Frequently Asked Questions

OPERATIONAL CHANGE

1. Why has this change happened?

SAIC transitioned to a new operational model because its original funding arrangement came to an end. The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre was funded through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and hosted by the University of Stirling. This model ended in July 2024. The Scottish Government - and the sector more widely - were determined that a long-term future for SAIC should be secured. To allow time to plan, SAIC received transition funding from SFC and the Scottish Government between August 2024 and March 2026, with hosting still provided by the University.

During this transition period, consultations were held with stakeholders and several operational models were considered. The preferred option was to establish a new independent organisation, developed with Scottish Government input on structure and governance. This approach would remove the need for a host organisation and allow SAIC to transition fully into a standalone entity.
Becoming independent enables SAIC to operate with autonomy, clarity of purpose and focus. It removes potential conflicts of interest and ensures SAIC can work on a not for profit basis, fully aligned with the needs and priorities of the sector it serves.

2. What is SAIC’s new operational model?

SAIC is now a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in Scotland, and continues to trade as ‘SAIC’. The model supports clear and robust governance and a not‑for‑profit operational approach. It enables SAIC to operate independently while working closely with the private sector, academia, government, and the wider innovation ecosystem.

3. When did this happen?

SAIC became fully independent on 1 April 2026, following the conclusion of hosting arrangements with the University of Stirling on 31 March 2026.

CONNECTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING

4. What is SAIC’s relationship with the University of Stirling?

SAIC is now fully independent and has no operational or governance connection to the University of Stirling. However, SAIC continues to collaborate with research partners across Scotland, including the university’s Institute of Aquaculture, on mutually beneficial research, innovation, and project activity.

5. Where is SAIC now based?

SAIC is located at the Life Sciences Innovation Centre, Inverness Campus, Inverness IV2 5NA. The location strengthens SAIC’s connection with the aquaculture sector, rural and island communities, and the wider innovation and life sciences ecosystem. SAIC continues to operate largely as a virtual team, using Inverness as a central and accessible hub.

COMPANY STRUCTURE

6. What does the new structure look like?

SAIC is a Company Limited by Guarantee, overseen by a business-focused Board of Directors and guided by formal Articles of Association, with its accounts subject to external audit to ensure transparency and accountability.

Two advisory groups will provide strategic insight, sector representation, and scientific guidance and help shape SAIC’s direction. A Stakeholder Committee will provide broad sector representation across finfish, shellfish and seaweed. A Science Panel will offer scientific guidance and scrutiny to ensure high quality, impactful project delivery. Together, these elements are designed to support a strong, independent organisation focused on delivering benefit across Scotland’s aquaculture sector.

The SAIC Consortium - a free network for aquaculture professionals and academics to connect, collaborate, and get advice on funding opportunities – remains an important part of the new organisation.

7. Who is on the Board of Directors?

Information about Board members is available on the SAIC website. Board appointments follow structured governance principles, ensuring diverse and relevant expertise.

8. What does the SAIC delivery team look like?

SAIC continues largely as a remote team, without the overheads of a dedicated office, in order to maximise the support we can offer to the sector. The lean team includes a mix of part time and full time roles, with a maximum headcount of seven, including: Principal Officer/CEO, 2 x Aquaculture Innovation Officers, Project Support & Finance Officer, Knowledge Exchange Manager, Knowledge Exchange Officer, and Finance Manager. External expertise is contracted for areas such as HR and IT, allowing SAIC to remain flexible and cost‑efficient.

9. How does SAIC support the Scottish Government’s Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture?

By aligning innovation with national priorities, sustainability goals, climate resilience, regulatory recommendations, and long‑term sector needs. SAIC acts as a bridge between the private sector, academia, and government to turn ambition into practical progress.

10. Is SAIC a ‘Cluster’ as set out under the Scottish Government’s National Innovation Strategy?

One of the key components of the Scottish Government’s National Innovation Strategy is a network of innovation clusters in key sectors to foster collaboration and drive productivity. ‘Clusters’ are groups of organisations that work together in a concentrated area of expertise to drive economic growth, collaboration and innovation.

While SAIC has not been formally designated as a cluster in this sense, it already fulfils several of the characteristics associated with one. Its role has always been to connect problems with problem solvers, bringing together the private sector, academia, government and the wider innovation ecosystem to address shared challenges.

ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION

11. How do I join the Stakeholder Committee or Science Panel?

Information on membership processes will be published once the committees are formally established. SAIC is committed to open, transparent, and inclusive appointment processes.

12. How do I join the SAIC Consortium?

Information on how to join the SAIC Consortium is published on our website. Membership remains open, inclusive, and designed to bring together organisations from across the aquaculture sector. If you are interested in joining, contact us via info@scottishaquaculture.com in the first instance.

13. How can organisations engage with SAIC?

Organisations can engage with SAIC through a range of activities, including collaborative R&D projects, events, networking opportunities, participation in the SAIC Consortium, strategic partnerships, and knowledge exchange activities. We also support early stage idea development through our innovation and knowledge exchange teams.
You can connect with us via email at info@scottishaquaculture.com, or on LinkedIn at SAIC – Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster.

FUNDING

14. How is SAIC funded?

SAIC receives an annual grant of £1.4m from the Scottish Government, using income collected by Crown Estate Scotland. This supports core operations and forms seed funding for project delivery. Additional impact is achieved through leveraged co‑funding from the private sector, academia, and other partners.

15. How will funding be allocated?

Funding will support a competitive bid-based project fund, internal project development and coordination activities, and SAIC’s lean operational model. The funding approach prioritises high‑impact, co‑funded collaboration across the sector.

16. What types of projects are eligible?

Eligible applicants may include the private sector, academia, supply chain organisations, and third-sector bodies, depending on call criteria. Projects must demonstrate strong collaboration, sector relevance, innovation, and clear potential impact.

17. What types of projects will not be funded?

Projects lacking collaborative value, duplicating existing work, or failing to align with SAIC’s mission and priorities will not be funded.

18. How will SAIC ensure representation across the sector?

The Stakeholder Committee and Science Panel will ensure balanced representation across finfish, shellfish, seaweed, and emerging aquaculture sectors. SAIC is committed to supporting innovation across all species groups and production systems.

19. What are SAIC’s priority innovation areas?

Priority areas include fish health and welfare, environmental sustainability, production capacity, climate resilience, net‑zero transition, and enabling technologies such as automation, robotics, AI, IoT, and digital systems.

20. When will the first funding call be launched?

The first call will be announced as once operational processes, governance arrangements, and the confirming the processes needed to manage the bid fund are in place – potentially as early as summer 2026. Details and timelines will be shared as soon as they are confirmed.
TRAINING & KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

21. Does SAIC offer training and knowledge‑exchange opportunities?

SAIC no longer supports formal training routes such as taught MSc programmes or PhD studentships. However, knowledge exchange remains a critical part of our mission. SAIC will continue to deliver workshops designed to drive collaborative, sector needed research, alongside project case studies, webinars, and other activities that help share insight and accelerate innovation across aquaculture.

MORE INFORMATION

22. Who can I contact for more information?

SAIC will host a series of online sessions throughout April to outline our immediate priorities, explain the new structure, and give participants plenty of time to ask questions. Details will be shared on our website and mailing lists. We will also be attending Aquaculture UK in June, where stakeholders will have the opportunity to meet the team and ask questions directly.
In the meantime, enquiries can be directed through standard SAIC communication channels.