Applications | Wild Fisheries Fund

The Salmon Scotland Wild Fisheries Fund has been established to prioritise investment from the salmon farming sector towards effective and practical wild fisheries management.

The 2025 fund is now closed, with funding decisions made by 15 April 2025.

Salmon Scotland will grant up to £230,000 of funding to local projects in 2025.

The fund is open to all river catchment organisations throughout Scotland in 2025 but particular emphasis may be given to projects in the shared zone of aquaculture and wild salmon fisheries.

There is no limit to the size of grant that can be applied for, but Salmon Scotland encouraged both ambitious and small-scale applications, particularly by those organisations that historically have had limited funding opportunities available to them.

The rationale behind all applications should to address one or more of the identified key pressures in the Wild Salmon Strategy.

The fund puts a high priority on practical projects in the field – it is unlikely that projects of a purely academic or research nature will be funded.

The fund also recognises the potential in the use of contemporary salmon repopulation techniques using hatcheries, especially on highly vulnerable rivers, and such applications will be looked upon with particular interest. Please note that all such proposals should be in line with the current Marine Scotland stocking advice and early discussion with the appropriate licensing department is encouraged.

All successful applicants will agree to Salmon Scotland referencing their project in any of their communication material, particularly to showcase the activities of the fund. Regular updates and photos/videos may be requested by Salmon Scotland through the duration of the project.

All successful projects will report back to Salmon Scotland after one year and will present a final report at the completion of the project.

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FAQ

Is there a maximum or minimum sized grant that can be applied for?
No. There are no limits set on the size of grant available but as the fund is likely to be competitive, and in the interests of fairness, very large applications may be at a disadvantage in this competitive environment. Nevertheless, each application will be judged on its merits and its potential positive impact and any size of application, both large and small-scale, is encouraged.
We need new technical expertise that we don’t currently have. Can we apply for a new post?
The Wild Fisheries Fund will not support the salary of a new, permanent staff member. Nonetheless, the fund will consider a proportionate contribution to existing staff time that will be applied to the project for which funding is sought. If you need to hire a contractor or buy in specialist support this can be considered, but only for temporary roles directly linked to the project for which you are applying.
Can organisations apply for capital costs of purchasing equipment?
Yes the fund will consider applications for the purchase of equipment to deliver fishery management projects or investment in infrastructure for the benefit of local angling and community involvement.
Can organisations apply for funding to support existing work?
Organisations may apply for existing projects providing they have a strong fit with the fund's aims and can evidence indicators of success.
If an organisation is successful will they receive full costs or is there an expectation of match funding?
Salmon Scotland will fund the full project's costs where possible; however, it may be that some costs applicable for the project would be ineligible under our current criteria, and therefore, we would require evidence of match funding in these circumstances.
Can an organisation apply for multiple projects or apply as a partnership as well as individually?
Yes, however, it will be noted that the organisation has more than one bid or has a partnership with other bids to be considered. It could be that in the interest of fairness, only one of the applications is funded.
My organisation received a grant under the Wild Salmonid Fund in 2021, 2022 or 2023. Can I re-apply?
Yes. Beneficiary organisations from previous years of the WSF and WFF programmes will be eligible to submit a grant application under the 2024 Salmon Scotland Wild Fisheries Fund.