Seafish to fund innovation in aquaculture

The Seafish Industry Project Fund is now in its fourth year, supporting research and development partnership projects, grant assistance for innovative ideas and bursaries for students. The Fund is designed to support work that has widespread benefit to the industry and is dedicated to raising standards and improving efficiency within the UK seafood industry. Based on last year’s figures, funding for this round of IPF will result in projects valued at nearly £3m.This year there are some fundamental changes to the way the Fund will operate. Concept Evaluation Forms have been introduced as the first step for recording initial ideas. After first discussing the idea with a member of the Seafish staff, applicants need to provide a short description of the proposed work, which will allow the idea’s merit and eligibility to be assessed. The Concept Evaluation Form will be evaluated by a Seafish Executive Review Group. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their proposals in late March, and any funding awarded will be available from April 2009.