Grants and Awards

The following is a list of awards that may interest teachers, with brief descriptions and a link to the relevant section of the BES web page, which describes how to apply.

Coalbourn Education Grants

These support a team of young people under the leadership of their teacher or other appropriate adult to undertake some ecological research which provides them with a worthwhile educational experience with a clear scientific ecological purpose. This could involve an expedition travelling away from home or it could be for a project carried out near where the students live. Here the focus is on the pupils although the role of the teacher is very important. It is important that the pupils get a good educational experience whilst doing something ecologically worthwhile.

Read a case study as an example of a suitable project.
Find out how to apply.

Education Innovation and Research Grants

These support a project where a teacher develops a new approach to communicating ecology. This normally involves young people either directly or indirectly although the focus is on the teacher and on the educational value of the project itself. Projects must be ecological, and educational and innovative in order to qualify. These grants are not just to enable a school to create a pond or nature area - unless you can show that there is something innovative about it.

Find out how to apply

Expedition grants

These are normally awarded to groups of undergraduates carrying out a project overseas which they organise themselves (usually with some help from their mentors). The focus is on what the students do and involves a blend of good educational experience, good ecology, good planning, some originality and some intrepid adventurousness. There is no reason why a school expedition organised by adventurous pupils should not apply although it will be considered by exactly the same criteria as an undergraduate one (except that a school expedition could be within the UK and must have appropriate adult supervision from a safety point of view). An expedition where the teacher plans and leads it is not normally successful in this type of award. School expeditions fit more readily into the Coalbourn Education or perhaps the Educational Innovation and Research categories.

Find out how to apply

Small Ecological Project Grants

Small Ecological Project Grants support someone, who could be a teacher, to undertake some serious academic ecological research which may or may not involve a school or pupils. These grants are administered by PAC (Public Affairs Committee) and most support small ecological research projects carried out by University members of staff but there is no reason why they should not help an ecologist who has gone into teaching to maintain a research interest in his or her spare time. The focus is on the scientific research value of what the teacher is doing and is judged by exactly the same criteria as would be used for a University lecturer. This could be your chance to enjoy ecology without your pupils although, on the other hand, they might find it enriching to play some part in your project.

Find out how to apply

Grants to enable teachers to attend the Society's annual conference

This provides support for teachers who cannot get financial support from their employers. The BES recognises that school teachers are much less likely to get such support than might a University lecturer. Many ecologists who toil at the chalk face do not seem to realise that they could get at least a substantial part of their expenses to attend the Winter Meeting, TCEG meetings (including big events like LifeScience 2000 or small ones like members weekend get togethers) or other BES symposia.

Find out how to apply

Grants to pay expenses of ecological speakers at meetings of student societies

These could pay the travelling expenses of a speaker coming to speak to your sixth form particularly for a celebrity lecture to a large audience. We might also be able to help you to find a suitable speaker.

Find out how to apply