Call for Research Proposals

Current Status: open

Type: National Led Research & Innovation Projects

Process: Two stage; expression of interest followed by full proposal

With financial support from Coefficient Giving, the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling is conducting a three-year project to research and support interventions to the farming, transport and slaughter of commercial farmed fish with significant contribution to local and international markets. As part of this, it is inviting collaborative proposals from academics and others (e.g. NGOs, companies, public and private research institutions, retailers, associations), for short research projects (6 months duration) which meet the objectives and criteria set out in this call for proposals.

Further details about the project and its overall objectives can be found at http://www.asiafishwelfare.net

Countries: Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam

Overview of National Led Call

The Asian Fish Welfare Network (AFWN) is launching a call for Research & Innovation (R&I) projects that strengthen capacity in aquaculture practices to improve welfare throughout the farming and value chain. The purpose of the call is to develop National Led (led by an academic or research organisation based in Indonesia, Thailand or Vietnam) short R&I projects that address the challenges in improving fish welfare within Southeast Asia, targeting Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Project timeline: Projects should be implemented between 9 to 12 months

Budget: Up to £20,000 per project

Focused species: Commercial farmed fish only, with significant contribution to local and international markets. No wild caught fish or shellfish. 

Priority Thematic Areas of Focus:

During phase one of the AFWN project several areas of focus were identified that appear to have the highest potential to improve fish welfare:

  • Humane handling processes, particularly during harvesting, that reduce stress and stimulate better welfare.

  • Humane slaughter practices, including stunning and killing across markets and species.

  • High welfare transport methods of live commercial fish to markets or processing plants.

  • Live animal holding systems in markets that reduce welfare issues.

  • Development of new and/or improved Operational Welfare Indicators (OWIs).

  • Participatory research that aims to:

    • Increase awareness and understanding of fish welfare issues, and how improvements in fish welfare can bring economic and/or societal benefit.

    • Better understand current narratives and perceptions of fish welfare and/or assess how religious beliefs impact on fish welfare improvements.

    • Understand consumer perceptions on product quality, including sensory testing and packaging/labelling.

Eligibility and other criteria: 

In order to be eligible for this funding call proposals should meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • The project must be led by an academic or research organisation based in Indonesia, Thailand or Vietnam with the capacity and capability to deliver the project and its desired results.

  • The project must focus on improving the welfare of farmed fish in Indonesia, Thailand or Vietnam. The AFWN will not support projects focused on wild caught fish or shellfish.

  • All applications are required to have at least one commercial partner in the country where the research will be focused. Other partners are strongly encouraged and could include other universities/research organisations, commercial organisations, government and associated agencies, NGOs, retailers, associations, etc.

  • The project team should be multidisciplinary and include all disciplines required to deliver the project and enable it to bring positive change.

  • There should be a strong focus on creating positive societal and/or economic benefit and impact, particularly to local business and community ecosystems, with clear pathways to enabling impact built into the project. The collaborative partners on the proposal should have a clear role to play in the pathways to creating positive change/impact.

  • Provide evidence or an estimate of the potential positive impacts to fish welfare, and how fish welfare will be improved as an outcome of the proposed project.

  • Ensure adherence to ethical principles and practices and gain ethical approval from the relevant committee/board/body, and that no additional pain or suffering is inflicted on any animal or being.

Deadlines:

Expressions of Interest: Must be submitted by 24th September 2026

Full Proposals (following feedback): Must be submitted by 29th October 2026

Expressions of Interest should be submitted using the Microsoft Word form, linked below. Full information concerning due diligence and contracting will be provided prior to preparation of full proposals. You are strongly advised to make use of the project concept development template (which is also linked below) to help with structuring the proposal, and to prompt consideration of relevant stakeholders, outputs and desired impact.

Successful applications are expected to be informed by 30th November with projects starting on 5th January 2027.


Webinar

A webinar was held on 3rd September 2026 to present the call and respond to questions. A recording of the webinar is available below


Full Call Text
Expression of Interest Template
Project Concept Development Template (use optional)