Updated: Business case added
You should read the
EMFF general guidance
(PDF, 104KB, 35 pages)
note and the specific guidance note relating to the type of project you want to apply for before completing and submitting your application online.
You should apply online using the EMFF E-System > > >
The
EMFF e-system applicant user guide
(PDF, 1.23MB, 62 pages)
will assist you in you application.
EMFF assessment panel for applications over £100,000
The MMO will be holding panels to consider EMFF applications for projects costing £100,000 and over. The panels will meet on the following dates. Any project applications costing £100,000 and over received after the dates shown below will not be considered at that panel. Applications of less than £100,000 will continue to be assessed on a regular basis and are not affected by these deadlines. Further panels to consider large projects with deadlines for submitting applications will be announced in due course.
Dates and deadlines for 2016 panels are:
Panel 1 - Applications need to be submitted for consideration by 29 March 2016. Panel will be held week commencing 6 June 2016.
Panel 2 - Applications need to be submitted for consideration by 24 June 2016. Panel will be held week commencing 22 August 2016.
Panel 3 - Applications need to be submitted for consideration by 9 September 2016. Panel will be held week commencing 7 November 2016.
Eligibility
There are different eligibility requirements depending on who you are and what project you are applying for. In general, to qualify for EMFF funds your project needs to support the overall aims of the EMFF which are to:
make the fisheries and aquaculture sectors more sustainable
conservation of the marine environment
support growth and jobs in coastal communities
Projects that don’t support the aims won’t be eligible for support. These themes are broad so if you are unsure contact the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/european-maritime-and-fisheries-fund-emff-apply-for-funding#contact-us) for details. For more details about eligibility, see the guidance notes for the application type that is relevant to your project.
If your project has already been supported with funds from another source (such as another public body), you may not be eligible for full EMFF funding support.
Proceed at your own Risk
You cannot start your project before you receive confirmation that we have received your application. You can start your project after you receive this confirmation, but this is at your own risk. If your application is not approved, any costs you pay will not be eligible to be claimed.
Certain applicants are not eligible to apply for funding under the EMFF scheme.
If you have committed and been convicted of a ‘serious infringement’ in the 12 months before you apply, you won’t be eligible for EMFF funds. A serious infringement of rules includes things like:
you don’t hold a valid licence
you haven’t used compliant fishing gear
you have broken conservation rules
you have obstructed an inspection or observation
If you have committed and been convicted of Fraud in the context of the EFF or EMFF schemes you will not be eligible for EMFF funding support. Fraud includes things that have enabled you to wrongfully receive funds from the EFF or EMFF schemes, examples of this are:
you have used or presented false, incorrect or incomplete statements or documents
you have not disclosed information where you are in breach of a specific obligation
you have used EFF/EMFF funds for purposes other than those for which they were originally granted
you have misused the benefits of your project
If you have committed and been convicted of either fraud or a serious infringement please read the
Guidance on serious infringements and fraud
(PDF, 269KB, 14 pages)
guide.
Expression of interest
You can complete an
Expression of Interest form
(MS Word Document, 141KB)
with help from the
Expression of Interest form guidance note
(PDF, 129KB, 9 pages)
and send it to the MMO if you want us to check if your initial project idea is feasible.
The MMO will then assess your project and tell you if you can apply and how you should do so. If the MMO invites you to complete a full application, this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a grant.
You don’t have to do this, if you prefer you can make a full application for funding without initial advice.
How to apply
You should apply online using the EMFF E-System > > >
The
EMFF e-system applicant user guide
(PDF, 1.23MB, 62 pages)
will assist you in you application.
The main focus of the EMFF scheme in England will be projects which support the adaptation to the requirements of the reformed CFP and deliver economic growth. Examples of possible EMFF projects which will be available for funding in Phase 1 are:
new or innovative fishing gear onboard fishing vessels which helps to reduce unwanted catches
purchase of onshore refrigeration units in a port or harbor to assist improving catch quality or management of discards
installation of handrails and ladders to improve the safety of fishermen on board fishing vessels.
modernisation or development of aquaculture units
improved seafood processing in an existing facility
There are 6 different types of application depending on the project you are applying for.
Each application type has different guidance notes associated with it. Make sure you read the relevant guidance notes carefully before you start your application. There is also a general guidance note for the scheme.
1. Support for fishing vessel energy improvements
(PDF, 97.1KB, 19 pages)
2. Support for Investments on Board Fishing Vessels
(PDF, 121KB, 30 pages)
3. Support for Improvements to Shore-Based Facilities
(PDF, 131KB, 28 pages)
4. Support for partnerships, information sharing, advisory services, job creation and training applications
(PDF, 107KB, 23 pages)
5. The Marine environment and Inland Fishing
(PDF, 145KB, 31 pages)
6. Support for Aquaculture, Processing and Marketing
(PDF, 143KB, 35 pages)
You will be able to apply for EMFF funds by filling in an application form using the EMFF e-system. You can find copies of the guidance notes on this page. We have published these to help you decide whether you want to apply for EMFF funding. You should be aware that the guidance notes and any associated documents may be subject to change before the scheme opens, or at any time. If you cannot use the EMFF e-system, other formats of the application form will be available on request.
To use the EMFF e-system, you will need to register either as yourself or your organisation. There are many benefits to using the e-system to apply for the EMFF. These include:
reducing duplication as the system will save your details when you register, so you will not have to enter these every time you apply
the e-system will check that you have given all the required information to complete your application
keeping you better informed as you can check the progress of your application or claim on the e-system and keep track of all the applications you have submitted
all of the documents related to your application can be uploaded to the e-system, so they can be accessed easily
you will receive reminders by email prompting you to take actions such as submitting your claim
The application form will ask you to fill in information about the following:
yourself, your business and your vessel, if relevant
your project
how much your project will cost
the impact your project will have
how you plan to fund your project
You will need to submit quotations and/or tenders for the work you are applying for support for. Depending on your application and project type, you may also need to submit additional evidence such as a:
certificate of registry for your vessel
EMFF business case template
(MS Word Document, 101KB)
with more details on your project if this is needed
Applications and guidance
All applicants applying to the EMFF scheme must read the
EMFF general guidance
(PDF, 104KB, 35 pages)
as well as the project specific guidance before applying.
Support for fishing vessel energy improvements
If you are applying for new energy efficient fishing gear, energy efficiency audits and schemes, or studies of alternative propulsion systems and hull designs you need to use the guidance specific to this area.
1. Support for fishing vessel energy improvements
(PDF, 97.1KB, 19 pages)
Support for investments on board fishing vessels
If you are applying for EMFF funding for investments on board vessels, you need to use the application type specific to this area in the EMFF e-system. You should read the guidance notes before completing your application.
2. Support for Investments on Board Fishing Vessels
(PDF, 121KB, 30 pages)
Support for improvements to shore-based facilities
If you are applying for EMFF funding for improvements to shore-based facilities, you need to use the application type specific to this area in the EMFF e-system. You should read the guidance notes before completing your application.
3. Support for Improvements to Shore-Based Facilities
(PDF, 131KB, 28 pages)
Support for partnerships and information sharing
If you are applying for EMFF funding for projects related to partnerships and information sharing, you need to use the application type specific to this area in the EMFF e-system. Partnerships and information sharing includes advisory services, training, innovation, diversification and increasing environmental awareness. You should read the guidance notes before completing your application.
4. Support for partnerships, information sharing, advisory services, job creation and training applications
(PDF, 107KB, 23 pages)
The marine environment and inland fishing
If you are applying for EMFF funding for seafood processing and fisheries management, you need to use the application type specific to this area in the EMFF e-system. You should read the guidance notes before completing your application.
5. The Marine environment and Inland Fishing
(PDF, 145KB, 31 pages)
Support for aquaculture, processing and marketing
If you are applying for EMFF funding for projects related to aquaculture, animal health and inland fishing, you need to use the application type specific to this area in the EMFF e-system. You should read the guidance notes before completing your application.
6. Support for Aquaculture, Processing and Marketing
(PDF, 143KB, 35 pages)
When you submit your application
Once you submit your EMFF funding application to the MMO, we will send you confirmation that your application has been received. You cannot start your project before you receive confirmation that we have received your application. You can start your project after you receive this confirmation, but this is at your own risk. If your application is not approved, any costs you pay will not be eligible to be claimed. If you prefer to wait until your application has been assessed before starting work you can choose to do this.
We will then start to assess whether your project can receive funding.
You can view or download a flowchart to see the whole process.
Applying for a grant process map
(PDF, 59KB, 2 pages)
We aim to consider your application in 40 working days. After this we will tell you whether we have approved it or not. Applications over £100,000 total cost are considered at regular Panel meetings and decisions of funding may take longer to be reached. Dates and deadlines for 2016 panels are:
Panel 1 - Applications need to be submitted for consideration by 29 March 2016. Panel will be held week commencing 6 June 2016.
Panel 2 - Applications need to be submitted for consideration by 24 June 2016. Panel will be held week commencing 22 August 2016.
Panel 3 - Applications need to be submitted for consideration by 9 September 2016. Panel will be held week commencing 7 November 2016.
Who will process your application
The European Grants Team within the MMO processes applications for EMFF funding.
European grants team structure
(PDF, 35.5KB, 1 page)
European Grants Team
Marine Management Organisation
West Wing
Lancaster House
Hampshire Court
Newcastle Business Park
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE4 7YH
Telephone: 0208 026 5539
Fax: 0191 376 2681
Email: emff.queries@marinemanagement.org.uk
First checks of your application
We will look at your application to make sure that the:
required sections of the application have been completed and enough information has been provided that we can make a decision
application passes the general eligibility checks
application passes the financial eligibility checks
If your application doesn’t have all the required information we will contact you in order to get more information from you. The sooner you can get back to us the better so we can continue assessing your application.
Assessing your application
We will then decide whether to give you funding under the EMFF scheme, using specific selection criteria. This will either be done by the MMO or by a selection panel depending on the cost of your project.
In England, if the value of your project is less than £100,000, the European Grants team will assess your application. If the value is higher than £100,000, a selection panel will assess your application. The selection panel meets 3 three times a year:
The timetable of selection panel meeting dates and deadlines to submit applications for panel consideration will be published here shortly.
Your application for funding will be assessed against a set of objectives which have been agreed with the EMFF Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) which is made up of representatives from the fisheries, aquaculture and NGO sectors amongst others.
This assessment will establish how your application for funding support the overall aims of the UK EMFF programme. Further details on the specific areas your application will be assessed against can be found within the
EMFF UK selection critieria
(PDF, 80.2KB, 16 pages)
.
Once your application has been assessed we will contact you to tell you our decision. Once your application has been approved, you will receive an offer letter. This letter will tell you:
the amount of money you have been awarded and where the money is coming from
the schedule of works agreed and the supplier responsible
how the project is funded (who is providing funds and how much)
a breakdown of the costs approved (for example, equipment purchase and salaries)
any targets your project will need to achieve in order to receive the money
the date your project will need to be completed by
the date your claim(s) will need to be submitted by (taken from your application)
any other terms and conditions associated with the offer
what you need to do next
You will need to accept this offer of EMFF funds before you can make a claim. We will also include a form for you to provide us with your bank details to enable you to receive payment for your claim.
Publicity
The European Commission and the MMO will publish brief details of all successful projects, including your name or your organisation’s name as applicable, a description of the project and broad details of any grants awarded; this is called the Transparency Initiative.
In addition projects must acknowledge they have received European funding to the public. Projects must display;
(a) The Union emblem in accordance with the technical characteristics are available on the EC website
(b) A reference to the Fund or Funds supporting the operation. This is most likely to be the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) however it’s possible you have received funding from other European Funds in which case a reference the ‘ESI Funds’ meets requirements
c) Providing on the beneficiary’s website, where such a website exists, a short description of the operation, proportionate to the level of support, including its aims and results, and highlighting the financial support from the Union;
(d) Placing, for operations not falling under point c above, at least one poster with information about the project (minimum size A3), including the financial support from the Union, at a location readily visible to the public, such as the entrance area of a building.
and;
No later than three months after completion of the project, you must put up a permanent plaque or billboard of significant size at a location readily visible to the public for each project that fulfils the following criteria:
The total public funding for the project exceeds EUR 500 000 (based on the exchange rate at the time of application);
The project consists of the purchase of a physical object or of the financing of infrastructure or of construction operations.
The plaque or billboard shall state the name of the project as well as the EU logo, MMO logo and the phrase ‘Investing in sustainable fisheries’.
If you are required to put up a plaque or billboard as above and you do not you will be deemed to have not fulfilled the terms and conditions of the grant awarded to you and funding may be recovered.
Durability of Operations
To ensure the effectiveness, fairness and sustainable impact of the intervention of the EMFF scheme, provisions guaranteeing that investments in businesses and infrastructures are long-lasting and prevent European Funding from being used to undue advantage should be in place.
Therefore items purchased using public funding from the EMFF Scheme must be owned and used for their original purpose for a minimum of five years, except where State aid rules provide for a different period or the items are leased, see the Leasing of items or equipment section for more advice.
In the case of a project comprising investment in infrastructure or productive investment, and where the applicant is not a Micro, small or medium enterprise (SME), an applicant will be required to repay the funding contribution from the EMFF if, within 10 years of the final payment to the project, the project or its activity is subject to relocation outside of the European Union.
Some or all of the funding for projects that do not meet the Durability of Operations above will be recovered.
If your application is declined
If the MMO declines your application, you will be sent a letter that explains why. You can appeal this decision through the MMO if you think that:
it was based on a factual error
it was legally wrong
the MMO made an error in processing your application
You have 28 days after the date of the decline letter to ask the MMO to review their decision. An Independent appeal officer will consider your application in full against the selection criteria. The appeal will either pass which means the original decision is overturned or fail and the original decision is upheld.
We will notify you of the outcome of your appeal within 6 weeks of receiving it.
If your appeal is successful and the original decision is overturned you will be issued with either an offer of funds letter or a partial offer letter.
If your appeal is unsuccessful the appeal decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered into. However you can reapply and your new application will be considered without prejudice.
What happens after you receive your EMFF funds
Once you have started working on your project, you will need to send us reports to show what progress you are making. You can see how often you need to send us these reports in your offer letter. We may also contact you additionally to receive further information about your project.
Public consultation on funding
The European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG Mare) has launched a public consultation as part of the 2007-2013 European Social Fund (ESF) 2013 ex-post evaluation tο get feedback on the effectiveness and efficiency of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) Operational Programs and their impact.
The consultation will also look into the public opinion concerning the future of European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) after 2020. These results shall contribute to the impact assessment of the programing period after 2020.
All citizens and organizations are welcome to contribute to this consultation, especially the stakeholders who have been involved directly in EFF programs during the 2007-2013 period: Member states, managing authorities, implementing bodies at all levels, social and other partners represented in the monitoring committee, fishermen, producer organizations, NGOs, research institutes, public administrations etc.
Contributions are to be submitted by replying to the online questionnaire on the EU Survey website.
Contact us
European Grants Team
Marine Management Organisation
West Wing
Lancaster House
Hampshire Court
Newcastle Business Park
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE4 7YH
Telephone: 0208 026 5539
Fax: 0191 376 2681
Email: emff.queries@marinemanagement.org.uk