Grants & Awards

funding for soil science

Grants and awards

As part of our Charitable aims, we provide a number of grants and awards each year which promote research and education across all soil science disciplines.

Potential applicants should review our guidelines and eligibility criteria and terms and conditions before submitting their application.

All grant applications will be reviewed without bias, and personal details and location will be redacted.

The Grant and Awards Committee meets quarterly to review all grant applications. In 2025, the scheduled meeting dates are: 17 March, 09 June, 02 September and 10 November

To ensure your application is considered, please submit it at least one week before the relevant meeting date to allow sufficient time for review.

Click the links below for the relevant grant:

Brain Chambers Soil Fund | Early Career Conference Grant | David S Jenkinson Knowledge Exchange Grant | Teaching Soil Science Grant | HRH Duke of Gloucester Overseas Travel Grant

Fund: up to £2,500

Brian Chambers Soils Fund

The Brian Chambers Soils Fund was established to provide grants to help fund the learning and development costs of Early Career members.

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis and applicants will be notified of the outcome within 28 days of the review. As there are limited funds, applicants are encouraged to apply earlier in the year to ensure funds are available.

Please note that applications to attend the BSSS Soil Judging Competition will be considered under the BCSF Grant, with funding available up to a maximum of £250 per applicant.

Apply Now

Grant: Up to £500

Early Career Conference Grant

Up to £500 is available to Early Career members to help fund attendance at conferences applicable to their area of research.

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis and applicants will be notified of the outcome within 28 days of the review. As there are limited funds, applicants are encouraged to apply earlier in the year to ensure funds are available.

Please note that applications to attend Eurosoil 2025 will be prioritised.

Applications to attend the BSSS Annual Conference or Early Careers’ Conference, which are already subsidised for Early Career members, will not be considered.

Apply Now

Grant: Up to £5,000

David S Jenkinson Knowledge Exchange Grant

Celebrating the research of Dr David S Jenkinson FRS, up to £5,000 is available to support Early Career postdoctoral members from the UK to travel to and collaborate with an overseas organisation.

Dr Jenkinson was one of the most influential soil scientists of his generation, bringing new insights into the transformations of organic matter and nitrogen in soil. The purpose of this grant is to support early career soil scientists in furthering their academic endeavours with support for international research visits from the UK to a collaborating organisation in an area of soil science that reflects the diverse interests of David’s own research.

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis and applicants will be notified of the outcome within 28 days of the review. As there are limited funds, applicants are encouraged to apply earlier in the year to ensure funds are available.

Apply Now

Grant: Up to £1000

Teaching Soil Science Grant

Up to £1000 is available to encourage primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions or organisations delivering soil science education within the United Kingdom.

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis and applicants will be notified of the outcome within 28 days of the review. As there are limited funds, applicants are encouraged to apply earlier in the year to ensure funds are available.

APPLY HERE

Grant: Up to £2,000

HRH Duke of Gloucester Overseas Travel Grant

To celebrate the patronage of His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, who in his role as Patron supported the Society for 8 years, we are excited to announce a new grant named in his honour. This grant aimed to support applicants from low-middle income countries, provides an ideal opportunity to highlight the importance of nurturing our soils and the collaboration across countries for the benefit of human society.

BSSS is sponsoring a grant of up to £2,000 to eligible researchers, scientists, and professionals with a keen interest in soils, and conducting their main activity in one of the low to middle income countries. Proposals will be assessed based on the expected impact of the project for the host country/ies and not on their scientific novelty.

BSSS strongly believes that overcoming the climate and biodiversity crises requires actions which cross country borders in order for real impact to be realised. To help achieve this, the Society is proud to introduce an annual Duke of Gloucester Overseas Collaboration Grant aimed at funding soil-focused research projects and knowledge transfer activities across these countries.

If you would like to apply, please download the application form and send to admin@soils.org.uk

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis and applicants will be notified of the outcome within 28 days of the review. As there are limited funds, applicants are encouraged to apply earlier in the year to ensure funds are available.

User Guide

Application Form

Marking Guide