Bursaries and awards

Collection Holders are invited to apply for a bursary of up to £500 once per year to help improve their National Plant Collections.

Applications are now OPEN for the 2024 Plant Heritage bursary.

Previous projects have been supported in the areas of:

  • Horticultural training relevant to improving the Collection
  • Capital projects to improve the collection
  • Assistance with improving interpretation for visitors
  • Professional photography, or materials for making herbarium sheets of the Collection
  • Assistance with research to further knowledge of the Collection

Bursary Guidelines

Please read these guidelines to help you make your application for the bursary - the application form can be downloaded here. 

The closing date for applications is the 29th February 2024.

There are many other sources of funding for horticulturalists and collection holders, covering activities including research, study, travel or gaining new skillsThe RHS has a quarterly bursary, which can fund study tours, voluntary work placements, taxonomic research and conference attendance.  They also have bursaries to support botanic art and exhibitors at RHS flower shows. Check the RHS website for details.

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture maintain a compiled list of all the various grants available for horticulturalists - this includes regional grants, plant type specific funds and grants towards research or travel.

eg: plant genus, common name, county, collection holder name.