As announced in the Spring 2009 issue of NBN News, Big Lottery Fund initiative OPAL is coordinating a dedicated programme of support for local and national natural history societies and recording schemes. As part of this programme, the Natural History Museum has just launched a new three-year funding stream for societies and schemes in England. The OPAL Annual Grant Scheme is a small grants scheme which aims to build the capacity of natural history societies and recording schemes through supporting and enhancing their day-to-day operation, as well as their development and outreach activities. Themed Grant Schemes will take place annually in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Societies and schemes can apply now for grants of between £500 and £2000. The deadline for applications is Friday 31st July 2009.
This year the theme is ‘Making it easier’. Easier for societies to continue with their current activities, easier to expand their activities, and easier to try something new. Examples of projects we will fund include:
• Equipment (for talks, fieldwork or training)
• Promotional materials (leaflets, banners, website)
• Public facing outreach events
• Events and activities that bring together a number of societies or schemes, for example in joint meetings or fieldtrips
Applying to the OPAL Grant Scheme is quick and simple and you are welcome to get in touch with us if you want any advice or help with your application.
Further details and how to apply can be found at http://www.opalexplorenature.org/?q=Societyfunding
If you do not have internet access but would like further information about the Grant Scheme, please contact:
Lucy Carter, OPAL Project Officer, Department of Botany, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD.
Direct tel. 0207 942 5188 or Email. Lucy.carter@nhm.ac.uk
The funding announcement follows a consultation process with schemes and societies, information on which can be found in the Consultation news article