Individuals and organisations can apply to the British Ecological Society (BES) for small grants for activities which promote ecological science to a wide audience.
This programme offers grants of up to £2,000 for activities that engage public audiences in innovative and creative ways and enhance others’ skills in communicating ecology to those audiences.
Projects should last for a maximum of 12 months and be aimed at a non-academic audience.
Examples of costs that can be covered include:
- travel costs.
- small equipment and IT costs.
- marketing.
- one-off hire costs (eg. a freelancer to deliver an activity, a logo designer).
- venue hire
- evaluation costs.
Eligible projects must meet at least one of the top-level BES aims:
- Communicate evidence-based messaging for what ecology is, how nature works, and the use of ecological science as a solution to local and global challenges
- Raise awareness and public understanding of ecological careers, their relevance and importance, breadth, and diversity, and show that anybody can become an ecologist
- Share how individuals can take action to benefit the environment, themselves, and society
- Increase the ability of others to deliver the above aims through outreach and engagement activities.
Organisations such as schools, museums, libraries, and community groups are eligible to apply.
Applications from schools must include significant outreach beyond the school. Projects aimed solely at delivering curriculum to school children will not be considered.
Grants may be used as part-funding for larger projects involving other sponsors.
The closing date for applications is 8 September 2026.
Learn more and apply at the BES Outreach and Engagement Grants webpage here.
