Grants

The Scottish Rivers Fund supports river restoration projects that tackle key pressures negatively affecting water quality and quantity, physical river conditions, and the many species that depend on free-flowing rivers of cold, clean water. We are open to supporting a wide range of project interventions, including for instance in stream and bankside works, as well as activities designed to benefit the wider catchment.

All funded projects should:

• Respond to identified pressures negatively affecting the river and wider catchment.
• Be evidence informed – they should demonstrate tangible benefits to the river, and measurable contributions to the key ecological and social outcomes of the Scottish Rivers Fund, which will be verified through project monitoring.
• Prioritise collaboration and community engagement, from application through to delivery.
• Demonstrate clear additionality – going beyond existing and already committed interventions.

There is no fixed minimum or maximum project size, though we encourage applications to work at a manageable scale. Specific requirements will be set out for each funding round.

All applicants should be based in the UK and all projects must be delivered in Scotland. The following types of organisations are eligible to apply:

• Registered charities and trusts.
• Private companies – where there is clear evidence that funds will be used to support benefits for river systems.
• District Salmon Fishery Boards (DSFBs)
• Partnerships and organisations working collaboratively with others.

If you are unsure whether your organisation is eligible, please get in touch and we will be happy to advise.

Contact us

Grant sizes will vary by funding round and indicative funding ranges will be clearly communicated when each round is launched. If you have a specific query about the scale of funding available ahead of a round opening, please feel free to contact us.

Contact us

Costs that can be funded generally include:
• Full cost recovery where there are staff, organisational, and overhead costs associated with the delivery of the project.
• Professional fees that are appropriate and proportionate to the project.
• Travel and subsistence costs needed to support the delivery of project activities.
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
• Irrecoverable VAT.

Costs that we will not fund include:
• Statutory functions.
• Activities where generating profit is deemed to be the principal project aim.
• Political activity or campaigns.
• Activities already started.

Open funding rounds will be advertised on this page, along with full requirements, guidance notes, and application templates.

All applications must be submitted through NatureScot’s online application portal, accessible via this website. Please note that we are unable to accept applications submitted by email. The portal is straightforward to use, and step-by-step guidance will be provided alongside each funding round.

Applications follow a two-stage process:

1. Expression of Interest – a shorter initial submission for us to assess whether your project is a good fit for the Scottish Rivers Fund.
2. Full Application – if invited to proceed, you will receive tailored feedback on your Expression of Interest to help you prepare the strongest possible Full Application.

Yes, funding is also available for project development costs (e.g. initial scoping, baseline surveys, activation activities) to help projects get off the ground. Details of project development support and any associated conditions will be clearly set out for each funding round.

Yes. We want to make the application process as straightforward as possible for every organisation, regardless of size or experience. If you have questions about your project or need help with your application, please get in touch with the Scottish Rivers Fund team.

Further opportunities to support prospective applicants (e.g., webinars or drop-in sessions) will be advertised on this page and through our mailing list.

Contact us