Deadline:
September 08, 2025
Location(s)
United Kingdom Worldwide
Overview
We were established in 1913 and have been promoting the science of ecology and supporting our community ever since. We have 6,500 members around the world and bring people together across regional, national and global scales to advance ecological science. Membership is open to anyone, anywhere. We actively encourage our members to promote ecological science to a wide audience and offer grants of up to £2,000.
Details
We define ecology as the scientific study of the distribution, abundance and dynamics of organisms, their interactions with other organisms and their physical environment. Applications should promote and engage the public with the science of ecology. Grants will not be awarded for purely nature conservation purposes or any activity that does not promote the science of ecology.
We support projects that:
- Increase public understanding of, and engagement with, ecology
- Stimulate discussion about ecology and its implications for society
- Inspire and enthuse people of all ages about the science of ecology, especially those not previously interested
- Develop skills in communicating the science of ecology
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Awards are open to individuals and organisations to organise ecological public engagement events. This includes, but is not limited to, our members, researchers, schools, museums, libraries and community groups.
Your proposal must be aimed at a non-academic audience and all projects must provide a clear demonstration of direct interaction with them. They should also show evidence of links to the research community at UK, regional and international levels, where appropriate.
Applications will NOT be considered for:
- Staff salaries (one off costs that are relevant to completing the event e.g. sub-contracting for logo design, will be considered as long as these are justified in your application)
- Purchase of apparatus, e.g. computers, cameras, unless integral to your application
- Training courses not associated with developing skills in communicating the science of ecology for a public facing audience e.g. specific skills training courses for academics are not eligible for funding
- Academic meetings
- Closed meetings
- Projects aimed solely at delivering curriculum to school children
Applications from museums and schools are welcome, but projects must involve significant outreach beyond schools.
We will not award more than one grant to any one applicant in any one year, and no more than three grants in any five year period. Failure to submit a satisfactory report at the end of a grant will mean you are ineligible to apply for further grants.
For repeat, annual events that request funding more than once – Grants Committee would only consider this if the project showed new novel ideas and development on the previous application.
Dates
Deadline: September 08, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Value
The maximum award is £2,000. However, the award may be used as part-funding for larger projects involving other sponsors.
If the BES grant is being used to part-fund a project, there must be a guarantee that other funding has already been secured. If other funding has been secured for this project, the additional BES funding should add a distinctive element/activity that would not happen otherwise that will greatly enhance the outreach activities, including increased engagement and impact.
Examples of costs that can be covered
- Travel costs.
- Small equipment and IT costs.
- Marketing.
- One-off hiring costs (e.g. a freelancer to deliver an activity, a logo designer).
- Venue hire.
- Evaluation costs.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
