Bursaries

Since 2009, BRISC and the Glasgow Natural History Society (GNHS) have been offering bursaries for natural history training courses. These bursaries are open to anyone living in Scotland who wants to improve their skills and contribute to biological recording.

In return the recipients of the bursaries are asked to write a short article for BRISC Recorder News, and/or the GNHS Newsletter and undertake a five-minute presentation at the Annual Conference. Examples of past bursaries are available to download.

From 2023 we are pleased to be able to increase our bursary off to £400, up to £100 of which can go towards transport costs, to make it easier to attend courses.

Application deadlines are typically in January each year.

Why are these bursaries important?

Scotland needs more taxonomic experts who can accurately identify species and help new generations carry forward this important work. Such experts are critical to wildlife conservation because we cannot begin to conserve our wildlife unless we know what we have, where it is, and how scarce or common it is. Wildlife recording underpins all conservation efforts.

Expertise in a taxonomic group is gained through study and fieldwork, but it is unfortunately the case that many of our experts are getting older. BRISC would like to ensure that young naturalists are enhancing their skills and experience to provide a continuity of enthusiastic recorders into the future.

BRISC are pleased to be working with our partners in providing bursaries to improve the taxonomic skills of people all over Scotland, and are also especially thankful to our members who have provided donations over the years to support this work.

Grants from other organisations