Endowment Fund research grants

How is an SOC Research Grant financed?

SOC Research Grants are financed via the SOC Endowment Fund.

What is the SOC Endowment Fund and its objectives?

The SOC Endowment Fund was established from gifts and bequests in 1966 with the specific purpose of supporting 'the advancement of ornithology'. It has been a valuable source of grant aid to many individuals and groups in support of ornithological fieldwork. The principal objectives of the fund are:

• to support studies to further the knowledge of the birds of Scotland.
• to contribute to the conservation of the birds of Scotland.

Who is eligible to apply for a Research Grant?

Grants from the Endowment Fund are available only for amateur projects - PhD and other student research projects will not be supported. While priority will be given to SOC members, applications will be considered from any individual or group. SOC Branches can also apply to the fund. Applicants must state whether or not they have applied for, or intend to apply for or have received, grant aid from other sources as this may be taken into consideration in determining the level of grant awarded.

What type of projects will be supported?

Projects must relate to the study of Scottish birds and will be assessed according to their ornithological merit and the likelihood of their objectives being fulfilled. The Fund is seen as being of particular value towards meeting reasonable extra costs such as travel and/or accommodation incurred while undertaking research, as well as the purchase of appropriate equipment, especially for groups. The purchase of rings will be supported only if sufficient funds are available and dependent upon the particular worth of the project. The Fund will not support time and only in very exceptional circumstances will the purchase of computer hardware/software or computing equipment for an individual be supported.

What is the level of grant aid?

The total amount of money available from the Fund varies each year, usually between £1500 and £2500, and in most years the requests for grants exceed the amount available. However, there is no upper limit applied to grant awards. Each application will be considered on its merits and the level of grant aid awarded will be dependent upon the funds available, balanced against other worthy applications.

Can grants be awarded to a project for more than 1 year?

Grants for no more than 3 years can be awarded to encourage longer-term projects. The amount of grant aid awarded for 2 or 3 year grants will be fixed over the 2 or 3 year period but payment of 2nd and 3rd years' grants will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory annual progress reports (to be submitted by 31 December of the year prior to renewal) and a request for continuation of the grant. For 2 or 3 year projects, two-thirds of the annual amount will be awarded in advance each year, with the remainder to be awarded at the end of the project and following submission of a report on the project. For single-year projects, two thirds of the grant will be awarded in advance, with the outstanding one third to be awarded on receipt of a report on the project. Applicants can reapply for their project on an annual basis when the level of grant aid will be dependent upon the number and value of other projects that year.

When to apply?

Applications should be submitted to the SOC Office Manager by 31st January. The projects will then be considered by the Research & Surveys Committee and recommendations made to Council. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application shortly thereafter, normally in March.

Conditions attached to Grants awarded from the Endowment Fund

These conditions are intended to safeguard the interests of the SOC in awarding grant aid:

• A short report on the project results to be submitted to the SOC Office Manager by the end of DECEMBER in the year of the grant award otherwise further grants may be withheld.
• Applicants are encouraged to publish their findings in Scottish Bird News or Scottish Birds or another journal. In any event a brief summary of each project, prepared by the applicant, will be published in SBN or SB.
• All project reports will be deposited in SOC Library.
• Any publications relating to the project results should state that a contribution towards costs was obtained via an SOC Research Grant.
• The grant must be used for the purpose stated on the application form.
• Grant recipients are required to follow the legislation on access as stated within The Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Recipients are also required to follow any conditions imposed by licensing authorities such as SNH. Any ringing activities conducted by recipients should follow the permission protocol outlined in the current edition of The Ringers' Manual (for the 2001 edition, ch.5). It is recommended that all permissions be acknowledged in reports and papers.
• The grant must be returned to the Club if it is not used by the applicant for the specific project.
• Neither the Research & Surveys Committee, nor the SOC, takes any responsibility or liability for any actions and consequential results from the activities of a grant recipient while engaged in activities supported by an SOC Research Grant.

How to apply?

A completed application form should be send to the SOC Office Manager at Waterston House by 31st January.

application form (Microsoft Word version to save and email to the SOC)

application form (PDF version to print and post)

Previous awards

Some past awards are listed on the surveys page.