The HX Foundation, the charitable arm of HX Expeditions, has awarded more than $260,000 in grant funding to various organizations.
In its second standalone grant cycle, the foundation is supporting a variety of community, conservation and polar-focused wildlife projects around the globe.
Of the total, $74,000 has been awarded to seven single-year projects selected by the charity’s board. They were selected based on their alignment with the foundation’s mission of advancing science and conservation or supporting community wellbeing in ocean and polar regions where HX sails.
“This second round of standalone grants continues our dedication to fostering practical scientific solutions and cross-sector partnerships in polar and oceanic regions,” says Henrik A Lund managing director of the HX Foundation. “We’re proud to support both new applicants and returning partners, as they carry out meaningful work on the ground, in communities, and at sea. Having seen some countries scaling back funding for climate and science initiatives recently, this makes us even more determined that the money we raise is more critical than ever before!”
The seven single-project recipients are:
Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (Argentina)
Acoustic Behavior of Franciscana Dolphins Around Gillnets: Assessing the Impact of Mitigation Measures. This project investigates the interactions between gillnets and heavily endangered Franciscana dolphins to evaluate the effectiveness of acoustic deterrents.Helmholtz Innovation Platform SOOP – Shaping an Ocean of Possibilities (Germany)
Science and Outreach Support on HX Vessels 2025. The continued collaboration with HX vessels to facilitate scientific data collection and onboard outreach activities for the coming 25/26 season.The SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary (Iceland)
Building a brand-new Avian Flu Sterile Testing Area.
Establishing a sterile environment to ensure health and safety during the treatment and rehabilitation of seabirds affected by avian flu including both local Puffins, baby ‘Pufflings’, Guillemots and other local birds.Sitka Trail Works (USA)
Sustaining Local Capacity for Trail Maintenance in the Tongass National Forest.Supporting local teams in maintaining critical hiking infrastructure and trail accessibility in one of the world’s largest temperate rainforests.National University of Córdoba (Argentina)
Exploring the Unseen: Scientifically Rigorous and Tourist-Engaging Underwater Monitoring of the West Antarctic Peninsula.
A novel underwater monitoring program that engages tourists in citizen science while collecting valuable environmental data.Arctic Storm AS / Maria Philippa Rossi (Norway)
Arctic Mysteries: Warm Ice and Cold Fact – Science in Svalbard.
A science communication initiative focused on demystifying Arctic science for wider audiences in particular families/children. HX Foundation will also explore opportunities to distribute the book onboard their HX ships.Oxford Brookes University – Penguin Watch (UK)
Exploring the Data Gaps in the Falklands/Malvinas and South Georgia.
Supporting research that helps fill critical knowledge gaps in penguin populations in remote South Atlantic regions.
In addition to these seven grant recipients, the HX Foundation will continue supporting several multiyear projects, with more than $126,000 to be awarded in 2025 and more than $61,000 already committed for 2026. They are:
The Association of Greenlandic Children – a long-term partner of the Foundation which supports children in need of care across the whole of Greenland.University of California – Measuring the impacts of climate change of Humpback whales, with particular focus in Antarctica.The Norwegian Rescue Dogs Svalbard (NRS) – a volunteer organization that plays a vital role in search and rescue (SAR) operations in Svalbard, Norway. Established following the devastating 2015 Longyearbyen avalanche, NRS is now an integral part of the region’s emergency preparedness which supports both residents and tourists.RSPB – Saving Orkney’s Native Wildlife project in Scotland, created to support the rare birds and their nesting areas in Orkney.
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