Photo: © Neil Rolph, Poppies, Papaver rhoeas
Suffolk Naturalists’ Society
Grants for Research Projects
Suffolk Naturalists’ Society has received generous donations from benefactors in the past. It now uses these funds to support studies by SNS members on the flora, fauna, and geology of the County.
Amateur naturalists have long been at the forefront of increasing knowledge and documenting the natural history of Suffolk. The flow of records they create helps monitor the changing fortunes of Suffolk wildlife and its habitats. These records are collated by the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service (SBIS), based at the Hold in Ipswich, and play a vital role in protecting wildlife. They are referred to by local authority planning departments, ecological consultancies, land developers, researchers, conservation agencies, and others.
We aim to help those who feel that the costs of a study are a barrier, whether experts or beginners, encouraging exploration of understudied areas of the natural world and explaining the importance of this knowledge to the general public.
Applications are welcome for sums up to £1,000. However, larger or longer-running projects may be eligible for grants exceeding £1,000; please contact SNS for further information.
When an application is successful, half of the grant will be awarded at the start of the study, and the remainder will be awarded upon completion of the study. Discretionary interim payments may be made if appropriate.
Activities eligible for funding include:
- Scientific equipment, books, software, or other relevant items.
- Reasonable travel and subsistence for field work.
- Attending training courses, conferences, specialist meetings and visits to scientific institutions.
- Running workshops or field meetings that encourage people to get involved with wildlife studies and recording.
- Payment for expert guidance and acquiring necessary licences.
Applications can be made at any time and will be considered as soon as possible. However, please allow plenty of time if the start date is essential.
The award is made entirely at the discretion of this committee, and each application is considered on its merits.
Criteria
- Projects should include a large element of original work and further the knowledge of Suffolk’s flora, fauna or geology.
- A written account of the project is required within 12 months, unless the study is over a longer period. This should be in a form suitable for publication in one of the Society’s journals: Suffolk Natural History, Suffolk Birds or White Admiral, and a presentation to members at a meeting would be welcome
- Suffolk Naturalists’ Society should be acknowledged in all publicity associated with the project and in any publications emanating from the project.
- Applicants must agree to comply with all relevant legislation and sound practices (including health and safety), and have the necessary licences and consents from landowners and tenants such as English Nature, Local Authorities and any other interested parties and provide evidence of this.
- Applicants must not breach any copyright.
- If the project is being co-funded by another organisation, the part SNS’s contribution is being used for must be made clear.
- Larger items of equipment applied for may be considered as a “loan”, and many need to be returned to SNS. This will be negotiated on an individual basis.
How to Apply
There are two ways to apply for a grant
You can fill in an online application form by clicking the button below
If you prefer to fill in a paper copy, please contact us for a form.
Benefactors
- Claude Morley, founder of SNS in 1929 (Insects).
- H.E. “Chip” Chipperfield, Honorary Treasurer from mid-1950s to mid-1980s (Butterflies and Moths).
- Lord “Jock” Cranbrook, father of Lord Gathorne Cranbrook – the Society’s Patron (Mammals, Birds and Molluscs).
- Mrs Frances Rivis, a botanist and plant collector, that left her house and land to the Society (Flora).
- Francis Simpson, expert botanist and SNS Botanical Recorder (Botanical studies).
- Alan Hubbard, the Society’s Diptera Recorder from 1993
to 2000 (Invertebrate studies).