Grant Management is going Digital!

NatureScot is soon to be moving onto a new digital Grant Management System (GMS). 

As 25% of our annual budget is spent through external funding, this is an important development to improve management of our funds. 

Introducing Flexigrant

The system we’ll be using is called “Flexigrant”. It’s configurable cloud-based software designed to manage the entire grant lifecycle from application to reporting. 

Currently, we use a paper-based method to administer grants. Flexigrant will improve this process for us, our applicants and grantees. 

Moving to the new system

The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) and the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS) grants will be the first loaded onto the system, shortly followed by the Scottish Marine Environment Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) and Peatland ACTION. 

The aim will be to begin administering all four funds on the system by spring 2026. We’ll add more funds to the GMS after that.

What does this mean for you?

If you already have a grant from NatureScot and are submitting progress reports and claims, the process will become digital once the fund has gone live. You will be emailed with details about moving to the digital system in due course. 

Those submitting an application will apply via a portal on our website. We expect this portal to accept applications from spring 2026. All applications before this will use our existing systems.

More information

If you have any questions about the GMS and its implementation, please contact [email protected].

Willow Warbler image ©Laurie Campbell.