Our grants

To see a map of HIEF supported projects click here

  • Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust – Plock pilot

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  • Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS) – Scotland’s red snows:exploring & showcasing snow algae in Scotland

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  • Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust – Kyle of Sutherland Community Tree Nursery

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  • Marine Conservation Society – Beachwatch Highlands & Islands

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  • The GRAB Trust: Beaches and Marine Litter Project (BMLP)

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  • Blue Hope Alliance Project Phase 2: Surveys, Communication and Engagement

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  • CAOLAS – Morvern biodiversity restoration action plan- baseline survey

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  • Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust (HWDT) – 30 years of minke whale research in the Hebrides

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  • Sylvestris: Moray farm cluster

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  • Marine mapping & modelling resources – phase 3

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  • Wildfish: Increasing Smartrivers coverage in Scotland

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  • Orkney Marine Mammal Research Initiative (OMMRI): Harbour porpoise annual aggregation research project

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  • Young People at COAST, Youth Action Plan

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  • Marine Litter data collection and monitoring on Scottish Islands

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  • Net cutting collection & recycling pilot programme

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  • Seagrass germination pilot programme

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  • Rewilding Ardura community woodland project

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  • Guardians of our rivers

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  • Mapping & modelling resources – phase 2

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  • Lower plants specialist – year 2

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  • River Spey Partnership

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  • North Ronaldsay Beach Plastic Recycling Warden

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  • RSPB Scotland Abernethy Community Woodland Rangers

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  • WDC Shorewatch Youth Programme

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  • Highland Primary Schools Birdboxes – year 2

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  • Wester Ross native oyster restoration

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  • Coastal Ranger service – extension

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  • Mapping & modelling resource for coastal communities

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  • Cairngorm Cranes, development period

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  • Blue Hope Alliance – project officer, marine conservation

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  • Friends of Loch Hourn – fact finding mission

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  • Knapdale water vole project

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  • De facto ban of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) by salmon farms

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  • West Loch Ness Farm Cluster

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  • Highland Primary Schools Birdbox project

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  • The Argyll Coast and Islands Hope Spot

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  • Lochaline Native Oyster Restoration

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  • Saving Scotland’s Rainforest

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  • Lower plants specialist post

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  • Beach Ranger

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HIEF Supported Projects

Grant criteria Overview

  • WHO: Local non-profit organisations, associations, clubs or unions, social cooperative enterprises and/or other local bodies, including research centres, are strongly encouraged to apply for grants.

  • Non-local applicants already active in the area, or experts, may also be eligible for grants and strategic partnerships, if they prove that they can offer capacity building to the locals and/or tangible impact through their work on the ground.

  • All applicants must display strong and effective leadership and emphasise an integrated, bottom-up approach, consulting with, mobilising and involving local communities and demonstrating positive community impact.

  • WHAT: Applications for funding from the HIEF should fit into one of the Foundation’s key areas of interest and demonstrate clear, measurable environmental impact.

  • The proposed projects shall be clear and compelling, with the objective to create measurable and sustainable long-term results, build capacity and encourage participation by the local society.

  • Ideally, the proposed activities shall be sufficiently visible to leverage additional support from other funding sources.

  • WHERE: The HIEF will support projects throughout the Scottish highlands and islands. Projects with opportunities for replicability, to amplify their impact, will be prioritised.

When to apply

Applications for grants will be accepted in three periods in 2024.

Application deadlines are:

  • 9am, Monday, 12th February 2024
  • 9am, Monday, 22nd April 2024
  • 9am, Monday, 14th October 2024

How to apply

All applicants need to complete and submit our expression of interest form. If your application is approved, you will be invited to complete and submit a more detailed application form. All successful applicants will need to sign a Grant Agreement specifying the terms and conditions of our collaboration. Please download and complete the expression of interest form below or contact sally@hief.scot for a paper version.