England’s fishing businesses can now claim grant funding towards new engines and gearboxes under the expanded Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) — with contribution rates of 65% for the Small Scale Coastal Fleet installing new petrol or diesel engines, 50% for all other vessels, and 90% for electric or hybrid engines regardless of vessel size. Separately, the scheme’s competitive funding round panel has set Friday 13 November 2026 as the next deadline for projects seeking grants of £250,000 or more.
Scheme at a Glance
| Scheme | Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS), England |
| Administered by | Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for Defra |
| Funding Pot | Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund — £132 million over the next five years (part of a £304 million, 12-year commitment) |
| Engine Grant Rates | 65% (Small Scale Coastal Fleet, petrol/diesel) · 50% (other vessels, petrol/diesel) · 90% (electric/hybrid, any vessel) |
| Panel Deadline (£250k+ projects) | Friday 13 November 2026 |
| Projects below £250,000 | Assessed on a first-come, first-served basis |
| Status | Open (as of 23 October 2026) |
Who Can Apply
- The scheme is open to anyone involved in fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing, marine conservation or related environmental work in England.
- FaSS reopened on 13 April 2026 and has seen strong demand — over £5 million of investment has already been approved for projects to date, per the MMO.
- The MMO offers dedicated support for first-time applicants through its grants team.
What Gets Funded
- New vessel engines and gearboxes — including electric and hybrid options at the highest support rate (90%).
- Shore-based facilities — improving resilience and sustainability of onshore infrastructure.
- Energy improvements on vessels, health and safety upgrades, and conservation of the marine environment.
- Cooperative activities, capability building, advisory services, diversification and new forms of income.
2026 Funding-Round Priorities
Competitive funding rounds (grants over £250,000) focus this year on three priority areas: labour and workforce development, community partnerships, and infrastructure. Large projects must be considered by the funding round panel — the 13 November 2026 deadline gives high-value applicants one more window this year. Further panel dates for 2027 will be announced in due course.
How to Apply
- Review the relevant guidance note for your project type on the official FaSS page before applying.
- Apply online through GOV.UK. If your grant request is £250,000 or more, submit with all supporting documents by 13 November 2026 to be considered at the November panel.
- For grants below £250,000 (including standard engine upgrades), applications are assessed first come, first served — no panel deadline applies.
- Contact the MMO grants team for support: telephone 0208 026 5539 or email FaSS.queries@marinemanagement.org.uk.
Official scheme page: GOV.UK — Fisheries and Seafood Scheme
Official announcement (engine expansion): GOV.UK — FaSS support expanded to engines and gearboxes
All dates, rates and figures above are taken from official GOV.UK / MMO announcements (published 15 September 2026 and July 2026), verified 23 October 2026. FaSS covers England only. Always confirm details on the official page before applying.