Grants

SMEEF is a flexible fund that responds to the needs of the marine restoration community in Scotland. We design criteria specifically for each round which respond to the needs of the network and emerging and established policy.

We fund work to benefit the marine environment. So whether a project is focused on collaboration and engagement, survey or sampling, planting or propagation as long as saltwater plays a crucial role in the natural life cycle of the species and habitats at the heart of your work, SMEEF will try to help.

There is no maximum or minimum physical size of the project. We encourage applicants to work at a manageable scale where outcomes can be measured and to consider the strategic fit with other protection and enhancement measures such as the Marine Protected Areas network and national and regional marine planning. 

Projects should always:

• Be as collaborative as possible and have a clear engagement plan for involving interested groups,
• Demonstrate clear additionality to existing and already committed actions,
• Be informed by science; driven by knowledge and backed up by monitoring.

Please note that there is a lot of useful advice available in our Toolkit and on the NatureScot website. In particular applicants are encouraged to pay close attention to the: 

• Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations 
• Community Led Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Handbook

SMEEF funds constituted groups and organisations. For-profit organisations are welcome to apply to SMEEF, but they should form part of a consortium application with a non-profit or community group. 

The applicant(s) must be based in the UK and all projects must be delivered in Scotland. 

SMEEF does not fund campaign related work or statutory functions.

We will not normally fund exactly the same project twice. However, we can fund a new phase of an ongoing or existing project. 

We cannot pay for activities that have already started. 

Projects must focus on the marine and coastal environment. The habitats and species at the heart of the project should be reliant on the marine environment as a major part of their nutrient or life cycle. 

All outputs must be open access, have a robust methodology and be reviewed by relevant experts.

You must acknowledge your grant appropriately.

Costs that can usually be funded:

• Staff costs inclusive of salary, National Insurance and Employee Pension Contributions
• Professional fees including training that is appropriate and proportionate to the project
• Travel and subsistence for staff and volunteers supporting delivery of the project 
• Project evaluation 
• Equipment and resources 
• Dissemination of project outcomes
• Irrecoverable VAT

We recognise that each proposal is unique and other non-standard items may be needed. 

What will not be funded?

• SMEEF is unable to fund statutory functions
• The main applicant cannot be a for profit company, however they can make up a minority interest of a consortium bid
• The project can include financial returns or cost recovery through a financial mechanism but the main aim of the project must be biodiversity/ecosystem gains, not profit.
• SMEEF will not fund political activity or campaigns
• SMEEF will not usually be able to cover ‘Full Cost Recovery’ for staff posts

Details of how to apply will differ depending on the grant round open. Please sign up to our mailing list to be kept informed.