Rate
50% of eligible costs
It funds work on board: better catch quality and handling, traceability systems, safety and working conditions beyond the legal minimum, and energy efficiency. Small coastal boats have their own scheme.
Quick facts
- Rate
- 50% of eligible costs
- Cap
- €125,000 per vessel this call
- Lifetime cap
- €250,000 per vessel
- Who
- Owners of non-SSCF registered vessels
- Closes
- 5pm, 17 December 2026
- Apply
- BIM Grants Portal
Who can get it — the full rules
"This scheme is designed for owners of non-Small Scale Coastal Fishers (SSCF) vessels, allowing onboard investments, with the following objectives:" The boat must be on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats when you apply.
You must also show you have been fishing for the last two years. For a boat under 10 metres, BIM checks "sales notes to the value of at least €1,000" registered with the SFPA in each of those years.
For a boat of 10 metres or more, BIM checks "log books registered with the SFPA show at least 60 days at sea across the two preceding years." If the SFPA data does not show this on the first check, the application is rejected.
How much it pays
The grant rate for vessel owners is 50% for all types of eligible spending. "The grant aid cap per vessel under the current call is €125,000." Over the whole life of the scheme the cap is €250,000 per vessel.
What it pays for
Safety work counts only if it goes further than the law requires: "Investments on board that exceed legislative requirements to improve hygiene, health, safety and working conditions provided."
Energy work is also covered: "Investments in equipment aimed at reducing the emission of pollutants or greenhouse gases and increasing the energy efficiency of fishing vessels." Traceability equipment and software, catch handling and onboard processing are also listed.
How to apply
Check your SFPA records first
It is your job to make sure the right data is registered with the SFPA when you apply.
Get quotes with installation shown separately
Installation costs must be listed on their own on quotes and invoices.
Read the Guidelines for Applicants
BIM's guidelines explain the application process.
Apply on the BIM Grants Portal
The form works on any device, but BIM advises a desktop or laptop.
Do not start work before the site visit
If work starts before the site visit, the application is ineligible and closed.
Wait for the Assessment outcome email
Costs or invoices dated before that email are not eligible, and after it you spend at your own risk.
Things to watch
The Assessment outcome email is not an approval. After it "you may commence work and incur expenditure at your own risk." An offer may still be lower than you asked for, or not made at all.
BIM runs online information sessions at 3pm on Wednesday 11 November and Wednesday 2 December.
Phone, forms and how long it takes
- Apply online (BIM Grants Portal), by 5pm 17 December 2026
- BIM Grants Portal
From the official pages (bim.ie), re-checked every night. Numbers and times can change, so check the official page before you send anything.
Common questions
What is the BIM Sustainable Fisheries Scheme?
A BIM grant of 50% towards onboard investment on registered fishing vessels outside the small-scale coastal fleet, capped at €125,000 per vessel in this call.
When does the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme close?
The current call opened on 15 October 2026 and closes at 5pm on 17 December 2026.
I have a small inshore boat. Is this for me?
Not if your vessel is in the Small-Scale Coastal Fishers fleet. That fleet has its own BIM scheme.
Can I start the work once I apply?
No. Work started before the site visit makes the application ineligible, and costs before the Assessment outcome email are not paid.