RHS Bursaries Application Form
Application Guidance Notes
1.
Who can apply?

Professional and student gardeners/horticulturists

Plant and soil scientists

Botanists

Arboriculturists

Landscapers

Botanical artists

Other related professionals

Serious amateur gardeners

British & Irish institutions, colleges, charities and gardens open to the public
2.
Where can the project take place?
Not everyone is able to undertake a bursary funded project anywhere in the world.
Individual Applicants
-
British & Irish Citizens (i.e. holders of either a British or Irish passport) may apply for
a bursary to undertake a horticultural project anywhere in the world.
-
Other passport holders, resident as students or in employment (for a minimum of
two years) in Britain or Ireland might also be considered for a bursary to undertake a
project anywhere in the world, if their proposal is considered appropriate and
advantageous to their horticultural development.
-
All others may apply for a bursary, but only for horticultural projects undertaken in the
United Kingdom or Ireland.
Organisation Applicants
British & Irish institutions, charities, and gardens open to the public may apply
for a bursary to undertake a horticultural project anywhere in the world.
-
All others may apply for a bursary but only for horticultural projects undertaken in the
United Kingdom or Ireland.
(Above references to Britain/British encompass: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern
Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey and the British Overseas Territories.)
3.
Which projects can receive funding?
Only projects with a very clear relevance to horticulture are eligible to be considered for a
bursary. They include, but are not limited to:







Expeditions for plant exploration and collection
Study tours to see plants in their native habitats
Voluntary Work Placements in leading botanic and historic gardens
Conference attendance and participation
Traineeship; (one year paid) at a UK garden open to the public
Botanical artwork; painting or drawing plants in their natural habitats or exhibiting at
an RHS Show
Other: Taxonomy; Research; Educational; any other with a clear relevance to
horticulture
4.
What can a bursary be used for?
Funding, obtained via a bursary can be used to cover, or contribute towards the costs of:

Travel

Accommodation

Food

Essential equipment costs (where reasonable)

Administration (e.g. obtaining health insurance, travel visa, CITES/collecting permits)

Other (e.g. costs of a driver, or an interpreter)

Obtaining high quality plant labelling

Recording collections

Supporting the publication (at the Committee’s discretion) of specialist, small circulation
horticultural books
Funding is not given for the following:

To cover salaries

Paying of household expenses (e.g. utility bills)

Infrastructure (e.g. poly-tunnels, pergolas, buildings)

Commercial enterprises

Courses which lead to a qualification or accreditation

Costs related to undertaking a course (e.g. purchasing of books and materials)
5.
How do you apply?
Please submit a completed application form together with all the accompanying documentation
by the appropriate closing date. Projects under way at the time the Committee meeting is held
will not be eligible for consideration.
Application closing
date
15 December
31 March
30 June
30 September
When your application will be
considered by the Committee
February
May
August
November
6.
Do you have to select the bursary fund most appropriate for your intended project?
No, you do not have to do this. On awarding a bursary the RHS Bursaries Committee will select
the most appropriate fund for the proposed project. Your main concerns when considering
whether or not to apply should be: are you are eligible, and is your project is a suitable one?
7.
When will you hear if you have been awarded a bursary?
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within a week of the RHS
Bursaries Committee meeting. If successful, the bursary will be paid out as soon as possible
thereafter.
8.
Are there any obligations on accepting a bursary?
The bursary is offered on condition that within three months from completion of the project, the
RHS Bursaries Manager will receive a detailed written report, which should include a signed
final account of how the bursary has been used. Each year two prizes are awarded at our RHS
Annual Award Ceremony in April: £500 for the highest standard of report writing; and £250 to
the individual who has gained the most from their project. All reports are held in the Library at
Wisley for public reference. Failure to do so may see you barred from making further bursary
applications.
RHS Bursaries are awarded on the understanding that any unspent bursary funds are returned
to the RHS Bursaries Manager as soon as possible following completion of the project. Should
the project be cancelled at any stage, or left uncompleted, you may be required to return all or
part of the bursary awarded unless exceptional circumstances apply as agreed by the RHS
Bursaries Committee.
Contact details: E: [email protected] / T: 01483 479719, RHS Bursaries, RHS Garden
Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
RHS Bursaries Application Form
If you have a disability or special need that requires support,
please contact us.
Checklist:
1.
Completed application form with all sections fully covered and all relevant
details provided.
2.
Two references in support of your application - RHS Bursaries Committee
Members cannot act as referees.
3.
Written confirmation of voluntary work placement.
4.
Written confirmation of invitations or meetings arranged with experts or
other individuals as part of your project.
5.
Conference/Guided Tour programme.
6.
Evidence that you have consulted at least two horticultural experts
regarding your proposed project.
7.
Documentary evidence (receipts/internet printouts) to support the costs
quoted. It is acceptable to provide estimated costs where for example flight
tickets have not yet been purchased. Applicants are expected to provide
the cheapest quote available.
8.
Copy of permits – or a note detailing when these will be made available to
you.
9.
Copy of travel visa.
10.
Copy of approved leave of absence.
11.
Written confirmation of whether or not you have obtained other
grants/financial contributions.
12.
Any other relevant information/documentation.
NB:
Travel to restricted, or potentially dangerous areas - careful
consideration must be given where travel to such areas features in a
proposal. Applicants must satisfy the Committee on the advisability of, and
preparation for, travel to such areas.
NB:
Prior to submitting your application, you are recommended to approach
someone who has previously received a bursary and can therefore advise
you on how best to complete it. If you do not know anyone who has received
a bursary please contact [email protected]
If you are applying as an individual or on behalf of a group of individuals please complete Form A. If you are
applying on behalf of an organisation please complete Form B.
FORM A – INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS
1. PERSONAL DETAILS – INDIVIDUAL/GROUP REPRESENTATIVE
Surname:
First Names:
Title:
Nationality:
Occupation:
D.O.B:
Address for correspondence (including postcode):
Tel No:
E-mail:
For Group Applications only - Name and Job Title of all participants:
2. DURATION
Start Date:
Completion Date:
3. PROPOSED PROJECT (Brief Summary)
4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF PROJECT (Bullet Points)
- What will you achieve and how will you do this?
- How will you share the knowledge and experience gained from this project?
5. CONSULTATION (Please provide names, job titles, and addresses of at least two experienced
persons consulted about your proposed project)
If you are an RHS, RBGK, or RBGE employee please confirm that you have shown and discussed your
application, prior to submission, to the representative of your organisation who sits on the Committee.
RHS Director of Horticulture
RBGK Head of Arboretum
RBGE Director of Horticulture
6. DETAILED ITINERARY and/or DETAILS OF WORK PLACEMENT/CONFERENCE
7. RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS & HORTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE (CVs of all Group Applicants to be
attached)
8. Referee Details
It is your responsibility to obtain both references, one of which must be from your current employer/academic tutor
REFEREE 1
REFEREE 2
Name:
Job Title:
Contact Details:
Name:
Job Title:
Contact Details:
and
9. SUMMARY OF COSTS
Column for office
use only
a) Travel
Air Fare
£
Bus/Train
£
Car hire
£
Mileage: ……….. @ 25p per mile
£
Total Travel Costs
£
£
b) Administration
Insurance
£
Visa
£
Permits
£
Total Administration Costs
£
£
c) Subsistence
Accommodation
Food/stores
£
£………. per day for ………….days
Total Subsistence Costs
£
£
£
d) Essential equipment
£
£
Total Equipment Costs
£
£
Total Other Costs
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
e) Other Costs (e.g. support staff)
f) TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS = (a+b+c+d+e)
g) CONFIRMED OTHER GRANTS/CONTRIBUTIONS
h) PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION
i) RHS BURSARY AWARD SOUGHT
(f minus(g+h))
10. PERMITS/INSURANCE/LICENCES
Is a passport required?
Is a driving licence required?
Yes
Yes
No
Already obtained
In process
No
Already obtained
In process
Is a travel visa required?
Are CITES permits needed?
Yes
Yes
No
Already obtained
In process
No
Already obtained
In process
Do you need a work permit?
Are other collecting permits needed?
Yes
Yes
No
Already obtained
In process
No
Already obtained
In process
Will you require health insurance?
Do you have the necessary leave of absence?
Yes
Yes
No
Already obtained
In process
No
Not applicable
In process
11. GRANTS/FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS – where applicable you are strongly recommended to seek
additional sources of funding and not to rely solely on RHS Bursaries to cover the entire cost of your project.
Name of Organisation:
Amount Requested: £
Successful?
Yes
No
Awaiting Response
Successful?
Yes
No
Awaiting Response
Successful?
Yes
No
Awaiting Response
Name of Organisation:
Amount Requested: £
Name of Organisation:
Amount Requested: £
12. DECLARATION
I confirm that the information given on this form and in supporting papers is, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, true and accurate. I understand that if I have given misleading information on this form, this will be
sufficient grounds for cancelling my application. If the application for a bursary is successful, I undertake to fulfil
the obligations set out in the ‘Application Guidance Notes’ accompanying this form. I agree that the RHS may
use material contained in my report for publicity purposes, (including publication on the RHS website) and also
consent to the use of material for publicity purposes by RHS bursary funders.
By submitting this form, you indicate your consent to the RHS using the information provided to process your
application. Your application may be shared with other grant giving bodies and/or donors who may separately
consider funding your application. If you do not wish your application to be shared please tick this box
. The
RHS respects your privacy and will never sell your data to any third party.
The granting of an RHS Bursary conveys no responsibility for the welfare of a bursary applicant.
Signature:
Date:
Where did you hear about RHS Bursaries?
Are you an RHS Member? Yes
No
The Royal Horticultural Society
Registered charity no. 222879/SC038262
www.rhs.org.uk
FORM B - ORGANISATIONS
1. APPLICANT ORGANISATION
Name:
Address for correspondence (including postcode):
Purpose/Nature of business:
2. REPRESENTATIVE MAKING THIS APPLICATION
Title and name:
Address for correspondence (including post code):
Tel No:
Fax No:
Email:
Position held:
3. PROPOSED PROJECT (Brief Summary)
Please attach a detailed plan of action of how the project will be carried out.
4.
DURATION
Start Date:
Completion Date:
5. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (What is hoped to be achieved by this project? And what are its perceived benefits
to horticulture?)
6. Referee Details It is your responsibility to obtain both references. These must be two people not directly connected
with the project who are able to vouch for its horticultural relevance and worth.
REFEREE 1
REFEREE 2
Name:
Name:
Job Title:
Job Title:
Contact Details:
Contact Details:
If you are an RHS, RBGK, or RBGE employee submitting this application on behalf of your
department/organisation, please confirm that you have shown and discussed the application, prior to
submission, to the representative of your organisation who sits on the Committee
RHS Director of Horticulture
RBGK Head of Arboretum
RBGE Director of Horticulture
7. SUMMARY OF COSTS
Total Costs:
(a) Contractor
£
(b) Consulting
£
(c) Plants/Materials
£
(d) Administration
£
(e) Essential equipment
£
(f) Specialist services
£
(g) Other sources of finance
£
Total Estimated Costs
£
(i)
Other Sources of Finance
£
(j)
RHS BURSARY AWARD SOUGHT (h minus i)
£
(h)
8. GRANTS/FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Name of Organisation:
Amount Requested: £
Successful?
Yes
No
Awaiting Response
Successful?
Yes
No
Awaiting Response
Name of Organisation:
Amount Requested: £
9. DECLARATION
I confirm that the information given on this form and in supporting papers is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true
and accurate. I understand that if I have given misleading information on this form, this will be sufficient grounds for
cancelling my application. If the application for a bursary is successful, I undertake to fulfil the obligations set out in the
‘Application Guidance Notes’ accompanying this form. I agree that the RHS may use material contained in my report for
publicity purposes, (including publication on the RHS website) and also consent to the use of material for publicity
purposes by RHS bursary funders.
By submitting this form, you indicate your consent to the RHS using the information provided to process your application.
Your application may be shared with other grant giving bodies and/or donors who may separately consider funding your
application. If you do not wish your application to be shared please tick this box
. The RHS respects your privacy and
will never sell your data to any third party.
The granting of an RHS Bursary conveys no responsibility for the welfare of a bursary applicant.
Signature:
Date:
Where did you hear about RHS Bursaries?
Are you an RHS Member? Yes
No
The Royal Horticultural Society
Registered charity no. 222879/SC038262
www.rhs.org.uk