The Science and Research Fund (SRF) is part of the Marine Stewardship Council’s Ocean Stewardship Fund. It supports strategic and applied research that can help MSC-certified fisheries maintain and improve environmental sustainability.
For the 2026/27 funding round, the fund is specifically seeking research that can help reduce the impacts of fisheries on endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species. Projects should produce practical knowledge, evidence, tools or solutions that can strengthen fisheries management and have the potential to benefit more than one fishery.
About the Organization
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a global nonprofit organisation focused on sustainable fishing and healthy oceans. It works with fisheries, scientists, industry and other stakeholders to encourage environmentally sustainable fishing practices and uses its certification programme and blue fish label to help promote sustainable seafood.
MSC’s Ocean Stewardship Fund provides funding for fishery improvements and research. Since 2020, the fund has awarded more than £1.8 million through 41 research grants.
What Research Does the Fund Support?
The 2026/27 call is focused on ETP species and the impacts of fishing activities on these species.
Projects could address areas such as:
- Filling important evidence gaps on interactions between fisheries and ETP species.
- Understanding bycatch risks and identifying where and when interactions occur.
- Developing or testing new monitoring and assessment methods.
- Using technologies such as electronic monitoring, AI or risk mapping.
- Developing or testing innovative fishing gear and bycatch-reduction technologies.
- Testing deterrent or exclusion methods.
- Developing decision-support tools for fishers and fisheries managers.
- Testing solutions that have already worked elsewhere and adapting them to new fisheries or regions.
- Developing approaches that can be applied across multiple fisheries.
The fund places particular value on research that can move beyond producing knowledge alone and lead to practical improvements in fisheries management, industry practices or implementation.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is intended for organisations and research teams capable of delivering applied fisheries research. Potential applicants and partners can include:
- Research institutions and universities
- Conservation organisations and NGOs
- Fisheries organisations
- Government or fisheries-management institutions
- Research partnerships and other relevant organisations
However, the research must be relevant to at least one MSC-certified fishery and demonstrate how the work can help strengthen its environmental sustainability. Projects with potential to generate benefits for several fisheries are particularly encouraged.
Important: This is therefore not a general grant for any marine or ocean project. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a direct and credible link to an MSC-certified fishery.
Geographic Eligibility
The call is international in scope, and MSC’s previous funded research has included projects across different regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas. For example, previous projects have supported research involving South African and Namibian fisheries and tuna fisheries in Papua New Guinea.
Applicants should nevertheless check the detailed 2026/27 guidance and ensure that their proposed research meets the MSC requirements concerning the relevant fishery.
Funding & Benefits
Successful projects can receive:
- Up to £50,000 in funding.
- Project support for a period of up to two years.
- Funding for research designed to produce practical solutions for sustainable fisheries.
- Potential for research findings to inform fisheries management and industry practice.
- Opportunity for solutions and evidence to contribute to improvements across more than one fishery.
The MSC also expects funded research to share knowledge and data with relevant researchers, fishers, policymakers and other stakeholders, helping successful projects have wider practical impact.
Application Process
The 2026/27 call uses a two-stage process:
1. Expression of Interest
Applicants first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the MSC’s application system.
The EOI should clearly explain:
- The research problem.
- The ETP species or fisheries issue being addressed.
- The relevant MSC-certified fishery.
- The proposed research and methodology.
- Expected results and practical application.
- How the research could contribute to wider fisheries sustainability.
2. Full Proposal
Applicants whose Expressions of Interest are shortlisted will be invited to develop and submit a Full Proposal.
The MSC recommends reviewing the official application guidance and eligibility requirements before submitting an EOI.
Deadline
18 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
The current MSC funding page confirms that the Science and Research Fund is OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
The fund is particularly relevant for research teams working at the intersection of:
Sustainable fisheries
Marine biodiversity
ETP species conservation
Bycatch reduction
Fisheries management
Monitoring and technology
Ocean sustainability
Applied conservation research
A strong proposal should not only identify a fisheries problem but also show how the research can produce practical solutions that fisheries can use.
