Support us
Support research and solutions towards a healthy ocean
Plymouth Marine Laboratory is an independent research charity at the forefront of marine science. Our work informs international climate policy, protects marine biodiversity, and tackles ocean pollution at its source.
"Our mission is to conduct impactful, interdisciplinary and collaborative marine research, delivering solutions to the ocean's great challenges, with both nature and people as co-beneficiaries."
Our global impact
What your funding achieves
Thanks to our funders, we are advancing the frontiers of marine knowledge, training the next generation of scientists worldwide, and applying research to solve the most pressing ocean challenges of our time.
Climate change
Our research informs international climate policy and models how ocean systems respond to a warming world.
Biodiversity loss
We track, monitor and model marine ecosystem health to support protection of species and habitats at scale.
Marine pollution
From microplastics to chemical contaminants, we quantify ocean pollution and develop solutions to reduce it.
Funding in action
Research made possible by our funders
PML awarded $2m Bezos Earth Fund grant to map vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems using AI
Led by Professor Kerry Howell, the Deep Vision project will generate the largest-ever dataset of deep-sea biodiversity, supporting legal protection of cold-water coral reefs and sponge fields across the Atlantic.
Waitrose Plan Plastic fund backs PML's 'Mussel Power' microplastics project
PML was awarded a share of Waitrose's £1 million Plan Plastic Challenge fund to explore whether beds of native mussels can filter microplastics from coastal and estuarine waters.
NERC awards PML £651k for AI-powered plankton monitoring at the Western Channel Observatory
Part of a £6.6 million NERC capital package, this funding enables a new automated imaging system that will radically improve the frequency and range of plankton monitoring in the English Channel.
Who benefits from marine ecosystems? Major funding for PML-led 'Economics of Biodiversity' project
The UKRI-supported 'Sea the Value' project is aimed at determining the economic, ecological and socio-cultural value of marine ecosystems.
PML scientist leads Ocean Acidification Update of new marine climate change review
Dr Helen Findlay led an internationally recognised team to bring together the MCCIP Topic Review Update on Ocean Acidification.
Introducing 'Oceanus' — the world's first long-range autonomous research vessel
Plymouth Marine Laboratory announced plans for the world's first long-range autonomous research vessel, expanding our ocean observation capability.
Our funders
Organisations that have partnered with us
We are grateful to the philanthropic trusts, foundations and companies whose generosity sustains our vital research.
"Lloyd's Register Foundation has been delighted to support two apprenticeships on the globally unique Western Channel Observatory. The success of Becca and Oban is testament to their ability and to the care and dedication of the whole PML team."Dr Tim Slingsby, Director of Skills and Education — Lloyd's Register Foundation
Partner with us
How to get involved
We work with funders in a number of ways. Get in touch to discuss the right partnership for your organisation.
Fund a specific project
Support a defined research project aligned with your organisation's environmental priorities, with clear outcomes and reporting.
Support a research area
Provide sustained support for one of our core science challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, or marine pollution, to enable long-term research programmes.
Explore a partnership
From co-branded research initiatives to strategic philanthropy arrangements, we are open to exploring what a deeper partnership might look like.
Talk to our fundraising team
An investment in PML is an investment in the knowledge we need now to address the world's Ocean challenges. We would be delighted to hear from you.
Contact our fundraising team
Governance and credentials
Independently assessed and trusted
PML operates to the highest standards of research integrity and charitable governance. Here is what independent bodies have found.
PML received the highest impact scores of all NERC research centres in a 2020 evaluation by UK Research and Innovation. All four case studies assessed were deemed outstanding or to have very considerable reach and significance. View our impact case studies.
Plymouth Marine Laboratory is performing well with respect to the charity's governance. Learn more about our governance.
PML is certified in the NGOsource repository and has been deemed equivalent to a US public charity, facilitating international philanthropic partnerships.
Make a difference
Help us continue to develop solutions to the ocean's greatest challenges and make a lasting impact for future generations.
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