Application Criteria
Before applying for a Grant, please read these criteria carefully to determine whether your project is eligible.You are also encouraged to review the current RSG projects to see if there is already one in your area before you apply.
Rufford Small Grant For Nature Conservation
What is it?
- A grant of up to £6,000 available for nature conservation projects
Who/what is eligible?
- Individuals or small groups
- Projects outside the first world
Critical components of the application
- Impact must be pragmatic, measurable and long lasting
- The grant must make up the majority of the total budget
- Funds must be used predominantly in the field
- Applications must be submitted through the online applications section of this website.
- The project should generally be approx. 12-18 months duration
Who/what is generally not eligible?
- Projects in first world countries
- Pure research
- Expeditions
- A conference or seminar
Notes
Applications can be made at any time of the year and these are reviewed once all references have been received. The applications are assessed and decisions are usually made within three months, except for Continuation / Completion grants, where the process can take up to six months. There are no interviews.
The online application system must be used and recipients of grants must supply updates of their project during the year and a formal report on completion. Copies of these may be published on this website.
We generally look for projects of about a year's duration although each application is assessed on its own merit and the project length can be flexible.
Further Funding
On successful completion of a RSG, having provided satisfactory feedback and a final report, applicants are welcome to apply for a second RSG and then a Rufford Booster Grant. The details and applications guidelines are set below:
2nd Rufford Small Grant For Nature Conservation
What is it?
- A further grant of up to £6,000 available for nature conservation projects
- Eligibility criteria same as for first grant
Critical components of the application further to first Rufford Small Grant
- Must have submitted interim reports and a final report on first grant before applying for second grant
- Must have three references, at least one of which may not have been used for the previous grant.
- Must include new budget
- Generally a minimum of 18 months between submitting first and second application
Rufford Booster Grant
- It is possible to apply for a Rufford Booster Grant upon successful usage of a 1st and 2nd Rufford Small Grant
- A Booster Grant is generally up to £12,000
- The criteria and application process is the same as for a 2nd Rufford Small Grant and the impact of the work achieved with the 1st and 2nd Rufford Small Grant must be clearly reported
Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Second RSG and Booster Grant applications can only be submitted when the Foundation has received a formal report covering the work previously funded by a Rufford Small Grant.
Continuation and Completion Grants
From 2009, the Foundation is offering substantial continuation funding for projects which have completed the stages outlined above. Note that these grants are only payable through a conduit organisation, and not to individuals.
Continuation Grant
- A Continuation Grant is available ONLY upon completion of a Booster Grant.
- A Continuation Grant is up to £25,000 and ONLY payable through a conduit.
- The grant is for the same project as the Booster.
- Applications must be submitted through the online applications section of this website.
- The review process can take up to six months.
Completion Grant
- A Completion Grant is available ONLY after the Continuation Grant.
- A Completion Grant is up to £25,000 and ONLY payable through a conduit.
- The grant is for the same project as the Continuation.
- Applications must be submitted through the online applications section of this website.
- The review process can take up to six months.