The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has issued an open call for expressions of interest in feed and diagnostic projects.

Both feeds and rapid diagnostics are among SAIC’s Priority Innovation Areas, having been identified by industry and academia as key challenges and opportunities for Scottish aquaculture.

Funding under the new project calls is available for applications of varying sizes and scope, from small quick-insight projects to larger multi-business collaborations. To be eligible, expressions of interest must be led by an industry partner.

The open calls were issued following two well-attended SAIC workshops in January, at which industry specialists and researchers discussed their research needs and agendas.

“Feed companies are seeking safe, secure, sustainable and affordable supplies of feed ingredients from multiple sources, from animals to crops, and from microbial proteins to seaweeds and invertebrates. There are many interesting avenues for applied research in this area,” said Professor Brett Glencross, newly appointed Professor of Nutrition at the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling.

According to Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, in a recent survey to identify Scottish aquaculture’s major challenges, 25 per cent of respondents mentioned the sustainable supply of feed ingredients.

Submissions for SAIC funding for sustainable feed projects should focus on one of the following areas:

• health effects of feeding, including gut microbiome, changes in diet and susceptibility to disease
• sources of EPA/DHA
• alternative protein sources, locally sourced, low environmental impact.

The deadline for expressions of interest on sustainable feeds is 21 March 2016.

Details of how to submit an expression of interest available here.