BES Facebook pagePublic Engagement Grant
The British Ecological Society encourages members and others to engage the public with ecology. To this end, we offer Public Engagement Grants of up to £2000.
Ecology
The Society defines ecology as the scientific study of the distribution, abundance and dynamics of organisms, their interactions with other organisms and their physical environment. It is therefore essential that applications promote and engage the public with the science of ecology. Grants will not be awarded for strictly nature conservation or any activity that does not promote the science of ecology.
Objectives
To support projects that:
- Increase public understanding of, and engagement with, ecology
- Stimulate discussion about ecology and its implications for society
- Inspire and enthuse people about ecology, especially those not previously interested
- Develop skills in communicating the science of ecology
Eligibility
Awards are open to individuals and organisations to organise public engagement events in ecology. This includes, but is not limited to, members of the BES, researchers, schools, museums, libraries and community groups.
Value
The maximum award is £2000. However, the award may be used as part-funding for larger projects involving other sponsors.
Grants will not be awarded to cover:
- Staff salaries
- Purchase of apparatus, including computers, cameras etc., unless these are integral to the application
Applications from museums and schools are welcome but projects must involve significant outreach beyond schools. Projects aimed solely at school children and/or at delivering curriculum will not be considered.
Criteria
Applications will be judged against the following criteria and need to demonstrate:
- Consistency with at least 2 of the grant's objectives
- Awareness of public interest and concerns including the relevance of the project to the target audience(s)
- Exploration of ecological concepts and issues, rather than simply providing information
- Clear objectives for the project and its potential impact
- Evidence of appropriate means of publicity to reach the target audience
- Clear plans and resources to assess the impact and legacy of the project
- Realistic costing and evidence that any shortfall in funding not covered by the Society's award, or by other organizations, can be covered by the applicant
- Realistic assessment of practical issues such as copyright, insurance and health and safety
- Whether the activity depends on Society funding or that Society funding will add a significant element
To Apply
Please complete the Public Engagement Grant Application Form and the Ethnic and Gender Monitoring Form and submit them electronically to Grants@britishecologicalsociety.org
The next Public Engagement Grant application deadline:
15th of January (Grants are given annually)
Successful applicants
Final reports including summary of feedback should be sent to the BES within three months of the event. Copies of promotional material and any press cuttings should be included in the final report.
Sections of the application and final report may be made public on our website.
Recipients of grants are required to acknowledge the British Ecological Society on all of their promotional materials. The BES logo will be sent to all successful applicants.
Judging criteria
Grant Award
The maximum single award is £2000. However, the award may be used as part-funding for larger projects involving other sponsors. Grants will not be awarded to cover staff salaries or purchase of general apparatus, including computers, cameras etc, unless it is shown to be integral to the application.
£3,000 is available in total in 2012.
Criteria
Applications will be judged against, and must provide evidence of meeting, the following criteria:
Consistency with at least 2 of the grant's objectives, as well as promoting the science of ecology
- Increase public understanding of, and engagement with, ecology
- Stimulate discussion about ecology and its implications for society
- Inspire and enthuse people about ecology, especially those not previously interested
- Develop skills in communicating the science of ecology
Grants will not be awarded for purely nature conservation, or any activity that does not promote the science of ecology.
Quality of proposal
- Awareness of public interest and concerns including the relevance of the project to the target audience(s)
- Exploration of ecological concepts and issues, rather than simply providing information
Likelihood of impact
- Clear objectives for the project and its potential impact
- Evidence of appropriate means of publicity to reach the target audience
- Clear plans and resources to assess the impact and legacy of the project
- Projects with plans for longer term follow up will be prioritised
Feasibility
- Realistic costing and evidence that any shortfall in funding not covered by the Society's award or by other organisations can be covered by the applicant
- Realistic assessment of practical issues such as copyright, insurance and health and safety
- Whether the activity depends on Society funding or that Society funding will add a significant element of support
