Press release -
HX Foundation Opens First Grant Submissions for 2025
The foundation invites global communities and charities to apply for funding that will directly support initiatives focused on conservation, sustainability, inclusion, science, and wildlife protection.
The HX Foundation is proud to announce the opening of its first grant submission window for 2025. The grants aim to encourage innovative and impactful projects that preserve ecosystems, advance sustainability, protect wildlife, foster inclusion, and expand scientific understanding all in the regions and destinations that HX (the world's oldest expedition company) travels to – which includes remote destinations such as Antarctica, Svalbard, Greenland and The Galapagos Islands.
Communities and charities interested in applying for funding are encouraged to submit proposals that align with the core themes of the foundation:
- Preserving endangered wildlife
- Battling plastic waste and marine litter
- Supporting local communities in the areas where HX operate
The grant submission window will be open from 30th March to 1st May 2025 and all eligible organisations are welcome to apply here: travelhx.com/en/stories/foundation.
One of the standout projects funded in 2024 was the Whales and Arctic Vessels (WAVE) project at Heriot-Watt University, based in the United Kingdom. This pioneering research project investigates the interactions between whales and Arctic vessels, with the aim of developing strategies for safer, more sustainable maritime practices.
Dr. Lauren McWhinnie, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, said of their previous grant funding:
“Working in the high Arctic can be challenging for many reasons and the resources required to undertake surveys in such remote regions is significant. Therefore, receiving support from the HX Foundation has been invaluable, enabling multiple researchers to undertake surveys across the high Arctic and allowing us to collect vital new data on Arctic whales. When trying to protect whales, we are so often on the back foot – reacting to deal with a problem that is already having a documented impact. What’s incredibly exciting about this research is that with the support of the HX Foundation we are trying to make sure an impact doesn’t occur and learning from lessons we’ve seen arise elsewhere. As a researcher this is a truly fantastic opportunity to bring about a positive change, and I’m incredibly excited to work with HX Expeditions to help ensure that future vessels visiting the Arctic will have a minimal impact on these incredible animals.”
In 2024, HX Foundation awarded 58 grants in 19 different countries, marking a significant milestone in its philanthropic efforts. The foundation is determined to build on this success in 2025, and the MD of HX Foundation expressed his excitement about the continued growth of the programme:
"We are incredibly excited to open our grant submission window for this standalone year. Last year the HX Foundation gave out 58 grants across 19 different countries – the impact on some of the remote communities was awe-inspiring. I look forward to seeing how much further we can go this year and am eager to continue expanding our support for the vital work that communities and charities are doing to protect our planet and its future," said Henrik A. Lund, Managing Director of HX Foundation.
For more information on how to apply for the HX Foundation grants, please visit travelhx.com/en/stories/foundation.
Topics
About HX Foundation
HX Foundation is the dedicated charity for HX Expeditions. Created to drive environmental conservation and support local communities in the destinations visited by HX's expedition ships. Evolving from the Hurtigruten Foundation, the HX Foundation focuses on preserving wildlife, battling marine litter, and fostering sustainable development. With over 18 million NOK which is 1.68 million EUR in donations given since 2015, the Foundation continues to make a positive impact worldwide.
