverse artists, translating Sussex Bay's Blueprint for Seascape Recovery into accessible content for autistic and learning-disabled audiences.

Thank you to all of our partners, funders, and supporters for making these projects possible. Our recipient's passion is helping our oceans thrive, inspiring communities, and creating currents of change that will flow through 2026 and beyond.