Rewilding Innovation Fund Re-opens for Applications (England, Scotland and Wales)
Rewilding Britain, a charity that works to restore nature, has announced that the next funding round of the Rewilding Innovation Fund is now open for applications. The fund provides up to £15,000 to support innovative rewilding projects across Britain. The Rewilding Innovation Fund will support projects that are part of Rewilding Britain’s Rewilding Network (applicants may join at the point of application) and are working to apply the rewilding principles to benefit nature, climate and people. Projects must be at least 40 hectares and can be land-based or marine. Marine-based projects can be any size.
The Rewilding Innovation Fund was introduced to support the growing number of rewilding projects in Britain. It aims to help these projects overcome some of their challenges, such as securing funding and gaining public support. The closing date for applications is 30 August 2024.
Funding for Projects that Promote a Better Understanding of the Environment and Countryside (UK)
UK based schools and not for profit organisations can apply for funding to the Nineveh Charitable Trust for a broad range of projects and activities that promote a better understanding of the environment and countryside, whilst facilitating improved access, education and research.
Whilst the Trust does not specify a minimum or maximum grant amount that can be applied for, an analysis of previous grants would suggest a maximum of £5,000 per year for up to three years.
Previous projects supported include:
- Busby Primary School which received a grant of £2,000 to build a ‘vertical garden’ for environment enhancement as well as the children’s educational value;
- A grant of £1,400 to Bickleigh-On-Exe Primary School to create an all-weather school and community gardening area with poly-tunnel and shed;
- Castlemilk Day Nursery which received a grant of £5,000 to build a multi-function shelter with provision for special needs teaching; and
- St Joseph’s Specialist School & College, which received a grant of £4,000 towards a community garden expansion.
Applications are usually discussed at the Trustees’ quarterly meetings and applications can be submitted at any time.
Funding Programme to Support Biotechnology Start-Ups (UK)
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, in partnership with the Science and Technology Facilities Council, is inviting expressions of interest for start-ups to join the Biotechnology Business Incubation Centre (BioBIC).
The BioBIC is a business programme designed to help early-stage biotechnology start-ups succeed in commercial markets.
The programme offers funding and business support to help companies bring their innovative technology concepts to market. This includes:
- £50,000 of research and development (R&D) funding
- £10,000 innovation voucher for R&D activity
- technical, commercial and intellectual property support
The scheme is open to UK-registered companies under five years old that have previously received support from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) or a UKRI partner organisation.
The closing date for expressions of interest is 28 July 2024.
Grants of up to £100,000 Available for Community Facilities (England)
Registered Charities, churches, Parish Councils, Local Authorities and CASC registered sports clubs can apply for grants of between £2,000 and £100,000 for the provision, maintenance or improvement of community facilities.
This can include:
- Village Halls and Community Centres;
- Public Play Areas;
- Publicly available Multi use games areas;
- Skate parks and BMX tracks;
- Sport and recreation grounds including pavilions and clubhouses with full public access;
- Churches – community spaces only;
- Nature Reserves;
- Public gardens, parks, country parks and woodlands with at least dawn to dusk access;
- Museums
The funding is being made available through the FCC Community Action Fund and is available to projects located within 10 miles of an eligible FCC Environment site.
Recent changes to its funding policy mean that the FCC Community Foundation will now accept applications for renewable energy projects based at community buildings, including solar panels. Applications for non-substantial extensions such as porches, storage areas and toilets/kitchens will in some circumstances now also be accepted.
All grants require applicants to secure a contributing third party (CTP) payment. This is a very specific payment required to be paid to the landfill operator and should not be confused with match funding. Please see the application guidelines below for further information.
The next application closing date is 5pm on 4 September 2024.