Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - Natural World / Marine Grants

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Enriched UK · Found: 2026-03-10 13:30

Major UK foundation providing grants for marine environment restoration and coastal community support. Funds programs including Seascapes, Space for Nature, and organizations like Fishtek Marine and Northern Ireland Marine Task Force. Primarily UK-focused but significant funder of marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and coastal habitat work.

Source: https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/our-aims/our-natural-world/

Funding Details

Funder: Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
Funding Goal: Support restoration of the natural world, with specific priorities including sustainable fishing and seafood, marine protected areas, coastal community empowerment, and reducing overfishing. The 'Fishing in Tandem with Nature' priority funds work toward well-managed fisheries using low-impact methods, and coastal communities having active roles in managing marine resources.
Funding Amount: No fixed amount stated; grants awarded on case-by-case basis. Process can take up to 6 months from EOI to decision.
How to Apply: Three-stage process: 1) Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) online via their portal (300 words max); 2) Assessment call with Foundation staff; 3) Proposal submission. Rolling basis, no fixed deadlines. Full process takes up to 6 months.
Target Region: United Kingdom
Contact: info@esmeefairbairn.org.uk | Tel: 020 7812 3700 | 6th Floor, 210 Pentonville Road, London N1 9JY | Charity no. 200051
Last Checked: 2026-03-15 09:37

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Organisation must be UK-based
Single-site projects only eligible if they connect to another Esmee priority area or strategic aim

Project Scope

Work must fit one of the five Natural World priorities (fishing, peat, space for nature, freshwater, nature-friendly farming)
Applications for social investment (repayable finance) available for capital costs
Partnerships and collaborations are viewed favourably

Required Documents

Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) via online portal — max 300 words
DEI form required after EOI submission

Constraints

Grants cannot cover capital costs — only operational/revenue costs eligible
Project must demonstrate lasting impact beyond the funded period

Summary

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation is one of the UK's largest independent foundations, funding work across three strategic areas: Our Natural World, A Fairer Future, and Creative, Confident Communities. Their Natural World programme covers five priorities including 'Fishing in Tandem with Nature', which supports sustainable fishing, reduced overfishing, and coastal community resilience. Under their fishing priority, the Foundation funds work that makes UK fisheries well and equitably managed using low-impact methods, and ensures coastal communities benefit from and have an active role in managing marine resources. They also support marine habitat restoration, biodiversity at scale in the sea, and innovative funding models for seascape recovery. Eligible applicants are UK-based organisations including NGOs, charities, community interest companies, and partnerships. Applications go through a rolling three-stage process starting with a brief Expression of Interest. The Foundation also offers social investment (repayable finance) for capital needs alongside grants for operating costs. This is a well-established, long-running programme with no fixed deadline — organisations can apply year-round. The Foundation has shown a consistent track record of supporting marine conservation NGOs and fishing community initiatives across the UK.

Historical Context

Major UK foundation supporting environmental and social causes since 1961. Has funded North Sea Wildlife Trusts partnership, Fishtek Marine, Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association CIC, and UK Women in Fisheries. Published seascapes report in October 2025 on scaling marine recovery across the UK.

Why it was added

Major UK foundation with dedicated marine grants program supporting fisheries, coastal communities, and marine habitat restoration - primarily domestic but influential funder

Sources

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