Peatland Action - Applying for funding - Information for applicants

Getting in touch with us

You must get in touch with us as early as possible before you submit your Expression of Interest form. We’ll arrange for one of our Project Officers to help you to complete your for.

There are two steps to the application process

Step one: Pre-application Expression of Interest (EoI)

To ensure applicants focus on designing and preparing projects which have the highest chance of securing funding we have introduced a pre-application step. Anyone interested in developing a peatland restoration project and applying for NatureScot Peatland ACTION funding must first submit an Expression of Interest Form for each project. We will undertake a desktop scoping exercise after which we will provide feedback on the next steps.

Step two: Application (for those who have completed step one)

All applications must first complete an Expression of interest form (step one of the application process) before completing or submitting an application form.

The next NatureScot Peatland ACTION application deadline is 30 September 2025 for projects with an intended start date after 01 April 2026.

We’ll arrange for one of our Project Officers to support you to develop your project and advise on specific application requirements including your spatial data, peat depth and peatland condition survey, peatland restoration and The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2015) and, our procurement requirements.  You’ll also need to consider any environmental sensitivities and any licences, permissions or consents for your project at an early stage.  This includes Permitted Development Rights for peatland restoration schemes, which came into force from 1 April 2021. 

Please visit our Peatland ACTION website for further information, guidance notes and templates.

How to Apply

• Deadline for NatureScot Peatland ACTION applications is no later than 30 September 2025 for projects with an intended start date after 01 April 2026.
   
• Application form, guidance for applicant and our Standard Terms and Conditions of Funding
  • The NatureScot Peatland ACTION application documents have been updated to reflect these changes. 

• Further information on our new approach to processing applications and criteria for assessing applications for 2024/25.  

   

Other information

We also welcome large scale multiyear proposals, for which we will, where appropriate, make multiyear offers.  Where possible, we want restoration projects to complete by 31 December in each financial year to avoid the significant impacts of winter weather.  Our final date for completion of site-based and non-site based restoration activities is 31 March in each financial year, and these activities must be claimed for by 15 April in each financial year.

Where you have identified a multiyear programme of work you should schedule activity into discrete projects that can be delivered and costed within each financial year (1 April to 31 March).  

It is important that you complete the application form fully.  If your application does not contain all the information we need to complete our assessment, we may return it to you for revision and re-submission.

If your application is successful:

• You will not be able to start your project until we have made you a Funding Offer and you have accepted it.  We will not make you an Offer until we have received tender documentation confirming the project costs and have finalised our decision.
• We will agree a start date for your project with you.  If you do not start the site-based restoration activity within the agreed period, we will discuss the impact of the delay on your ability to deliver the terms of the Funding Offer in the time available.  This is important to allow us to more accurately forecast project spend.  We reserve the right to reduce or withdraw your Funding Offer.

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2015) (the Regulations) apply to all peatland restoration projects.  All applications must demonstrate that the necessary steps have been taken during the planning and design stages to ensure compliance with the Regulations.  Pre-application assignment of key duty holder roles is essential, and letters of appointment must be submitted with your application.  If you have not already done so, you must talk to a Project Officer who will assist you with the process.  Please email peatlandaction@nature.scot and one of the team will get in touch with you.

Information on the Regulations and the responsibilities for all involved in a restoration project is available on our website at Peatland restoration and The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Peat depth and peatland condition surveys

A peat depth and peatland condition survey is now needed before restoration work starts.  In future, you will need to provide it with your application.  If you don’t yet have one, you must discuss your plans with a Project Officer who will be able to assist you.  Alternatively, if a feasibility study has previously been completed and covers your proposed restoration area you should be able to use that, but please get in touch to confirm whether it is suitable for application purposes.  Please email peatlandaction@nature.scot and we’ll arrange for one of the team to get in touch.  You must use the Peat depth and peatland condition survey guidance and recording template available on our website.

Applicants, agents and contractors

As the applicant, you will be responsible for delivery of the approved activities within agreed timescales, as per the Terms and Conditions of Funding.  If you are unsure about your obligations, we advise you to take professional or legal advice.

Use of agents

• You may appoint an agent to act on your behalf.  We recommend that you have an agreement with your agent setting out the terms of the funding contract you expect them to fulfil on your behalf.  However, your agent cannot sign in acceptance of any Funding Offer we make.
• Our funding contract will be with you, and you will be responsible for compliance with the terms and conditions of funding, for a period of up to 10 (ten) years.  You will be responsible for making sure any necessary permissions or consents are in place prior to work commencing.  You will also be responsible for sending us regular monthly progress reports on time.  The schedule for reporting will be outlined in any Funding Offer.
• Our standard process is to make payments in arrears direct to the applicant, via BACS.  However, in some cases, you can ask us to make payments direct to your appointed agent.  We will provide you with the necessary documentation to allow such payments to be made.
• We cannot pay any VAT that you are able to reclaim from HM Revenue and Customs.  If you are not able to reclaim VAT from HM Revenue and Customs, we will pay for irrecoverable VAT and you should include any irrecoverable VAT in your project costs.  However, if you are able to reclaim VAT, but your agent is not and you want your agent to receive payments on your behalf, we won’t pay for any irrecoverable VAT incurred by your agent.

Use of Contractors

Procurement requirements

The key principles of public sector procurement of being able to demonstrate openness, fairness, transparency and equal treatment when purchasing goods, services or works using public funds apply.  Peatland ACTION awards public funds therefore the principles above must be applied to procurement exercises in successful projects.

As well as these key principles, it is also essential to demonstrate that value for money has, or will be, achieved.

Our expectations are set out in our procurement guidance and templates 

Conditions of funding

As the applicant, you must accept our Standard Terms and Conditions of Funding.  These are non-negotiable as set out in the Standard Terms and Conditions of Funding, on our website.

In addition, the following mandatory special conditions apply to all Peatland ACTION Fund projects.  Please note that we may apply further special conditions depending on the exact nature of your project.  You must accept all terms and conditions of funding (standard, mandatory and special) before starting any works.

A contractual agreement must be put in place between you and your appointed contractor as well as any agent working on your behalf.  This is to ensure that all parties are committed to working in good faith to deliver the grant-funded project as detailed in this Funding Offer, enabling you to fulfil the Terms of Grant.  The agreement should outline:
–    Individual responsibilities to ensure the project can deliver to the required timescales, in each Financial Year, and standards (as further detailed in the Statement of Requirements and the Tender Submission).  This includes the timely submission of progress reports, claims and final report.
–    Steps to be taken in the event that one of the parties is unable to fulfil their requirements as part of the agreement
–    Any agreed penalties needed to protect the interests of the individual parties to the agreement
You must submit a copy of the contractual agreement to your Funding Officer within 4 weeks of this Offer.
You must comply with the Peatland ACTION Guidance on how to acknowledge our support for your project that is available on our website.

Please note – you should not promote your award until we have received signed Acceptance of your Offer. We will be back in touch with you when you have accepted your award to outline your options for promoting your project.
All information collected in your project will be submitted to NatureScot and made freely available for reuse.  The information, including the spatial data, will be used for NatureScot legitimate interests. These include, but are not limited to, reporting on the Peatland Action programme outcomes and informing the development of policy and guidance on sustainable management and restoration of peatland.  The data will also be shared with research communities (to support the national research programme on climate change mitigation and land use management) and any other party NatureScot considers relevant.  The data will be made available for reuse under the Open Government Licence and will be freely available for download from public domains such as SEWeb, NBN Atlas Scotland and Scotland’s Soils.  Personal information will be handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and any other relevant legislation, please refer to our Funding Privacy Notice.

All work supported by this grant refers to sites described and mapped in your application.  Any changes agreed will need to be supported by revised maps and associated spatial data.
All reports must be supported by spatial data submitted in our approved format.  All completed site-based restoration activities must be mapped by the end of your project and spatial data complying with our data standards, must be submitted to us with your Final Report.  
All relevant licences, permissions or consents must be confirmed before work commences and are the responsibility of the applicant.  This includes SEPA licences, felling permissions, SSSI consents, local planning authority permissions or any other permissions relating to designated sites, land use or land ownership, where appropriate.  You will need to provide evidence prior to starting your project, unless we agree otherwise, in writing.
Following completion of the capital works paid for by this project you must provide a report on management success and failures of the project five years from the date of your final grant payment.  This is to allow us to understand the impact of the restoration work on the site.
Site improvements must be maintained for 10 years from the date of your final grant payment. This includes maintenance of site-based restoration works should they suffer any deer or livestock damage and no muirburn on restoration sites for the period. 
Where not already agreed, the Start Date for your project must be agreed with your Funding Officer within 4 weeks of this Offer. If you do not start the approved restoration activity within an agreed period, we reserve the right to reduce or withdraw our Funding Offer.  You must inform your Funding Officer when the project starts.
You must arrange for a site visit from the Peatland Action Project Officer before contractors leave the site.  This is to make sure that works have been completed to a satisfactory standard.  Final claims will not be assessed for payment without an inspection visit, unless we have previously agreed in writing that a visit is not needed.
You must provide a Final Report within 21 days of completing the project and before the final payment.  The guidance Final Report template attached to this Funding Offer sets out the requirements.  Note we will not assess a final claim for payment without a final report that meets the required standard.  Failure to submit the report within 21 days may result in penalties. 
You must submit monthly progress reports and claims throughout the duration of your project.  The schedule for progress reports and claims will be noted in Section 4 of your Funding Offer.  We reserve the right to withhold funds if you do not submit progress reports and claims on time.  Monthly progress reports should detail: 
–    Number of Ha competed and £ spent in the reporting period
–    Any risks or issues anticipated that might impact delivery in the financial year
–    If the project is on track to complete approved activity by the agreed completion date, in each financial year (1 April to 31 March)
–    If the project is on track to spend to full budget by the agreed completion date, in each financial year (1 April to 31 March).
It is important that your project adheres to the agreed delivery schedule outlined in your Funding Offer.  The schedule of works (and costs) detailed in each financial year (1 April to 31 March) must be delivered in the financial year (1 April to 31 March) in which they are scheduled.  The schedule of works (and costs) cannot be revised without prior approval, in writing, from the Peatland Action Funding Officer.  We will not pay for any unapproved changes.    

If a contractor demobilises from site without permission from the NatureScot Funding Officer, NatureScot will not cover the demobilisation costs or any future re-mobilisation costs.
Please refer to our website Peatland ACTION Restoration and The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2015) apply to all peatland restoration projects.  Prior to works commencing, a Letter of Appointment for the Contractor must be submitted to your Funding Officer.  The Letter of Appointment must be kept up to date in the event of a change in contractors.  Peatland ACTION may also request supporting documentation such as a Construction Health and Safety Plan and Post Construction Health and Safety File and this must be made available upon request.
Where elements of delivery will be undertaken through sub-contracts, we expect open and fair competition to be demonstrated.  Applicants must provide details of all sub-contract tendering and the sub-contracting arrangements including the delivery schedule and costs.  Any increase in sub-contracting costs that will impact the total cost of the restoration works must not be agreed without prior approval, in writing, by your Funding Officer.  We reserve the right to decline the proposed sub-contract based on quality as well as costs.
You will pay at least the real Living Wage to all directly employed project staff, including apprentices. Any member of staff employed by sub-contractors or agency staff engaged in the delivery of the project must also be paid at least the real Living Wage. Guidance on the evidence you must provide, and keep to show compliance, is provided in Fair Work First - guidance for funding applicants.

You will ensure there are appropriate processes for “Effective Workers’ Voice”. All workers employed in the delivery of the project must have an appropriate effective voice as defined in Fair Work First - guidance for funding applicants. (This is not applicable to sole traders or private individuals).

You must provide evidence of all private contributions to your project, in each financial year.
 

Designations: natural heritage, landscape, historic

Your application must take into account any designated sites that lie within or adjacent to your land.

There are three categories of designations that may impact on an application:

• Natural heritage designations: Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Natura sites – Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
• Landscape and recreational designations: National Scenic Area, Regional Park, Country Park, National Park

You can find details of these designations using NatureScot Data Services and specifically our NatureScot SiteLink and our NatureScot SiteLink Map Search.  You can also get advice on these designations from your local NatureScot Office, or you can get in touch with us at peatlandaction@nature.scot.  We recommend you do this as early as possible before you make your application.

• Historic and archaeological designations: Scheduled Monuments or archaeological remains (features/sites)

You can get advice on scheduled monuments and the scheduled monument consent process from:  Historic Environment Scotland, Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH  Tel: 0131 668 8716  email:  HMconsultations@hes.scot.  The local planning authority’s archaeology team can advise on archaeological remains (features/sites). 

Spatial data, data standards and monitoring

It is important that we are able to monitor and report on the effectiveness of the Peatland ACTION Fund.  To help us do this, you must submit spatial data for your restoration project(s) with your application.  You must also get in touch with us to confirm your spatial data is suitable for application purposes.  Please use the spatial data templates and guidance provided on our website.  Please email peatlandaction@nature.scot and we’ll arrange for one of the team to get in touch with you.

If you don’t have access to GPS or GIS for mapping purposes, we may be able to arrange for one of the Peatland ACTION team to carry out any mapping on your behalf.  If you have not already discussed your project(s) with one of our Project Officers, you must get in touch as early as possible before you submit your application.

Spatial data

We require spatial data to be submitted with your application, and with your final report, as follows: 

Application stage:

• Site boundaries - (site outline and restoration footprint) to be restored*
• Site features to be restored (e.g. drains, gullies and bare peat etc.)
• Location of site-based restoration activities (e.g. installation of dams, re-profiling, bare peat planting, mulching etc.)
• Your access routes.

Final report, at the end of the completed project:

• Site boundaries (site outline and restoration footprint) of restored area(s)*
• Site features that were restored
• Location of site-based restoration activities that were completed.

*Please use the guidance Site boundaries - what are they and how do I draw them? available on our website.

Data standards

To manage and share information in a consistent way, we have developed a standard data structure which must be used for submitting your data; this includes GIS projects and spreadsheet templates.  All data produced must comply with the following data standards:

• Spatial data must be provided in the format specified by the spatial data templates available on our website (ArcGIS Pro and QGIS).
• All data must be provided with full metadata.  Please use the geospatial metadata template available on our website.
• If a background map was used to derive (digitise) spatial data, please specify which background map you have used for licensing purposes.

Progress reporting and payment of funds

You will need to send us monthly reports about the progress with your approved activities, for the duration of your project.  A progress report may or may not include a claim for payment of funds.

Payment of funds will be made in arrears on submission of a completed progress and claim form.  A claim for payment comprises a project report about progress with your approved activities, an itemised list of actual spend and copies of itemised receipted invoices.  The progress reporting, claims and payment schedules will be discussed and agreed with you as part of any Funding Offer we make.

A request for payment should be submitted to us, based on the dates agreed within the final Funding Offer.  Subject to evidence of satisfactory progress and spend, we aim to pay within 10 days of receiving a claim, but if we have any queries on your claim, payment is likely to take longer.  We will not make final payment without receiving a completed final report that meets the necessary standards. 

We understand that some applicants may experience cash-flow challenges when managing large restoration projects.  To ease the burden we will consider interim, more frequent claims to allow us to release funds as soon as possible after expenditure has been incurred.  Please contact your Funding Officer if you want to submit interim claims.

In exceptional circumstances we can consider making a proportionate up-front payment where sufficient ‘’evidence of need’’ is demonstrated.  Before we can consider a request for an upfront payment as part of our assessment, we need the following information:

• Confirmation of your organisation’s current cash balance
• Cash flow projections for the project duration indicating the amount of cash shortfall for which you require an advance from us
• Your most recent audited accounts (if appropriate).  If unavailable, copies of your financial management accounts, for example your cash or account book(s).

Fair Work First - requirements of the Fair Work First Policy relating to the real Living Wage and channels for Effective Voice

Fair Work First is the Scottish Government's flagship policy for driving high quality and fair work across the labour market in Scotland. This is increasingly being implemented by applying fair work criteria to grants, other funding and contracts being awarded across the public sector, where relevant to do so.

We are introducing two elements of the Fair Work First policy for all new funding offers issued from 1 July 2023. These are: for employees to receive at least the Real Living Wage; and for workers to be provided with appropriate channels for effective voice.  

Further information can be found in Fair Work First - guidance for funding applicants.

In exceptional circumstances, if an applicant cannot afford the real Living Wage (rLW) there is potential to increase the grant to meet the rLW. Should you have any concerns regarding this, you should contact us peatlandactiongrant@nature.scot or contact your Funding Officer at the earliest opportunity.  We may consider measures to ensure the Fair Work First requirements remain proportionate and this will be considered by NatureScot on a case by case basis.

Funding recipients must provide evidence that they comply with the Fair Work First Policy by completing a Fair Work First - employer declaration form. Completed declarations and related evidence should be sent to your NatureScot Funding Officer or peatlandactiongrant@nature.scot prior to any Funding Offer being issued.

Essential reading

You must read all the following guidance about the Peatland ACTION Fund, and note your responsibilities.  All Peatland ACTION guidance can be found on our website, including all the guidance notes and templates referred to in this document:

• Peatland ACTION – Frequently asked questions
• Peatland ACTION – Outcomes and priorities for action
• Peatland ACTION – Fund eligibility criteria
• Applying for funding – information for applicants
• Peatland ACTION – Procurement – Guidance for applicants
• Changes to support for species protection for Peatland ACTION projects
• Assessing herbivore impact for Peatland ACTION projects
• Peatland restoration and The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 – information for applicants
• Peat depth and peatland condition survey and recording form guidance
• Spatial data templates and guidance (including Site boundaries - what are they and how do I draw them?)
• Final report template (this specifies the information you must provide at the end when your project is complete)
• NatureScot Standard Terms and Conditions of Funding
• How to acknowledge our support for your project
• Guidance for grant applicants – financial information and records
• Fair Work First guidance

Where to get help

Please see the following email addresses to help us better support you with your Peatland ACTION application and delivery of your project, as follows:

• peatlandaction@nature.scot

To get in touch with a local Project Officer to discuss your proposed restoration project or if you are interested in a feasibility study.

• peatlandactiongrant@nature.scot

For all queries relating to your application or delivery of your project.  This address is also used to submit your application, for funding offers, progress reports, and claim forms, or to request changes to your project.  You can also get advice on procurement for your project.

• peatlandactiondata@nature.scot

For a copy of the Peatland ACTION Monitoring Strategy.

• peatlandactionmedia@nature.scot
• To discuss your project communications materials.

All information, guidance notes and templates referred to in this document can be found on our Peatland ACTION website.