RESEARCH & INNOVATION FUND
Closed to further applications.
The Research & Innovation Fund offered grants of £5000 – £50,000 for research, innovation and other capacity-building activities, with the aim of:
- Supporting the sustainable development of the global seaweed industry
- Addressing current and emerging challenges faced by the industry and enabling an agile response
- Fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange across academic and industry stakeholders
Applications were accepted from professionals involved in the seaweed industry in the UK or DAC-listed countries. The Fund was designed to be flexible and responsive to industry needs, allowing applicants to establish collaborations and bring in relevant private and third sector partners including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other not-for-profit organisations.
Research & Innovation Fund grants were awarded to 15 projects (max. 12 months duration). More information on each of our grant holders can be found below.
Grant ID: GSS/RF/002
“Exploring genetic diversity of Kappaphycus and Eucheuma in Malaysia for crop improvement”
Project Lead: University of Malaya (Malaysia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/003
“A microbiome approach to understanding and mitigating disease outbreaks in tropical seaweed farming”
Project Lead: Scottish Association for Marine Science (UK)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/015
“Diversity of wild and farmed eucheumatoids in the Philippines at the intra- and inter-specific scale..”
Project Lead: University of the Philippines (Philippines)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/019
“algaBLISTER: a collaborative network for training and capacity building in algal diseases in Latin America”
Project Lead: Scottish Association for Marine Science (UK)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/023
“Assessment and conservation of the genetic resources of Gracilaria in Thailand”
Project Lead: Kasetsart University (Thailand)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/025
“Development of hybrid strains of seaweed by protoplast fusion”
Project Lead: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Malaysia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/029
“Identifying superior cultivars to boost the production and livelihood of Madagascar seaweed farmers”
Project Lead: Ocean Farmers (Madagascar)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/037
“Creating probiotics for seaweed: isolation and characterisation of endophytic bacteria possessing biocontrol potential and plant growth promoting activity from Kappaphycus spp.”
Project Lead: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Malaysia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/038
“Phylogeography and population genetics of epiphytic filamentous red algae on eucheumatoids”
Project Lead: University of Malaya (Malaysia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/039
“Building resilience of seaweed farmers in Zanzibar”
Project Lead: Milele Zanzibar Foundation (Zanzibar)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/043
“Spatial planning for seaweed farming in the maritime zone of Bangladesh”
Project Lead: Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Bangladesh)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/047
“Selection and distribution of new strains of Kappaphycus alvarezii developed from spores of local wild populations to restore seaweed farming productivity in the Philippines”
Project Lead: University of the Philippines (Philippines)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/053
“BIOPHYCOL – Building scientific and technical capacities in phycology in Colombia”
Project Lead: Universidad Libre (Colombia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/055
“Seaweed for Life: using seaweed to respond to Madagascar food security & stability emergency”
Project Lead: Mara Seaweed (UK)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/001
“Towards sustainable management and cultivation of Macrocystis pyrifera in Peru”
Project Lead: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/002
“Exploring genetic diversity of Kappaphycus and Eucheuma in Malaysia for crop improvement”
Project Lead: University of Malaya (Malaysia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/003
“A microbiome approach to understanding and mitigating disease outbreaks in tropical seaweed farming”
Project Lead: Scottish Association for Marine Science (UK)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/015
“Diversity of wild and farmed eucheumatoids in the Philippines at the intra- and inter-specific scale..”
Project Lead: University of the Philippines (Philippines)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/019
“algaBLISTER: a collaborative network for training and capacity building in algal diseases in Latin America”
Project Lead: Scottish Association for Marine Science (UK)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/023
“Assessment and conservation of the genetic resources of Gracilaria in Thailand”
Project Lead: Kasetsart University (Thailand)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/025
“Development of hybrid strains of seaweed by protoplast fusion”
Project Lead: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Malaysia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/029
“Identifying superior cultivars to boost the production and livelihood of Madagascar seaweed farmers”
Project Lead: Ocean Farmers (Madagascar)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/037
“Creating probiotics for seaweed: isolation and characterisation of endophytic bacteria possessing biocontrol potential and plant growth promoting activity from Kappaphycus spp.”
Project Lead: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Malaysia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/038
“Phylogeography and population genetics of epiphytic filamentous red algae on eucheumatoids”
Project Lead: University of Malaya (Malaysia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/039
“Building resilience of seaweed farmers in Zanzibar”
Project Lead: Milele Zanzibar Foundation (Zanzibar)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/043
“Spatial planning for seaweed farming in the maritime zone of Bangladesh”
Project Lead: Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Bangladesh)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/047
“Selection and distribution of new strains of Kappaphycus alvarezii developed from spores of local wild populations to restore seaweed farming productivity in the Philippines”
Project Lead: University of the Philippines (Philippines)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/053
“BIOPHYCOL – Building scientific and technical capacities in phycology in Colombia”
Project Lead: Universidad Libre (Colombia)
Grant ID: GSS/RF/055
“Seaweed for Life: using seaweed to respond to Madagascar food security & stability emergency”
Project Lead: Mara Seaweed (UK)
TRAVEL FUND
Closed to further applications.
From 2018 – 2020, the GlobalSeaweedSTAR Travel Fund offered grants to support the participation of academic and industry stakeholders from the UK and DAC-listed countries in:
- National and international seaweed-related scientific conferences
- GlobalSeaweedSTAR Sharing Best Practice events
- Any other capacity-building activities that would strengthen the seaweed industry in DAC-list countries, with particular reference to priority areas identified in the UNU-INWEH/SAMS Policy Brief
- Training events and staff exchange
- Seaweed-related research visits
Grants were awarded up to a maximum value of £2000 and could be used towards eligible expenses such as travel, subsistence and registration fees. More information about our grant holders and the activities they participated in are provided in the table below.
| Grant ID | Affiliation of Grant Holder | Activity Funded | Link to Details: |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSS/TF/003 | University of Malaya, Malaysia | 23rd International Seaweed Symposium (ISS2019), Korea | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/004 | Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Limited, Sri Lanka | 23rd International Seaweed Symposium (ISS2019), Korea | |
| GSS/TF/006 | Kasetsart University, Thailand | Research visit to Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand | |
| GSS/TF/008 | Sunway University, Malaysia | 23rd International Seaweed Symposium (ISS2019), Korea | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/018 | Ocean Farmers, Madagascar | 23rd International Seaweed Symposium (ISS2019), Korea | |
| GSS/TF/020 | Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom | 23rd International Seaweed Symposium (ISS2019), Korea | |
| GSS/TF/024 | Oceanium Ltd., United Kingdom | 23rd International Seaweed Symposium (ISS2019), Korea | |
| GSS/TF/027 | North-West University, South Africa | Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Annual Meeting (OMGN2019), UK | |
| GSS/TF/029 | Plymouth Marine Laboratory, United Kingdom | 23rd International Seaweed Symposium (ISS2019), Korea | |
| GSS/TF/030 | CINVESTAV, Mexico | 23rd International Seaweed Symposium (ISS2019), Korea | |
| GSS/TF/031 | Plymouth Marine Laboratory, United Kingdom | Research visit to Ocean University of China, China | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/032 | University of the Philippines Visayas, Philippines | International Conference on Emerging Issues in Public Policy (IPP2019), Malaysia | |
| GSS/TF/033 | University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | International Conference on Emerging Issues in Public Policy (IPP2019), Malaysia | |
| GSS/TF/037A | Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK | Side-event of 10th FAO COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, Norway | |
| GSS/TF/037B | Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK | Side-event of 10th FAO COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, Norway | |
| GSS/TF/037C | University of the Philippines Visayas, Philippines | Side-event of 10th FAO COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, Norway | |
| GSS/TF/037D | University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | Side-event of 10th FAO COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, Norway | |
| GSS/TF/037E | University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica | Side-event of 10th FAO COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, Norway | |
| GSS/TF/059 | University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | Daniel Jouvance-SU International School in Marine Biology, Namibia | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/061 | Toliara University, Madagascar | Daniel Jouvance-SU International School in Marine Biology, Namibia | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/063 | Rhodes University, South Africa | Daniel Jouvance-SU International School in Marine Biology, Namibia | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/064 | University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | Daniel Jouvance-SU International School in Marine Biology, Namibia | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/065 | University of Cape Town, South Africa | Daniel Jouvance-SU International School in Marine Biology, Namibia | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/066 | University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | Daniel Jouvance-SU International School in Marine Biology, Namibia | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/067 | Rhodes University, South Africa | Daniel Jouvance-SU International School in Marine Biology, Namibia | Report PDF |
| GSS/TF/071 | University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | Daniel Jouvance-SU International School in Marine Biology, Namibia | Report PDF |
CAPACITY BUILDING FUND
Closed to further applications.
The GlobalSeaweedSTAR Capacity Building Fund launched in 2021 to support participation in activities that strengthen the skills and knowledge of researchers and professionals involved in the seaweed industry in the UK and DAC-listed countries. Recognising that in-person participation may not be safe or feasible during the pandemic, virtual activities were also eligible for funding. Grants were offered in three categories: online event (up to £1000), online course (up to £1000) and travel (up to £2000).
Eligible capacity-building activities could be:
-
Specific to the industry (e.g., a seaweed-related workshop or conference); or
-
General (e.g., training related to data analysis, management practices or grant writing), if it could be demonstrated how this would benefit the applicant’s career development in the seaweed industry and/or research.
A total of 22 grants were awarded to recipients in 11 countries. Learn more about our grant holders and the activities they participated in below:
| Grant ID | Affiliation of Grant Holder | Category | Activity Funded | Link to Details: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSS/CBF/001 | Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Kenya | Online Event | 12th International Phycological Congress (IPC2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/002 | Swansea University, United Kingdom | Online Event | 12th International Phycological Congress (IPC2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/003 | University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines | Online Event | 12th International Phycological Congress (IPC2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/008 | Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, UK | Online Course | PRIMER 7 Online Workshop | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/009 | Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/011 | University of Brasilia, Brazil | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/012 | Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | |
| GSS/CBF/013 | University of Malaya, Malaysia | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | |
| GSS/CBF/014 | University of Malaya, Malaysia | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/015 | Xiamen University, China | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | Report pdf |
| GSS/CBF/016 | Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | PDF Report |
| GSS/CBF/017 | Borneo Marine Research Institute (UMS), Malaysia | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/018 | University of the Philippines, Phillippines | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/019 | Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/021 | Mwazo Institute, Kenya | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | PDF Report |
| GSS/CBF/022 | National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies, Tunisia | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/023 | N/A, India | Online Event | 7th Conference of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/024 | Newcastle University, United Kingdom | Online Event | 12th International Phycological Congress (IPC2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/025 | Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia | Online Event | 12th International Phycological Congress (IPC2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/026 | Seadling Pte Ltd, Malaysia | Online Event | 12th International Phycological Congress (IPC2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/027 | Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia | Online Event | 12th International Phycological Congress (IPC2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/028 | Seadling Pte Ltd, Malaysia | Online Event | 12th International Phycological Congress (IPC2021) | Report PDF |
| GSS/CBF/029 | Tunisian Association for Scientific Information (ATIS), Tunisia | Other | Hosting online workshop on applied phycology |