New era for SAIC as it takes on new funding and relocates to Inverness

SAIC – formerly known as the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre – has today (April 1 2026) begun a new chapter by relocating to the Highlands from its longstanding home in Stirling, taking on new funding from the Scottish Government, and broadening its scope.

The innovation cluster has secured £1.4 million in annual funding from Crown Estate Scotland – administered by the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate – for a minimum of five years, to continue its central role in driving innovation in aquaculture through collaborative research and development (R&D) projects.  

As part of the changes, SAIC will relocate to the Life Sciences Innovation Centre at the Inverness Campus, within Highlands and Islands Enterprises’ section of the development. The organisation will also be renamed as the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster and become completely independent from its previous host institution, the University of Stirling.

The move places SAIC at the centre of Scottish aquaculture and allows it to directly fund companies for the first time, creating opportunities for greater SME engagement and strengthening its ability to support all parts of the sector, including shellfish, seaweed and other species. The wider scope will also be reflected in the creation of a new ‘stakeholder committee’ to help inform its activities, comprising representatives from across the sector and its supply chain.

Innovation is widely seen as a critical way for helping Scotland’s aquaculture sector – which contributes £468 million in annual gross value added (GVA) to the economy – to grow sustainably. Independent research from Frontline earlier this year found investment in innovation in Scotland’s salmon sector alone has surged to £184 million since 2018. To date, SAIC has invested £10.8 million in collaborative R&D projects and brought in £70.6 million in additional funding.

Over the last few years SAIC’s consortium has grown to more than 400 members, ranging from producers and universities to tech companies and retailers, as more organisations have embraced R&D projects. Sarah Riddle, who leads SAIC as its principal officer having originally joined the team during 2020, said the innovation cluster expects to issue its first funding call under the new arrangements very soon.

Sarah Riddle, principal officer at SAIC said: “Today marks a new start for SAIC and our support for the aquaculture sector. While it’s a new chapter, we are still made up of the same committed and knowledgeable team, working towards the same mission and ambition: helping aquaculture to grow sustainably through applied, high-quality R&D projects.

“What’s different now is that we can broaden our engagement to work with companies directly, supporting smaller operators which often do not have the need for complex academic projects that formed the majority of our previous work. That opens up new opportunities to deliver on our aims of enhancing fish health and wellbeing, improving climate resilience, and supporting production efficiency.

“We are incredibly grateful to the University of Stirling for hosting SAIC over the course of 13 years. Our new home in Inverness will place us at the heart of what is happening in aquaculture in the Highlands and Islands, where the majority of the sector’s produce is farmed and much of the innovation in the supply chain is happening.  

“With the foundations laid, we are excited to help Scotland’s aquaculture sector access the funding it needs to deliver innovation, sustainable growth, and a more prosperous future for our coastal and rural communities. Funding is the catalyst for taking the projects that will make that happen forward, and we plan to launch our first call in the very near future.”

Pieter van West, Professor at the University of Aberdeen and Chair of SAIC’s Independent Science Panel, commented: “Sustained investment in research and innovation is fundamental to the future of aquaculture in Scotland. This new phase for SAIC is very exciting and will play a vital role in advancing the knowledge, technologies, and practices required for a resilient and sustainable sector. By supporting high‑quality R&D projects and enabling wider participation between academia and industry, we can accelerate innovation that benefits not only academics and producers, but also our rural communities and the wider Scottish economy. I very much look forward to continuing my support for SAIC in this new chapter”

Alison Hutchins, producer engagement director at the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), added: “This is an exciting moment for Scotland’s aquaculture sector, and it’s great to see SAIC enter this new phase of growth and impact. Long‑term, stable funding for innovation is essential if producers are to continue advancing environmental performance and responsible farming practices. SAIC’s ability to directly fund companies for the first time opens the door to a more agile and inclusive innovation landscape, ensuring producers across the sector can access the tools and research they need to remain competitive.”

ENDS//

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Notes to editors

About SAIC

The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster Limited (trading as SAIC) is a Company Limited by Guarantee (SC881304). Formerly the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre and hosted by the University of Stirling, this arrangement will end on 31 March 2026. From 1 April 2026, SAIC will operate as an independent organisation with no operational or governance connection to the University of Stirling. 

SAIC drives innovation across Scotland’s aquaculture sector by acting as a bridge between industry, academia, and government stakeholders. Supporting the full breadth of the sector - finfish, shellfish, and seaweed - SAIC helps ensure that innovation delivers practical benefits throughout the supply chain. Aligned with the Scottish Government’s Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, SAIC provides the coordination, infrastructure, and evidence required to translate national priorities, parliamentary recommendations, and sector insights into meaningful progress. Its work advances key priorities such as fish health, environmental sustainability, production capacity, and the transition to net‑zero and climate‑resilient practices.