How to access funding through SAIC

Applications for the first round close on 15 May 2026. 

The Marine Fund Scotland is back for 2026–27—supporting projects that drive innovation, sustainability, and growth across marine industries.

The funding can support eligible individuals, businesses, organisations and communities to deliver projects which contribute to an innovative and sustainable marine economy, reducing carbon emissions and supporting coastal communities.

The fund aims to accelerate progress towards the Scottish Government’s Blue Economy Vision for 2045. Central to this vision is the sustainable use of ocean resources, ensuring benefits for present and future generations.

Projects applying to MFS 2026-27 must demonstrate how they deliver against the Blue Economy outcomes. The fund also supports priorities set out in the Fisheries Management Strategy 2020–2030 and Scotland’s Strategy for Seafood.

Who can apply?
The Marine Fund Scotland is open to:

• Individuals
• Businesses (inc. sole traders)
• Organisations and charities
• Community groups
• New entrants seeking support to purchase a first fishing vessel or share ('young fishers')

Projects must fall within one or more of these purposes:

• Supporting commercial fishing and aquaculture
• Enhancing or restoring marine and aquatic environments
• Improving safety and training
• Strengthening the economic and social wellbeing of coastal areas
• Promoting recreational fishing

Encouraging innovation and added value
The fund welcomes applications that deliver clear additionality, e.g., addressing market failures, supporting new technology, modernising infrastructure, or enabling more sustainable practices. While examples are provided in the guidance, the Scottish Government emphasises flexibility to encourage innovative and impactful ideas.

How to apply
Full details on eligibility, required information, assessment criteria, and the application portal are available through the official guidance notes.

Read the full guidelines

If you would like support with drawing down third-party funding, please contact us to find out how we can help: projects@sustainableaquaculture.com

To view some of the projects we have supported to help reduce the environmental footprint and increase the economic impact of aquaculture, see our projects pages.

Closing date: 17th April 2026

NAPIC has opened its Collaborative Programme Funding to support partnerships that accelerate innovation in photonic integrated circuits. The funding is aimed at UKRI-eligible research organisations leading collaborative projects with UK-registered non-academic partners, including businesses of any size, public sector bodies, charities and not-for-profits.

Different funding streams are available, including Proof of Concept, Demonstration, Innovation Sprint, Networking and Mobility Awards.

Find out more

Closing date: Please visit FHF for to find out more about specific funding calls. 

The calls relating to aquaculture cover the following topics: 

• Developing new technologies for the removal of CO2 from water used in aquaculture operations; 
• Generating knowledge about the rehabilitation of flora and fauna in the benthic environment below fish farms that have been fallowed or where operations have ceased; 
• Developing new or improved sensors for the measurement of water quality; 
• Obtaining knowledge about salmon’s need for vitamin D under various farming conditions, particularly in production systems with little or no access to natural light, but also during seasonal variations in conventional open-pen farming; 
• Generating knowledge about Cand. Branchiomonas cysticola in relation to the development of gill disease in farmed salmonids, specifically around transmission routes, susceptibility, and disease course, as a foundation for better control and prevention measures. 

You can find out more here. If you would like support with accessing third-party funding, why not contact us to find out how we can help? Email: projects@sustainableaquaculture.com 

Closing date: Fund refreshes annually on 1 January

This fund, managed by Salmon Scotland, supports postgraduate research projects relevant to the Scottish salmon farming sector. The fund aims to foster innovation and develop future talent by offering:

• Grants: Up to three awards annually, each up to £2.5K (larger projects considered with prior approval).
• Industry links: Access to Salmon Scotland members and professionals for project support.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be enrolled in a recognised university or college, with projects focused on areas such as:

• Sea lice biology and management
• Oceanography and farm connectivity
• Salmon health and welfare
• Planning systems, communities, and social licence
• Environmental impacts and mitigation

For full details and how to apply

Closing date: visit the Shell-volution website for details. 

The Shell-volution Challenge Fund supports innovative ideas that address real-world challenges in Scotland’s mussel farming industry. Projects are delivered through tenders advertised on Public Contracts Scotland.

Shell-volution expects to run one or two funding rounds each year, and details of any active or upcoming opportunities will be posted on the Shell-volution website.

For more information, visit UHI's Shell-volution Challenge Fund page.

Closing date: this programme is anticipated to run until March 2029. If funds are committed earlier, the programme will close.  

Introducing digital technology into your business has many advantages, including cutting costs, speeding up processes, improving customer insights, creating the ability to make faster business decisions, reduce carbon emissions and increase revenue.

HIE recommend that organisations applying for this fund should have a digital action plan or feasibility study in place before making an enquiry. If you require support with this, please see our Digital Specialist Advice Programme Fund, which may help cover the costs of 1-2-1 consultancy on digital technologies. 

Digital technologies that may be supported with a capital grant include:

Robotics |sensor technologies | Internet of Things | data innovation |  
cyber security | software development | AI | AR/VR | 3D visualisations |
additive manufacturing and laser machining |

Projects that have an element of ‘deep tech’ will also be considered, for example, blockchain, photonics, aerospace and space technologies, electronics, cyber threat intelligence and quantum computing.

Find out more and apply: HIE Digital and Technology Adoption Capital Grant

Please note: This grant is now closed to new enquiries until April 2026.

Introducing digital technology into your business has many advantages, including cutting costs, speeding up processes, improving customer insights, creating the ability to make faster business decisions and increase revenue. 

This funding is available to cover the costs of 1-2-1 consultancy on digital technologies leading to an action plan or a feasibility study for your business.

Digital technologies may include:

Robotics |sensor technologies | Internet of Things | data innovation |  
cyber security | software development | AI | AR/VR | 3D visualisations |
additive manufacturing and laser machining |

Projects with elements of ‘deep tech’ will also be considered, e.g., blockchain, photonics, aerospace and space technologies, electronics, cyber threat intelligence, fusion power and quantum computing.

Visit HIE's website to find out more and apply

Closing date: This programme will run until 31 March 2026.

You'll learn about the benefits of using AI technologies and get insight into whether your business or social enterprise would benefit from using AI technologies as part of your business activities.

Find out more.

Closing date: not stated on website. Please contact Hatch Blue. 

Hatch Blue is a global innovation and investment firm specialising in early-stage technology companies along the whole value chain of sustainable aquaculture and ocean conservation to generate high returns, lower carbon emissions and regenerate biodiversity of oceans.

Contact Hatch Blue for further information and begin your application