Suffolk Naturalists Society grants

SNS / SBIS Recording Grant Programme
For those wanting to start recording wildlife more seriously the SNS and the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service in conjunction with the Field Studies Centre at Flatford Mill also offer Recording Bursaries to assist people with the cost of attending identification courses. Read the full details here.

SNS Grant Programme for Research Projects

Suffolk Naturalists’ Society has received generous donations from benefactors in the past and uses these to fund studies by Members of the Society on the flora, fauna and geology of the County. Amateur naturalists have always been in the forefront in increasing knowledge and recording the natural history of Suffolk. A continuous flow of records monitors the changing fortunes of wildlife and its habitats; it is collated at the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service (SBIS), based at The Hold in Ipswich and plays an important role in protecting wildlife. It is 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, either 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 welcomed for small or large sums, £1,000 or more for substantial, longer running, projects.

The Grants
The bursaries are not tied to the topics listed on the right, but wherever possible Suffolk Naturalists’ Society Council aims to match the application to the interests of the naturalist in whose name the bursary is awarded.

Larger projects may be eligible for grants of over £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 on 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 are considered as soon as possible but please leave plenty of time if the start date is important. The award is made entirely at the discretion of this committee and each application is considered on its merits.