Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ) – the national partnership uniting Scotland’s universities to mobilise research expertise for a just and sustainable transition – has launched its 2026 Seed Fund, offering awards of £5k or £15k to support new collaborative research.
The annual fund is designed to spark innovative, high‑impact projects co‑created with external partners across business, industry, government, and communities. It aims to accelerate research that supports Scotland’s net zero ambitions while strengthening cross‑university collaboration.
What the 2026 seed fund supports
Projects should align with SBNZ’s core themes:
- Food
- Finance
- Built environment
- Natural systems
- Energy
- Transport
To be eligible, proposals must:
- Involve collaboration between at least two SBNZ member universities participating in the fund.
- Include clear plans for co‑creation or partnership with at least one external organisation (e.g. community groups, third sector organisations, local/national government, or industry).
- Demonstrate potential to advance, inform, or support climate policy, deepen external partnerships, pilot new technologies or methods, or explore place‑based challenges through participatory approaches.
Funding of £5k or £15k is available, with awards split evenly across university partners.
Edinburgh Napier success in the 2025 seed fund
Three Edinburgh Napier connected projects were supported through the 2025 Scotland Beyond Net Zero Seed Fund. These projects highlight the university’s strengths in sustainable innovation, the built environment, and cross‑sector collaboration.
MycoPack: Mycelium composites from distillery by‑products for sustainable packaging Partners: University of Dundee, Edinburgh Napier University, Arbikie Distillery Napier lead: Dr Dongyang Sun Focus: Transforming whisky industry waste into compostable, mycelium‑based packaging materials.- HI SCOT: Heritage meets innovation, smart PV for cities overcoming tomorrow’s climate Partners: Edinburgh Napier University, Robert Gordon University Napier leads: Dr Nazmi Sellami, Dr Firdaus Muhammad Sukki Focus: Developing smart photovoltaic solutions to support climate resilient urban energy systems.
- Beyond Net Zero Built: scalable approaches to impact through digital twinning and user engagement Partners: Edinburgh Napier University, University of Edinburgh, Trimble Inc. Napier lead: Dr Kenneth Leitch Focus: Using digital twins and participatory engagement to accelerate net zero innovation in the built environment.
Why Edinburgh Napier researchers should apply
The SBNZ Seed Fund is an excellent opportunity to:
- Build or strengthen cross‑university collaborations
- Develop new partnerships with industry, government, or communities
- Pilot early‑stage ideas that could lead to larger external funding bids
- Contribute to Scotland’s national climate and sustainability priorities
- Showcase Edinburgh Napier’s strengths in applied, impactful research
If you’re working in any area connected to net zero, sustainability, or just transition challenges, this fund is a strong fit.
Online networking information sessions
If you are interested in applying for the seed fund and would like to connect with potential academic partners, please sign up to some forthcoming networking events:
➡️ March 16th, 2pm
➡️ March 26th, 2pm
➡️ March 31st, 2pm
Find out more
Deadline for applications: 5pm, Monday 27 April 2026
Visit the SBNZ funding page to download the full guidance and application form: https://scotland-beyond-net-zero.ac.uk/funding-opportunities/
For questions about the fund, contact: Dr Kate Symons, Senior Research Partnership Manager: k.symons@ed.ac.uk