Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF)

Total Value of Fund:

Since its launch in May 2022, SMEEF has secured and distributed over £4 million in grant funding to projects focused on marine and coastal habitat recovery and enhancement across Scotland

Amount that can be applied for:

SMEEF does not set fixed minimum or maximum award amounts publicly. Eligible projects are assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on their scale and strategic fit with the Fund’s aims.

Percentage that can be applied for

SMEEF does not specify a standard percentage funding rate like some government grant schemes. Instead, funding awards are determined competitively based on project merit, demonstration of additionality, and strategic contribution to marine enhancement.

Who can apply

Projects must be based in Scotland and clearly focused on marine and coastal habitats. Non-profit and community organisations are eligible as lead applicants; for-profit organisations can participate within consortia led by eligible non-profit entities. SMEEF does not fund statutory functions or political campaigning activities.

From 2024 onwards SMEEF will allocate our funds across five different themes. They are:
• Seabed – to encompass work on seagrass, native oysters and other seabed species and habitats,
• Coastal – to encompass work on saltmarsh, sand dunes and other coastal species and habitats,
• Wider Seas – to encompass work on mobile species and wider seas,
• Seabirds – to encompass work aiming to benefit seabirds, and
• Research – funding work on strategic data and knowledge gaps.

Aims of the fund

• To recover, restore and enhance marine and coastal habitats and species. 
• To address climate and biodiversity emergencies through nature-based solutions. 
• To encourage collaborative, science-led research and development to improve restoration effectiveness. 
• To provide corporate social responsibility avenues for businesses and sectors that benefit from healthy seas to reinvest in marine environments.

Timing

SMEEF operates on an open, competitive basis, with grant themes and funding rounds announced as opportunities arise. Many current categories (e.g., seabed, coastal, research) are currently closed for applications, with future calls communicated via the SMEEF website and mailing list. Prospective applicants can register for updates to be notified of future funding windows.

Examples of successful projects

SMEEF has funded a variety of marine enhancement initiatives across Scotland, including:
• Seagrass restoration programmes, such as a £2.4 million seagrass planting initiative in partnership with SSEN Distribution covering multiple sites around Scotland. 
• Projects restoring coastal dunes and seagrass beds, improving marine monitoring technology, and supporting rescue efforts for stranded marine mammals. 
• Nearly 54 enhancement and restoration projects have been supported since its inception, demonstrating a range of ecological and community impacts.

Contact info

• General SMEEF enquiries: email info@smeef.scot (for mailing list and application updates). 
• Grant-specific enquiries: email grants@smeef.scot for direct discussions about project ideas and eligibility.
• Website: https://smeef.scot/