Marine Fund Scotland 2023 to 2024: guidance

How do I apply to the Marine Fund Scotland 2023-24 ?

Applications to the Marine Fund Scotland 2023-24 should be completed in the dedicated Marine Scotland Funding Portal.

Please register on the Marine Scotland Funding Portal, complete the online application form, and ensure that all relevant documentation is attached before submitting your application.

If the application you submit is incomplete, it will be put on hold and will not be progressed until you have provided us with all of the information that is required. We will send you an email to let you know we have had to put your application on hold, and what further information we need to process your application. When you have provided the further information and we consider your application complete, we will confirm by email that your application has been take off hold and will be processed.

The 'Key information' section of these General Guidance notes sets out that any costs incurred between receiving a confirmation from us that we have received an application and (if an application is successful) receiving a formal grant offer letter are incurred at an applicant's (or their organisation's) own risk.

If you have any problems with, or questions about, the e-system feel free to contact the team at MFS@gov.scot.

What documentation will I need to complete my application?

This section sets out what documentation you will need to complete and/or provide to submit your application to the Marine Fund Scotland 2023-24 on the Marine Scotland Funding Portal. We may ask you for additional information or documentation that is not listed here, if this is necessary for assessing your application. This may vary depending on your/your organisation's status, the type of project/work for which you are applying for funding, and the size of grant you are applying for.

Financial documentation

We need to carry out a series of checks on all grant applicants to confirm they are suitable to receive a grant award. This is called due diligence. To enable these checks to be completed, certain documents and/or information must be included in the application, either within or in addition to the business case.

The following documents must be submitted as part of each application (where applicable):

• last two years of signed (and preferably audited) financial statements, including:
  • profit and loss account
  • balance sheet
  • Directors' report
• details of:
  • internal/external audit function
  • policies on fraud, bribery and corruption
  • cash flow forecast

Depending on your/your organisation's status and the type of project/work for which you are applying for funding, you may also need to provide:

• confirmation you have contacted the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regarding changes to your vessel, such as engine replacements, structural modifications or additions (vessels only). Responsibility for any work undertaken which renders a vessel unstable or unsafe remains entirely with the owner/skipper of the vessel. See further details in the 'Additional rules and obligations' section of these General Guidance notes.
• MCA Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate (vessels and young fishers).
• valid form of identification (ID) such as a current driver's licence or passport (we accept scanned copies). This is a requirement for sole traders and each partner in a partnership. Unincorporated associations or community groups must provide ID to verify the nominated person submitting the application on behalf of the group or association.
• evidence of engagement with impacted or affected persons, bodies or organisations, including those who may be negatively impacted.
• letter(s) of support from relevant bodies, individuals, or organisations supporting your application and the benefits you say it will deliver. For young fishers, a letter of support may include an employment reference supporting the applicant in their required level of experience to apply for funding.
• quotes for costs to be incurred:
  • for public law bodies, applicants must follow the relevant procurement rules that apply to them and the value of the work for which they are applying for funding.
  • for private applicants:
    • if the eligible quote is up to £1,500 (inclusive) – at least one quote must be provided.
    • if the eligible quote is from £1,500.01 up to £5,000 (inclusive) – at least two quotes must be provided or a comment must be entered into the e-system application explaining why at least two quotes have not been provided.
    • if the eligible quote is from £5,000.01 up to £50,000 – at least three quotes must be provided or a comment must be entered explaining why at least three quotes have not been provided.
    • if the eligible quote is equal to or over £50,000.01 – three quotes or evidence of tender including evidence of the evaluation system used, details of the chosen tender and scoring, is required.
• company/charity and Value Added Tax (VAT) registration numbers.
• organisation headcount and details of anonymised equality diversity monitoring information, including relating to the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010.