Marine Management Organisation
At least 65 million in grant funding is available through the Infrastructure Scheme. The scheme will fund projects that improve the UK seafood sector supply chain through investment in:
- improved capability at ports, harbours, processing, and aquaculture facilities
- the social and economic welfare of coastal communities
- fleet modernisation
- recreational sea fishing
This is a competitive scheme. To get funding, you must bid for a grant.
Find out about projects that have already been awarded Infrastructure Scheme funding.
The Infrastructure Scheme is part of the UK Seafood Fund.
When to apply
Round 2 is now open for applications.
You must submit your application before midday on 3 February 2023.
If you are successful, you must complete your project by March 2025.
Further rounds will open in early 2023. They will focus on fleet modernisation and recreational sea fishing.
Who can apply
The following types of organisations can apply for this grant:
- public bodies (including local authority ports and public charities)
- private small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- private non-SMEs
- fishermens associations
- private trusts and foundations
- trade associations
- officially recognised producer organisations set up by fishery or aquaculture producers
- trust ports
You must nominate a lead applicant to apply. They will receive the funding if your application is successful. They will also be responsible for running the project and reporting on its progress.
How to apply
You must apply using the UK Fisheries Support System (UKFSS).
Before you apply, read the:
- Infrastructure Scheme guidance - Invitation to Apply (ITA): this explains the requirements and criteria for round 2
- Infrastructure Scheme - agreement and terms: you must declare you agree to these documents as part of your application
Register on UKFSS
This video user guide explains how to register, ask a question and submit your application on the UKFSS.
Go to the UKFSS website.
Select Start now.
Read and accept the terms of use for the service and select Create an account.
Read and complete each page on the system select Next or Back to move between each page.
Once you have chosen a password, select Create Account.
You will be sent an email with a link to confirm and activate your account.
How to submit your application
Read the:
Complete the:
- qualification questions
- technical questions template
- total project cost template (Annex C)
- cost-benefit ratio template (Annex D)
Log in to your account on the UKFSS and:
- complete all online fields
- upload all documents listed above and those listed under section 2, paragraph 11 of the ITA
- submit your application
Ask a question
If youve already registered on UKFSS, you can submit a question through your account:
Log in and select Ask a question.
Select the scheme you would like to ask a question about, then select a category and a subject.
Enter your question in the text box provided and select Submit question.
Round 2 funding and tendering
Each successful applicant will be awarded a minimum of 150,000 and a maximum of 5 million.
Match funding
You need to provide match funding for your project. You must include evidence that you will provide match funding when you submit your application.
The amount of match funding you need to provide will depend on your organisation type. The maximum amount of funding from the Infrastructure Scheme as a percentage of total project cost is:
- 75% for public bodies and public charities
- 50% for private SMEs
- 30% for private non-SMEs
- 75% for private fishermens associations
- 50% for private foundations and trusts
- 75% for private producer organisations
- 75% for public body trust ports
- 50% for private trust ports
If you are unsure what level of match funding youre entitled to, please use the Ask a question service on UKFSS.
Tendering requirements
You need to submit evidence to support the tender exercise. If you cannot provide full tenders by the application deadline, you must submit them by 17 March 2023.
If your application is successful
We will conduct a site visit before the grant is awarded. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will contact you directly to arrange this.
If you pass the site visit, you will receive a notification and the grant funding agreement through the?UKFSS. You need to accept the agreement before you start your project.
If your application is unsuccessful
You will receive feedback through the?UKFSS?as to why your application was unsuccessful.
If you are unsuccessful in this round, you can re-apply in future rounds if you are eligible.
Keep up to date
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If you have any questions
You can submit questions about the application process or general enquiries within the UK Fisher