Coastal adaptation pilots Grant

About this grant

The Coastal Adaptation Pilots (CAPs) are a 2026-2029 programme run by the Environment Agency and Defra, announced 28 January 2026 with £30 million total. This guidance covers the £12 million coastal adaptation readiness strand, which funds practical actions to prepare places for long-term coastal change, as distinct from the £18 million advanced coastal adaptation strand for East Riding of Yorkshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. The programme addresses coastal erosion risk by testing practical solutions that communities can benefit from now and by building the evidence needed to shape future national policy and long-term funding. Eligible activity categories include community infrastructure adaptive solutions (improving or replacing damaged or at-risk community infrastructure such as toilet blocks or beach access, excluding temporary or permanent defences), transitional use of land in coastal erosion zones where rollback has occurred (non-permanent uses only), coastal adaptation planning to support managed transition, coastal authority delivery models and community support, and digital and technological tools for monitoring, decision-making or planning related to erosion. Proposals must focus on long-term adaptation or transition rather than emergency response or short-term repair, align with the relevant shoreline management plan, and be located where the management approach is 'no active intervention' or 'managed realignment' (locations under review moving from hold the line may be considered). Funding excludes new conventional coastal risk management assets, actions funded under other grants, recovery after erosion events, business-as-usual RMA duties, and actions in hold-the-line areas. The process uses an expression of interest stage: validation, technical panel scoring on value and viability, RFCC prioritisation, moderation, and then an outline business case prepared by the Environment Agency, with full business cases due by March 2027. Funded pilots must agree monitoring plans, submit quarterly updates, contribute to Environment Agency-led evaluation, and share outputs under the Open Government Licence.

Eligibility

Only coast protection authorities may lead applications and act as the accountable delivery body. Partnership bids with community groups, parish councils, non-government organisations such as charities or trusts, academic partners, coastal forums and infrastructure bodies are encouraged, with the CPA remaining accountable as pilot lead and partner roles set out in the application. Applicants must include at least a 10% local funding contribution from non-flood and coastal erosion risk funding. Geographic scope is England. The EOI window closed on 30 June 2026, so the call is no longer open for new submissions.

How it's scored

An independent technical panel of subject matter experts, chaired by the Environment Agency, scores expressions of interest against value (expected public benefits, alignment with shoreline management plans, contribution to learning, proportionality of costs) and viability (achievability within the 2026-2029 timeframe, organisational capability, mobilisation plans, risks and dependencies). Regional Flood and Coastal Committees then rank submissions within their areas considering local priorities and erosion risk. Final moderation balances technical scores with RFCC priorities to achieve a portfolio spanning risks, locations and adaptation actions. Eligibility requires demonstrated value for money, credible costs, and development of transferable learning.

Key requirements

• ✓Submit expression of interest to Environment Agency
• ✓Focus on adaptation readiness actions for coastal change preparation
• ✓Pilot-stage project demonstrating coastal resilience or adaptation measures
• ✓Alignment with long-term coastal adaptation strategy

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Environment Agency offer?

Coastal adaptation pilots offers $15M.

Who can apply for Coastal adaptation pilots?

Eligibility covers organisations in GB; local-authority, nonprofit, charity, social-enterprise, community-group, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Climate adaptation funding helps communities, infrastructure and businesses prepare for heat, flooding, drought and sea level rise. Most of it is public and multilateral money, often targeted at vulnerable regions and delivered with local government. Calls usually ask for a climate risk assessment and evidence that local people shaped the plan.