Seabird Resilience Fund: Taking Flight round 2 – Summary
On 27 July 2026, SMEEF launched the second open grants round of our Seabird Resilience Fund. ‘Taking Flight’ is designed to accelerate progress against the Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan and its aim of maximising seabird prospects and building resilience in seabird populations
SMEEF sought Expressions of Interest for projects which support a broad range of seabird conservation projects, for example, piloting novel technologies to support monitoring, conducting survey and scoping activities, and fostering collaboration and engagement that enhances seabird conservation.
Taking Flight was open for Expressions of Interest (EoI) for 4 weeks, closing at midday on Friday 21st August 2026. A shortlist of successful applications will then be invited to submit a Full Application in October.
We also held a free webinar on Wednesday 5th August, 9:30 – 10:30am where prospective applicants heard directly from the grants team and asked questions – a recording is available on the website.
We aim to complete the application process by February 2027.
Round 1 successful projects
Three projects were successfully awarded grants from round 1 of Taking Flight. These projects are:
Atlantic58 – Building seabird resilience across the Summer Isles
This project seeks to complete an archipelago-wide population estimate for European storm petrels and a co-ordinated mink biosecurity and rapid response plan.
Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust – Seabird recovery feasibility study
This project will carry out a feasibility study for rat eradication across the island, in partnership with the RSPB, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Isle of Eigg Residents Association.
Biosecurity for Scotland – Securing a lasting legacy
This project supports the continuation of the Biosecurity for Scotland work, and will enable the effective handover of many of their existing focus areas of work including the Rapid Incursion Response Hubs and the biosecurity volunteer surveillance programme.
Outstanding questions can be sent to grants@smeef.scot