Applicability refers to the likelihood that the project can produce meaningful results as proposed, within the constraints of available resources, the timeline, and the research environment.

As an association, we will evaluate whether the proposed methodology is suitable for addressing the research questions. This assessment will consider the quality of the study design, the validity and relevance of the welfare indicators employed, and whether the proposed analytical methods are capable of producing robust and reliable results.

We do not expect the research team to have extensive experience specifically in the field of fish welfare. We recognize that expertise in fish welfare can come from different areas of expertise such as aquaculture, fish health, behavior, physiology, animal welfare, and other related fields.

Instead, we assess whether the team possesses the necessary knowledge, experience, collaborations, and infrastructure to successfully carry out the proposed study. Experience in conducting applied research, working in commercial production systems, collecting field data, or managing similar research projects are factors that strengthen the project.

Additionally, we encourage collaborations that could enhance the scientific quality, practical value, or broader impact of the research. This includes collaborations with international researchers and institutions specializing in fields related to fish welfare (such as fish health, behavior, physiology, and aquaculture systems).

In addition to the generation of fundamental scientific knowledge, projects that demonstrate the potential for translating research findings into commercial aquaculture settings are highly valued. Therefore, applicants are expected to explain how the anticipated results can be validated, developed, or used to guide welfare practices in real production environments.

Similarly, we place importance on the establishment of strong relationships with industry stakeholders. Letters of support from producers, industry organizations, or other relevant stakeholders can provide evidence of the project's feasibility and its potential for future validation, dissemination, and adoption of the findings.

Finally, the project’s underlying assumptions are expected to be scientifically sound, realistic, and sufficiently justified. In this context, the following aspects are evaluated: the feasibility of the research question and the likelihood of achieving the expected results; the adequacy of the proposed sample size; the research team’s capacity to access the study population and research sites; whether the study can be conducted under the proposed conditions; and the transferability of the findings to different production systems and settings.

The following factors will be considered while evaluating the feasibility and scientific quality of the project:

The technical and scientific competence of the project to achieve its stated objectives;
The soundness and scientific robustness of the proposed research design, methodology, and analytical approach;
The expertise of the research team and the adequacy of the proposed collaborations, infrastructure, and available resources;
The research team's experience in conducting similar studies or working under comparable field conditions;
The extent to which the project provides a realistic approach for validating, testing, or translating the findings beyond laboratory or experimental settings;
The extent to which the project's underlying assumptions, sample size, field access, and expected outcomes are well justified, realistic, and credible.

Research Ethics and Animal Welfare

Research Ethics and Animal Welfare refer to ensuring that a project is designed and conducted in a manner that minimizes harm to animals and meets ethical standards.

As an association, we understand that some welfare research may require fish capture and handling, sampling, behavioural testing, or other procedures that could affect their welfare. However, applicants are expected to have carefully assessed these potential harms, minimized them as much as possible, and justified them based on the value of the information expected to be obtained.

Projects involving invasive procedures, intensive manipulation, or practices that could cause significant stress must clearly explain the following:

Why these methods are necessary to answer the research question;
Why less invasive alternatives are insufficient;
What measures will be taken to minimize pain, stress, discomfort, or other effects on well-being.

It is widely accepted that there is a strong relationship between the consideration of animal welfare and the quality of scientific research. Research methods that unnecessarily negatively impact animal welfare can affect not only ethical concerns but also the reliability of the data obtained, the interpretation of results, and the scientific validity of the findings.

Where necessary, applicants are expected to have documented the necessary ethical approvals, regulatory requirements, and institutional review processes.

EVALUATION CRITERIA LIST

Scope

The number of fish that could benefit, either directly or indirectly, from the research outcomes, and the magnitude and scale of the potential welfare improvements.

The likelihood that the research will lead to meaningful and measurable improvements in fish welfare, as well as the scope, magnitude, and sustainability of those improvements.

Impact Potential

The importance and originality of the research question, the theoretical foundation of the study, the applicability of the methodological approach, and the scientific soundness of the proposed analysis plan

Scientific Quality

Feasibility and Practical Value

The technical and operational feasibility of the project, along with the potential for the research results to be validated, implemented, and disseminated under commercial aquaculture conditions.

Research Team, Collaborations, and Resources

The research team’s level of expertise and experience, interdisciplinary and international collaborations, and the capacity to access the infrastructure, field access, and other resources necessary for project implementation.

Sectoral Relevance and Stakeholder Participation

The relevance of the research to priority fish welfare challenges within the sector, and the extent to which relevant stakeholders (e.g., producers, industry representatives, expert organizations, and other relevant actors) are engaged throughout the research process.

The research’s compliance with relevant ethical principles and legal requirements, as well as the adequacy of the approach to minimize any adverse effects fish may be exposed to during the study.

Research Ethics and Animal Welfare

The project’s contribution to enhancing the knowledge base, technical expertise, and research capacity of researchers, institutions, and industry stakeholders in the field of fish welfare.

Capacity-Building Potential

The alignment of the requested budget with the project’s objectives, planned activities, expected outputs, and anticipated impacts, as well as the level of justification regarding the effective use of resources.

Cost-Effectiveness

Proposal Timeline

Timeline

Key dates from the pre-proposal application stage through the announcement of results and the contracting process.

July 6

Call Opens for Pre-Proposals

August 7

Pre-Proposal Deadline

September

Full Proposal Invitations Issued

October 23

Full Proposal Deadline

First Half of December

Funding Decisions Announced

December

Grant Agreement & Contracting

Note: This calendar is provided for informational purposes only. Future For Fish reserves the right to make changes to the calendar as needed. Updated dates will be shared with applicants.

Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions

This call for proposals does not provide for partial funding or a co-funding model. Applicants are expected to submit proposals in which the requested grant fully covers the total cost of implementing the proposed project.
Only costs that are necessary for, and directly related to, the implementation of the proposed project are eligible for funding. Eligible costs may include personnel, equipment and consumables, travel and fieldwork, and other necessary and well-justified project implementation costs. Institutional overheads, indirect costs, equipment intended for an institution's general infrastructure, and any costs unrelated to the proposed project are not eligible for funding.
After completing your application, you must submit the following documents in a single email to info@futureforfish.org:
- A completed application form (each page must be initialled, and the final page must be signed with a handwritten signature and submitted as a scanned copy).
- A signed Personal Data Protection (KVKK) Consent Form (the consent form included in the application package must be signed and submitted as a scanned copy).
- An up-to-date CV for the Principal Investigator and all team members (CV or YÖKSİS record; maximum two pages per person).
- For student applicants, a letter of support from the academic supervisor.
- Letters of Support (if applicable). Applicants are encouraged to include letters of support from aquaculture companies, producers, laboratories, universities, or other organizations and stakeholders involved in or supporting the proposed research. These letters help demonstrate the project's feasibility and collaborative partnerships and may strengthen the application during the evaluation process.
- Optional supporting documents, such as preliminary results, relevant publications, or any other materials that support the proposed project.
Applicants may use AI tools for brainstorming, language editing, or improving the clarity of their applications. However, the project concept, research questions, methodology, study design, and scientific rationale must be the applicant's own original work.
Applicants should also be aware that the use of generic, superficial, or insufficiently tailored AI-generated content may weaken the quality of the application and may negatively affect its evaluation.
Applications to this grant programme must be submitted through an institution with legal personality. Eligible host institutions include universities, research institutes, civil society organizations, and other institutions with the capacity to conduct research.
The Lead Applicant must hold an official affiliation with the host institution. Graduate students and early-career researchers are also eligible to apply, provided that their applications are submitted through their affiliated institution and supported by their academic supervisor.
Yes. As the Lead Applicant, you may submit more than one pre-application. However, if multiple proposals submitted by the same Lead Applicant are shortlisted, only one may be invited to the Full Application stage.
There is no restriction on participating in other applications as a co-investigator, collaborator, or team member.
Yes. Applications may be submitted by a research team. However, each application must designate a single Lead Applicant.
If the project is selected for funding, the grant agreement will be signed with the Lead Applicant or their host institution, as applicable. The Lead Applicant and the host institution will be responsible for the administration of the grant, compliance with the grant agreement, and coordination of the project team.
Yes. Projects funded under this call are expected to begin no later than three months after the funding decisions are announced.
Projects must have a minimum duration of 6 months and a maximum duration of 12 months. Applicants are expected to prepare their work plan, budget, and project timeline in accordance with these duration requirements.
Sample Impact Estimate:
The proposed research evaluates a practice aimed at reducing stress experienced by sea bass during transport.
The researcher’s assumptions:
● Approximately 150 million sea bass are farmed in Turkey each year.
● 80% of the fish are subjected to the transport process.
● It is assumed that the practice developed as a result of the research could be adopted by 25% of the sector.
Estimated impact:
● 150 million × 80% × 25% = 30 million fish/year
The researcher must also explain:
● The expected change in stress indicators,
● The likelihood of the practice becoming widespread,
● The key uncertainties in the estimate.
Another example:
Welfare Indicator Study
● The study aims to develop a reliable welfare assessment protocol for sea bream. Since there is no direct intervention in this case, the impact is more indirect.
The researcher may explain the following:
● Approximately 100 million sea bream are farmed annually in Turkey.
● The developed protocol has the potential to be used by certification programs or producer guidelines.
● If it reaches 10% of the sector in the initial phase, it may be possible to monitor and improve the welfare of approximately 10 million fish.
The grant is paid via bank transfer to an account opened in the name of the applicant or the organization that will carry out the project; no payments are made to third parties. Any fees incurred from international transfers are the responsibility of the recipient. Your tax liability may vary depending on whether you are applying as an individual or through your organization. We cannot provide advice on this matter and recommend that you consult a tax advisor. Please also note that we may be unable to make certain payments due to reasons beyond our control, such as international sanctions.
No. Your project is not expected to directly improve the welfare of a large number of fish during the research period. However, in your application, you are expected to explain how your findings will improve fish welfare in the long term, how these results will contribute to practice, industry practices, technologies, management decisions, or policies, and, if possible, approximately how many fish’s welfare could be affected.
We recommend that you use the sample size necessary to ensure your research is conducted with scientific rigor. At the same time, we support keeping the number of animals used as low as possible without compromising the achievement of your research objectives. During the evaluation process, consideration will be given not only to the scientific quality of the research but also to the scalability and potential impact on fish welfare of the knowledge to be gained.
Funded projects are expected to be carried out in accordance with the work plan submitted at the time of application. A grant agreement will be signed with researchers who are awarded grants, and this agreement will set forth the rights and obligations of the parties in detail.
In general, researchers receiving grants are required to:
- Complete the project within the specified timeframe,
- Submit interim and final technical/financial reports on time,
- to appropriately acknowledge Future For Fish as a supporting organization in project outputs, publications, and presentations,
- to notify Future For Fish in advance of any significant changes to the project,
- to share project results and, where possible, contribute to dissemination activities within the sector
Detailed terms and conditions will be set out in the Grant Agreement and shared with successful applicants prior to the start of the project.
Yes. As long as your project falls within the scope of future grant calls, you may reapply with the same project or an improved version of it.
The number of projects that can be funded in each call is limited by the budget and the quality of other applications. Therefore, if a project is not funded, it does not necessarily mean that the project lacks sufficient quality. At Future For Fish, we support the development of strong and feasible research ideas in the field of fish welfare.
Following the evaluation of preliminary applications, the projects invited to the Full Application stage are scheduled to be announced on August 24, 2026. However, this date is subject to change depending on the number of applications, the evaluation process, or other operational requirements.
Once the Full Application process is complete, the goal is to finalize the evaluations, determine which projects will receive funding, and finalize the grant agreements by December 2026. Any potential changes to the timeline will be communicated to applicants in a timely manner.
We invite researchers to apply to this call to increase the production of scientific knowledge on fish welfare and pave the way for tangible improvements in the sector. Every new piece of knowledge and solution developed will contribute to the livelihood of millions of fish.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

FUTURE FOR FISH

Future for Fish is a program of the Farm Animal Protection Association in Türkiye. Our mission is to deliver lasting, systematic, and measurable improvements in fish welfare across Türkiye’s aquaculture and fisheries sector. We act as a bridge between producers, researchers, and international organizations, supporting practical, science-based solutions to welfare challenges on farms.

With this goal in mind, Future For Fish works to make fish welfare a more visible, measurable, and actionable agenda in Türkiye through fish welfare commitments for sea bass and sea bream, educational programmes for students, industry reports, stakeholder events, and close collaboration with producers through site visits, pilot observations, and on-the-ground discussions.

This grant programme is part of our efforts to strengthen academic research capacity in fish welfare in Türkiye and support the generation of evidence-based knowledge that can drive practical improvements in fish welfare.

Do You Have a Project Proposal?

Share your research ideas on fish welfare with us. You can contact our team with any questions or inquiries you may have before applying.

Contact

For pre-application questions and eligibility guidance: info@futureforfish.org