Small-Scale Coastal Fishers Scheme
A grant towards the cost of eligible investments. BIM has not confirmed the support rate or the cap per vessel for the call opening on 14 October 2026. The figures on its page are from the last call, so check before you plan.
Last checked October 2026
What it is
BIM grant aid for owners of small-scale coastal fishing boats, meaning vessels under 12 metres overall that do not fish with towed gear, so inshore fishermen and women with small boats. It covers on-board and onshore investments in more selective fishing gear, energy efficiency, traceability equipment and the quality or added value of the catch, plus hygiene, health and safety above the legal minimum. BIM's funding pages show the next call opening on 14 October 2026 and closing on 17 December 2026. BIM has not confirmed the support rate or the cap per vessel for this call: the figures on its page are from the last call. BIM's page says the vessel must be on the Irish Fleet Register and have been actively fishing in the two calendar years before the application.
Who can get it
- You own a small-scale coastal fishing vessel: under 12 metres overall length and not fishing with towed gear
- The vessel is on the Irish Fleet Register when you apply
- It was actively fishing in the two calendar years before the application. In the last call that meant, for a boat under 10 metres, sales notes of at least €1,000 registered with the SFPA in each of those years. For 10 metres or more it meant logbooks showing at least 60 days at sea across the two years. Check the rules for this call
- BIM's scheme page and fisheries funding page show the call opening on 14 October 2026 and closing on 17 December 2026. The rest of the scheme page and the Guidelines for Applicants still describe the last call, which ran from November to December 2025, so check for updated guidelines before you apply.
- Do not spend anything or start any work too early. BIM says some applications get a site visit before any offer and that no expenditure can be incurred and no work can start until you receive an email after that visit. It strongly advises waiting for a grant offer.
- Only one application is allowed for each vessel in a call.
- Make sure the right data is registered with the SFPA when you apply. If the SFPA data cannot confirm your fishing activity on the first check, the application is rejected.
- It is a competitive call. BIM's last guidelines say eligible applications are scored and ranked, so meeting the conditions does not guarantee an offer. The budget for this call has not been published.
Where to start
Read the scheme page and the list of eligible and ineligible items on bim.ie, check your SFPA records, then apply online through the BIM Grants Portal once the call opens on 14 October 2026. BIM's page gives the closing date as 17 December 2026.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 13 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Related guides
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- Beef Welfare Scheme
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- TAMS 3 Organic Capital Investment Scheme
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