GovWire

The UK governments Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF) is a research and development (R&D) fund that launched in July 2019. A fourth call will open for applications and will launch in Autumn 2022. This will be an open call. The Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for Call 4 is now open. Please see the Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF) website for further details.

The SIF programme is now part of the UK Seafood Fund.

About the Seafood Innovation Fund

The SIF programme focuses on:

• delivering longer term, cutting-edge innovation across the seafood sector
• helping to take innovative ideas from early-stage research to commercial viability

The programme includes:

• primary producers
• onshore supply chains
• marine and diadromous fisheries
• marine and land-based aquaculture

The programme excludes:

• freshwater fishing
• recreational fishing

More information and resources can be found on the SIF website. This site includes information about projects funded in previous calls.

Who can apply

This is an open competition. All sectors can apply. Your products or services must benefit the sustainability and productivity of the UK seafood industry.

Applications for collaborative projects that include both seafood sector organisations and technology businesses are encouraged.

Eligibility

The programme supports the research and development of new innovative ideas. It does not provide backing for existing commercial technology.

To be considered for funding you must:

• provide an innovative idea or solution relevant to the seafood sector
• demonstrate long-term sustainability and environmental benefits
• be from an organisation of any size or type
• follow the full submission process correctly

Funding opportunities

SIF Call 4 will open in Autumn 2022. The Call 4 EOI process is now open and will close at 17:00 (GMT) on 31st October 2022.

Successful Call 3 feasibility study projects will be eligible to apply for larger R&D funding, following the completion of the feasibility phase, in Autumn 2022.

The first call for applications for feasibility studies and largerR&Dprojects opened in July 2019 and closed in early September 2019.

The second call for applications for feasibility studies and largerR&Dprojects opened in February 2020 and closed in late June 2020.

The third call for applications for feasibility studies opened in October 2021 and closed in January 2022.

Expression of Interest

You can complete an Expression of Interest form and send it to the Seafood Innovation Fund if you want to check if your initial project idea is eligible. The Seafood Innovation Fund will assess your project and aim to provide feedback within 20 working days. For further information please see the Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF) website.

A positive response to your Expression of Interest does not guarantee that you will be awarded funding. This will only be determined after your full project application has been through the full assessment process.

You do not have to fill in an Expression of Interest form and if you prefer you can make the full application for funding without initial advice.

How to apply

All applications must be submitted via the procurement portal.

You will need to register as either yourself or your organisation. After registering you can download all relevant documents and guidance to support your application.

Please make sure you read all the documents carefully as they provide essential guidance for your application.

Your application will not proceed to the next stage if it is:

• not completed correctly
• missing required documentation as stated in the guidance

If your application is declined

If your application to a Seafood Innovation Fund call is unsuccessful, you will receive notification via the Bravo procurement portal.

You have 28 days after the date of the outcome letter to request a review of the decision stating why you think an appeal is justified.

You should only request an appeal if you think that the decision was based on a factual, legal or processing error. Your request for a review should be sent to The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) at procure@cefas.co.uk.

An independent appeal officer will review the decision and will notify you of the outcome of your appeal within 6 weeks of receiving it.

If successful, you will be sent notification of the award.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, the appeal decision is final, and no further correspondence will be entered into.

Depending on the reason for refusal, you may re-apply with a new application.