Scottish Wind Innovation for the Forth and Tay (SWIFT)
Formerly the Offshore Wind Place Based Impact Accelerator Account (PBIAA).
What is SWIFT?
Scottish Wind Innovation for the Forth and Tay (SWIFT) is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, the University of Dundee and Forth & Tay Offshore. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), SWIFT connects world-class research and expertise with industry needs to accelerate offshore wind technology and innovation across the east coast of Scotland.
Building on the Place-Based Impact Accelerator Account (PBIAA) programme, SWIFT supports collaboration between industry and academia to address real-world challenges and opportunities across the offshore wind sector.
SWIFT is a four-year programme running from April 2025 to March 2029.
What SWIFT offers
SWIFT brings together industry, researchers and regional partners to support innovation in offshore wind. Through funding, collaboration and knowledge exchange, the programme helps organisations develop solutions to sector challenges while creating opportunities for research impact and commercial application.
SWIFT will provide:
- Funding opportunities
- Access to university expertise and facilities
- Industry-academic collaboration
- Online masterclasses
- Networking and engagement events
- Project development support
About the Partners
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Lead Civic Partner Forth & Tay Offshore Academic Partners The University of Edinburgh and the University of Dundee
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Supporting Partners
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How is SWIFT funded?
SWIFT is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), supporting collaboration between researchers, industry and regional partners to address real-world offshore wind challenges.
What projects have been identified so far?
We’re looking to collaborate with offshore wind suppliers and innovators who have potential solutions to real-world challenges, including:
Improving substructure design, manufacturing, assembly, and installation for Forth & Tay wind farms and ports.
Enhancing moorings and anchor systems for local seabed conditions.
Supporting sustainable deployment by addressing social, economic, and environmental non-price factors.
Achieving net positive biodiversity impacts, including through permitting and consenting.
Advancing logistics for investigation, installation, monitoring, and maintenance.
Creating more effective community benefit schemes for the Forth & Tay region.
If you have an idea or challenge that could benefit from research expertise, SWIFT can help connect you with university researchers and support opportunities to develop potential solutions.
How can you get involved?
To find out more or get involved, please contact pbiaa-offshore@ed.ac.uk
Stay updated with the latest from the SWIFT programme by signing up to the mailing list. You can also use this link to arrange a meeting with the project team.
Latest Updates:
SWIFT FlexiFund Opens for Applications
The SWIFT FlexiFund is now open for applications, offering up to £50,000 per project to help translate existing research, evidence, technologies and expertise into practical benefits for the offshore wind sector across the Forth and Tay region.
The fund is expected to support up to five collaborative projects, each running for between six and twelve months. Projects must involve collaboration with at least one relevant non-academic partner, user or beneficiary.
Key information
- Funding available of up to £50,000 per project
- Approximately five projects will be supported
- Project duration of 6 to 12 months
- Collaboration with at least one non-academic partner is required
- Expression of Interest deadline: 21 September 2026
To help prospective applicants learn more about the opportunity, the SWIFT team will host an information webinar and live Q&A session:
Webinar and Q&A
- Date: Thursday 27 August 2026
- Time: 2:00pm
- Location: Microsoft Teams
Further information, webinar registration details and the Expression of Interest form are available via the SWIFT website.
Introducing SWIFT: A New Identity for the Offshore Wind PBIAA Programme
After a year of collaboration, consultation and development, we are proud to announce a new identity for our Place-Based Impact Accelerator on Offshore Wind:
Scottish Wind Innovation for the Forth and Tay, or SWIFT.
Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), SWIFT brings together the The University of Edinburgh, the University of Dundee and the Forth & Tay Offshore industry cluster.
Together, we are connecting world-class research and expertise with industry needs to accelerate offshore wind technology and innovation across the east coast of Scotland.
This is just the beginning. Follow SWIFT for:
• New funding opportunities
• Free online masterclasses
• Project news and insights
• Industry and academic networking events
• Opportunities to collaborate and get involved
There is much more to come, so watch this space!
£2.5 Million UKRI Place-Based Impact Accelerator Funding Programme Officially Launched at Edinburgh Futures Institute
Launch event on 30 May at Edinburgh Futures Institute
The Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee, in collaboration with Forth & Tay Offshore, have officially launched a £2.5 million UKRI-funded innovation programme designed to drive advancements in Scotland’s offshore wind sector. The launch event, held on 29 and 30 May at the stunning Edinburgh Futures Institute, brought together academia, industry leaders, and policymakers to foster collaboration and accelerate innovation.
The two-day event kicked off on 29 May with an academic roundtable, where university partners and expert researchers gathered to explore potential projects and discuss meaningful ways to engage with industry. This was followed by an exclusive industry engagement dinner, where selected partners were introduced to the funding programme through a concise presentation, leading to valuable networking and productive discussions.
Strengthening Industry-Academic Collaboration
The formal industry launch on 30 May attracted around 70 attendees, offering organisations key insights into the programme’s objectives and opportunities. Academic leads presented the initiative’s vision, outlining how businesses can participate and benefit. A highlight of the event was the showcase of existing collaborations between universities and offshore wind sector stakeholders, demonstrating the power of research-driven industry partnerships.
Discussions underscored significant potential for the offshore wind supply chain, particularly for businesses based in the Forth and Tay region or those actively partnering with local industry. The networking segment of the event helped strengthen connections, facilitating engagement across key stakeholders.
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