EIT Food - Inspire - Restorative Aquaculture

Interested in setting up a business in the Seaweed, Microalgae and Aquaculture sector?

We are delighted to announce that together with EIT Food, Polish Academy of Sciences, and The Seaweed Academy at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) https://seaweedacademy.co.uk/ will deliver our in-person and online INSPIRE Restorative Aquaculture course in October 2025.

More details and apply at: https://learning.eitfood.eu/courses/inspire-restorative-aquaculture
 
Over the course participants will get training in the Aquaculture sector in Europe with a focus on seaweed, microalgae, finfish and shellfish culturing methods and algae biotechnology; and the challenges and opportunities which exist. The programme also provides a high level of online and in-person entrepreneurship training, including working in teams to generate new ideas to respond to current and future challenges in the aquaculture sector; and learn how to translate these into feasible business propositions.
 
Join us as we welcome world renowned experts in aquaculture and the most innovative startups working in this space to increase your knowledge and understanding of the sector; and inspire you to come up with innovative solutions and feasible business propositions to revolutionize aquaculture production in Europe.
 
The course will include live sessions on Zoom and 5 days in-person in at SAMS, Oban, Scotland https://www.sams.ac.uk/ including a visit to the SAMS Seaweed Nursery and Farm and complemented online learning resources. Places are limited to 25 people so please book early to secure your place. Deadline for full applications and payments is: 09:00 CET 19^th September 2025.

The structure for 2025 is for:

Week 1 (online): Start Monday 13th October; Tuesday 14th October; Wednesday 15th October 2025 (plus self study time on CANVAS): Introduction to course online, with course content delivered from the SAMS (algae and biotech) and PAS (fisheries, IMTA) teams and with large input from the Inspire entrepreneurship spine team.

Week 2 (in-person SAMS all week, online): Monday 20th October 9am – 5pm Friday 25th October 2025: the delegates come to SAMS Seaweed Academy for the in-person training from Monday to Friday (seaweed, microalgae, shellfish, analytical biochemistry, rural society, IMTA, seagrass, blue economy, site visits). https://seaweedacademy.co.uk/

Week 3 (online) Final pitch: Friday 7th November 2025

The school ends with a final test. Successful participants will be granted a Certificate of Completion.

The 900 euro fee includes delivery of the course over the three weeks and certification. For the in-person course the fee includes all refreshments and lunch during the day (9am to 5pm), one evening dinner and social midweek and accommodation in Oban (if required).

We have five EIT Food fee-funded places available for up to five individuals with genuine care, responsibilities; persons on parental leave; and people living in rural areas, where ability to pay is a barrier to joining the course. These will be given out in priority to learners resident and/or studying in the EU or associated partner country. Applications for waivers from residents from other countries are still welcome but please request well ahead of the course deadline. Get in touch with the team via eit[email protected] to apply for an EIT-Food funded place, providing your contact details and reasoning.  Please note we do not offer any grants for travel or cover visa costs.