Call for marine economy projects to help form £20m funding bid
23rd December 2025
HIE is looking for projects that will have a significant and long-lasting impact on the economy.
Businesses and research organisations operating in the Highlands and Islands marine economy are being asked for ambitious project ideas to help secure £20m for the region.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is leading the region's bid to the UK Government's Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF).
If successful, the funding will cover a five-year period to support large-scale, collaborative projects that drive commercialisation of research and innovative new technologies.
There will be a focus on two main areas. One is on clean blue energy systems, such as offshore wind, tidal energy and innovative energy solutions. The other is on sustainable aquaculture, including finfish, shellfish, algae, marine biotechnology, and advanced processing.
HIE is looking for projects that will have a significant and long-lasting impact on the economy. They should align with UK Industrial Strategy priorities of clean energy and advanced manufacturing and have the potential to position Scotland as an exemplar or global leader in a particular area.
They should also have clear pathways to commercialisation and community wealth building, as well as a minimum private sector co-investment of two-thirds.
Elaine Jamieson, HIE's head of life sciences and blue economy, said, "The marine or blue economy represents a massive economic opportunity for the Highlands and Islands, Scotland and the UK. The region is ideally placed to lead the way in the responsible and sustainable growth in clean marine energy and sustainable aquaculture.
We have the natural assets in the form of two-thirds of the UK's coastline. We also have a very strong track record in marine innovation, as well as the knowledge and expertise to deliver projects that create high-value jobs, attract investment, and build long-term prosperity.
"We're asking businesses and organisations operating in the blue economy sectors of clean energy and sustainable aquaculture to contact us with details of major ambitious innovation projects they’re developing. Some of these could be included in the bid and improve the likelihood of us securing this major funding boost for the region."
Project ideas should be submitted to HIE by Wednesday 21 January 2026. These will be assessed by a panel of experts ahead of the HIE bid to LIPF on 12 February.
