A £1 million pot that will help to bring life to empty station premises is being re-opened to new applications said Transport Minister Keith Brown.
The Stations Community Regeneration Fund (SCRF) was created to bring disused station space back into use for the benefit of passengers or the local community.
The latest round of applications will follow on the success of previous awards that secured a total of £332k in grant funding. This leaves around £668k in the pot for future projects that meet the suitability criteria.
Funding is available from Transport Scotland for up to 50% of the improvement or fit-out costs.
Mr Brown said: “The Stations Community Regeneration Fund is a good example of how targeted investment can help stimulate economic growth.
“We have already seen good examples of this funding, used for businesses such as cafes and heritage centres, creating win-win situations. Passengers are benefiting from improved facilities at stations while new opportunities for job creation and community involvement are opened up.
“I look forward to other similarly imaginative organisations coming forward with innovative proposals for station buildings in their own communities.”
Steve Montgomery, ScotRail managing director added:
“Bringing surplus accommodation into community use is a key part of our Adopt a Station policy, which also embraces artworks and restoring a floral presence to our stations.
“SCRF complements funds from other sources, including the Railway Heritage Trust.”
The Stations Community Regeneration Fund will be managed and administered by ScotRail with applications being evaluated by Transport Scotland.
Funding for the scheme has been made available following the decision to extend the ScotRail franchise with FirstGroup until 2014.
Anyone with new business ideas or projects which benefit rail passengers or the local community are invited to apply for a funding contribution and the form is available here.
The scheme is one of 28 initiatives which will benefit from an investment drawn from negotiated benefits of the franchise extension.
