The PRIMAR S-100 Capacity Building Fund

The PRIMAR S-100 Capacity Building Fund contributes to the technical implementation of S-100 by supporting capacity building activities that help IHO members move from intent to operational readiness. 
S-100 funding Application form (pdf)
ECCfolk_2022_6

What is the CBF?

The PRIMAR S-100 Capacity Building Fund is a dedicated initiative from the PRIMAR members to support skills, workflows and implementation activities related to S-100. The focus is on enabling organisations to adopt S-100 in a practical way—through targeted capacity building rather than capital investment. The PRIMAR members have collectively decided to use funds generated through PRIMAR to support S-100 implementation across the IHO community.

S-100 implementation requires new competence, updated procedures and coordinated ways of working across roles and organisations. The CBF exists to help reduce barriers to adoption by supporting capacity building activities that are aligned with recognised standards and existing operational frameworks.

What the fund prioritises

The fund prioritises support in two tiers.

Firstly, it gives primary priority to capacity building initiatives related to PRIMAR Member Nations. Secondly, it supports official IHO S-100 capacity building projects and activities.

What types of activities can receive support?

The CBF is intended to support capacity building activities that contribute directly to S-100 technical implementation. Typical examples can include:

  • Training and course activities including delivery, adaptation to local needs, and structured learning plans

  • Workshops and implementation support focused on S-100 readiness (roles, processes, data/workflow understanding)

  • Activities that build sustainable internal capability (e.g., QA routines, release procedures, implementation planning)

Activities that reuse or build upon existing PRIMAR services/resources where practical

What the fund does not support

To keep the fund focused on competence and implementation capability, no purchase of hardware or software may be funded through the PRIMAR S-100 Capacity Building Fund.

Key criteria for use of the fund

Activities supported by the CBF should, as far as possible:

  • Reuse existing PRIMAR services/resources

  • Be framed as capacity building for S-100 technical implementation (not general IT procurement)

  • Be proposed through the established PRIMAR process  

Governance and decision-making

Governance and decision-making for the PRIMAR S-100 Capacity Building Fund is handled by the PRIMAR S-100 Capacity Building Fund Steering Committee (CBFSC).

The committee is composed of the PAC Chair, the PAC Vice Chair, the Director of PRIMAR, and the Managing Director of ECC. In addition, any PRIMAR member may appoint delegates to the CBFSC.

Funding decisions are made by consensus, and the committee reports annually to PAC.

How to apply

This procedure has been established to support applications for funding from the PRIMAR S-100 Capacity Building Fund, as agreed at the PRIMAR Advisory Committee 31  (PAC31). The procedure will be reviewed annually.

Part 1 outlines the aim, purpose, and eligibility criteria for the use of the PRIMAR S-100 Capacity Building Fund.

Part 2 provides the application form to be completed when applying for support from the PRIMAR S-100 Capacity Building Fund.

Download application form here (PDF)