The Bursary Award Scheme

The Scottish Forestry Trust works in partnership with the Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry and Natural Resources Wales, and their predecessor bodies, to support postgraduate research that benefits UK forestry.

Through the Bursary Award Scheme, we provide funding towards PhD and Masters research projects that contribute to the development of the forestry sector.

Preparing your application

Applications to the Bursary Award Scheme are subject to both the Trust's general applicant requirements and the specific criteria of the scheme. Applicants should read both guidance notes carefully before preparing their submission:

General guidance for applicants

Bursary Award Scheme guidance

Once you have reviewed the guidance and discussed your project concept with the Trust, you can complete the Bursary Award Scheme application form.

For projects valued at more than £5,000, a CV for the lead applicant must also be submitted. A CV template is available here.

Match funding requirements

At the time of application, applicants must have formal approval for at least 70% of the total project funding, including the amount requested from the Trust.

Any remaining funding must be formally approved and available to the project within three months of the date of the Trust's formal funding contract. If this condition is not met, the Trust may withdraw its offer of support.

Highlighted Projects

The Scottish Forestry Trust SCIO is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Scottish Charity No. SC053147). The Scottish Forestry Trust was established in 1983 by a gift of share capital, and our role is to provide funds by way of grants, to support research, education and training throughout the UK.  Since our establishment, we have provided nearly £2.7m to fund over 190 projects ranging from supporting post graduate industry applied research, social and environmental forestry, policy formulation and broader public education and awareness.