Several opportunities are currently available for funding and grants as detailed below.
National Lottery Grants for Heritage – Grants of up to £10 Million Available (UK)
Not-for-profit organisations across the UK can now apply for grants of between £250,000 and £10 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for projects connecting people and communities to UK heritage. The funding can be used to support a broad range of activities and project costs, but must take into account the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s four investment principles:
- saving heritage
- protecting the environment
- inclusion, access and participation
- organisational sustainability
Partnerships are encouraged. Up to 10% match funding is required. The next deadline for applications is 12 pm on 26 February 2025.
Funding for School Climate & Biodiversity Projects (UK)
UK primary and secondary schools can apply for grants of up to £3,000 for projects tackling climate change and biodiversity. This funding is provided by the Royal Society’s Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists Programme, an extension of their Partnership Grants Programme, which aims to engage students in environmental challenges while promoting STEM education. To qualify for the funding, schools must partner with a STEM professional from academia or industry. The grants are primarily intended to cover the cost of necessary equipment for these projects. The application process for the Partnership Grants scheme involves two stages, with the first stage applications due by 30 April 2025.
Rewilding Innovation Fund Opens for Applications (England, Scotland and Wales)
Rewilding Britain, a nature restoration charity, has reopened applications to its Rewilding Innovation Fund. The fund offers grants of up to £15,000 to support innovative rewilding projects across Britain. The fund accepts applications from a range of organisations, including community groups, private landowners, and public-sector organisations involved in environmental conservation. To be considered, land-based projects must encompass a minimum of 40 hectares of contiguous land, while marine projects can be of any size. Eligible projects can cover a wide range of activities, from community engagement and feasibility studies to technological innovations and strategic planning. The primary goal is to remove barriers to rewilding and encourage creative, impactful approaches to ecological restoration that benefit nature, climate, and local communities. Applicants need to be part of the Rewilding Britain’s Rewilding Network (applicants may join at the point of application).
Project Funding to Restore Peatlands (Wales)
Grants of between £10,000 and £250,000 are available for projects that restore Welsh peatlands. The funding will enable individuals and organisations to deliver projects that reverse habitat loss and improve the condition of peatlands. Costs including project costs, equipment, contractors, overheads, and networking costs can be supported. Match funding is encouraged. The funding is made available through Natural Resources Wales’ Peatland Restoration Grant Scheme. The total funding available for the grant programme is around £700,000. The closing date for applications is 18 March 2025.
Local charities, community groups, schools, colleges, and local authorities within the Severn Trent Water region can apply for grants between £2,000 and £20,000 to support new community projects. These grants, provided through the Severn Trent Community Fund, focus on three key areas: People (healthier lifestyles and skills development), Place (improving community spaces), and Environment (enhancing natural environments and water preservation). Projects should be completed within 24 months. The next application deadline is 28 February 2025 for grants between £2,000 and £20,000. Additionally, the Core Cost Funding stream, supporting essential running costs, is scheduled to reopen in May 2025.
Grants for Ecological Outreach Projects (UK)
Individuals and organisations such as schools, museums, libraries and community groups can apply to the British Ecological Society for grants of up to £2,000 to promote ecological science to a wide audience. The Outreach and Engagement Grants programme funds activities that engage public audiences in innovative and creative ways, and enhances the skills of others in communicating ecology to public audiences. Applications from museums and schools are welcome but projects must involve significant outreach beyond schools. Projects aimed solely at delivering curriculum to school children will not be considered. The grant may be used as part-funding for larger projects involving other sponsors. The closing date for applications is 1 March 2025.
The British Ecological Society Offers £30,000 Synthesis Grants to Boost Ecological Research Collaboration (International)
The British Ecological Society (BES) has announced its Synthesis Grants programme, offering up to £30,000 over two years for groups of 8-15 participants. This grant aims to support interdisciplinary teams in analysing existing data and generating new insights into ecological research. The programme encourages collaboration across universities, research institutes, NGOs, industry, and government departments, with a focus on fostering diverse groups that include international participation and at least 30% of members from the Global South. The grant is open to BES members as the main applicant, although not all group members need to be BES members. The purpose of the grant is to promote synthesis as a growing scientific research method, where scientists generate new knowledge from existing data using a hypothesis and question-led approach. The first funding round closes on 10 March 2025, while the second round opens on 12 June and closes on 8 September 2025.
Funding Available for Urban Nature Projects (UK)
Grants of up to £2,000 are available to community, youth and voluntary groups from across the UK that want to bring local people together to transform urban areas by sowing and growing UK native wildflowers and/or plants. Successful groups will receive their Community Grant funding in April and projects need to be completed by the end of October 2025. The closing date for applications is 3pm on 13 February 2025.
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 to provide, maintain, or improve community facilities, including nature reserves, public gardens, parks, country parks and woodlands. 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. The maximum total project cost is £500,000. The next application closing date is 5pm on 19 February 2025.