Rufford Small Grants: £7,000–£18,000 Funding for Nature Conservation Projects
The Rufford Foundation is offering funding opportunities for early-career conservationists working on nature conservation projects in emerging and developing economy countries. Through its Small Grants programme, eligible applicants can receive between £7,000 and £18,000 to support projects focused on the conservation of threatened species.
Unlike many grant programmes, the Rufford Small Grants application process has no fixed deadlines, allowing eligible conservationists to submit applications throughout the year.
About the Rufford Small Grants Programme
The Rufford Foundation supports nature conservation initiatives through a staged funding process. Applicants can progress through different levels of support depending on their circumstances and previous funding history.
The four stages of funding are:
- 1st Rufford Small Grant (1st RSG)
- 2nd Rufford Small Grant (2nd RSG)
- Booster Grant
- Completion Grant
Funding across the programme ranges from £7,000 to £18,000. Applicants can submit their applications at any time of year because there are no application deadlines.
Applicants who are unsuccessful may also re-apply after 12 months, providing another opportunity to seek support for eligible conservation work.
Who Can Apply?
The Rufford Small Grants programme is primarily aimed at individuals who are in the early stages of their conservation careers.
The Foundation particularly focuses on supporting current MSc or PhD students and recent graduates. However, other applicants may also be considered if they meet the additional eligibility requirements.
Undergraduate students are not eligible for funding.
Applicants must also ensure that their proposed project meets the programme’s conservation requirements. The project must have a clear nature conservation focus and be implemented in a country that is eligible under the Rufford Foundation’s criteria.
What Projects Are Eligible?
The Rufford Foundation places particular emphasis on projects involving threatened species. Any species included in the proposed conservation work must meet the Foundation’s criteria for being considered threatened.
This makes the programme particularly relevant to early-career researchers and conservation practitioners working on biodiversity protection, threatened species, habitat conservation and related nature conservation challenges.
Applicants should carefully review the Foundation’s full criteria before preparing their application to ensure that both their project and location meet the requirements.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Successful applicants can receive grants ranging from £7,000 to £18,000, depending on the stage of funding and the nature of the application.
The staged approach allows the Foundation to provide different levels of support as conservationists progress through their projects and develop their conservation careers.
Applicants should therefore consider which Rufford grant category is appropriate for their current circumstances before submitting an application.
How to Apply for a Rufford Small Grant
Applications are submitted online through the Rufford Foundation’s application system.
Applicants should first review the available grant categories and eligibility criteria. They can then create an account and access the online application form.
Because there are no fixed application deadlines, eligible applicants can apply throughout the year. However, applicants should ensure that they have sufficient time to prepare a strong proposal and provide all required information before submitting their application.
Key Details
Programme: Rufford Small Grants
Organisation: Rufford Foundation
Funding: £7,000–£18,000
Project focus: Nature conservation
Target applicants: Early-career conservationists
Eligible countries: Emerging and developing economy countries that meet the Foundation’s criteria
Application deadline: No fixed deadline
Application method: Online
The Rufford Small Grants programme provides an important funding opportunity for early-career conservationists seeking financial support for projects protecting threatened species and biodiversity. With applications accepted throughout the year, eligible researchers and conservation practitioners can prepare their proposals and apply when ready.
