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Red squirrel - Joel Ireland

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Red Squirrel Recovery Network Community Grants Scheme

Guidance Notes for Grant Applicants

Introduction to Red Squirrel Recovery Network

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund (TNLHF), the Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN) is an ambitious five-year cross-border programme (2025–2030) working to prevent the extinction of the UK’s native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). It brings together conservation partners, scientific researchers and more than 50 volunteer groups across southern Scotland and northern England.

The main project activities include:

Grey Squirrel Fertility Control Research

  • Developing and trialling large-scale fertility control methods for grey squirrels.
  • Field trials planned during the delivery phase (e.g., testing mechanisms by 2028).

Monitoring & Data Collection

  • Annual Spring Monitoring Programme.
  • Baseline data on squirrel distribution, grey squirrel activity, and volunteer demographics.

Community Engagement

  • Recruiting and supporting volunteers across the region.
  • Public awareness campaigns, such as the “Don’t be Shy” campaign.
  • Community grants for local conservation projects.

Cross-Border Collaboration

  • Coordinated conservation across Northern England and Southern Scotland.
  • Shared data and unified strategies for long-term recovery.


Strategic Context

The RSRN complements national efforts such as the England Red Squirrel Recovery Strategy led by the Zoological Society of London and Natural England, which outlines the scientific and policy framework needed for long-term recovery.


Community Grant Scheme Overview

The Community Grants Scheme provides micro grants (under £500) and small grants (£500 to £5,000) to community groups and not-for-profit organisations. Funding is available for projects and activities that help more people connect with red squirrels, raise awareness of their conservation, engage new audiences, improve red squirrel habitats, and promote ecological learning and understanding.

The scheme’s primary aim is to support initiatives that deliver benefits for red squirrels within the Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN) project areas. Applications are welcomed from a wide range of eligible groups and organisations, including those with no previous involvement in red squirrel conservation, not just existing red squirrel volunteer groups.

The scheme has two funding levels:

  • Micro Grants: Up to £500
  • Small Grants: More than £500

There is no maximum amount, but it is unlikely the RSRN Community Grants Scheme will support grants larger than £5,000.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for either funding level, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Location: 1. Location: The project must be located within the Red Squirrel Recovery Network area that covers Northumberland, Cumbria, Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, South Ayrshire and areas of Lancashire/Merseyside which are a priority for red squirrels.

    View project map below
     
  2. Benefit: The project must benefit red squirrel conservation in line with RSRN goals i.e. by allowing more people to experience red squirrels, raising awareness about red squirrels, engaging more people in red squirrel conservation, enhance red squirrel habitat and increasing learning about red squirrels.
  3. Applicant Type: Only not-for-profit organisations or groups are eligible. Applications from public sector organisations, businesses or individuals will not be considered.

Considerations for Red Squirrel Volunteer Groups

Existing red squirrel volunteer groups are eligible to apply for funding to support new activity only. This could include community engagement activities, red squirrel habitat improvements, and volunteer trips (e.g. to visit another group/area or to attend training/conferences not provided by RSRN).

The RSRN Community Grants Scheme is not available for expenses related to grey squirrel control work as equipment for this is already provided through RSRN.

Application Process and Enquiry Contacts

If you are considering applying, please contact your local RSRN Project Officer or Community Engagement Officer to discuss. They will be able to go through the criteria with you and assist in completing the online application, if required.

Please use the Subject Heading: ‘RSRN Community Grant’.

Contact details for each region:

Northumberland
Project Officer: Michael Johnson
Community Engagement Officer: Natasha Hemsley
rsrn@northwt.org.uk

Cumbria
Project Officer: Josh Adams
Community Engagement Officer: Aimee Ellis
redsquirrels@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

South of Scotland
Dumfries & Galloway Project Officer: Caroline Pridham
Scottish Borders, Moffatdale and Eskdale Project Officer: Rachel MacFarlane
contact@restoringuplandnature.co.uk

Bright Green Nature Community Engagement Officer:
admin@brightgreennature.org

Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Nature Recovery Officer: Jack Barton
info@gsabiosphere.org.uk

Lancashire/Merseyside & Knowsley Safari Foundation
Project Officer: Molly Frost
Project Officer: Melissa Wharram
red.squirrel@lancswt.org.uk

Micro Grants (Up to £500)

  1. Application Form: Complete the Micro Grant Application Form, providing detailed information about your project, including objectives, expected outcomes, and how it will benefit red squirrels.
  2. Budget Breakdown: Include a budget breakdown outlining how the grant will be spent.
  3. Submission: Submit the completed application form and budget breakdown online.

Small Grants (More than £500)

  1. Application Form: Complete the Small Grant Application Form with comprehensive details about your project, objectives, expected outcomes, and long-term benefits to red squirrels.
  2. Detailed Budget: Provide a detailed budget, including all projected expenses and funding sources.
  3. Supporting Documents: Attach any relevant supporting documents, such as letters of support, detailed project plans etc.
  4. Submission: Submit the completed application form, detailed budget, and supporting documents online.

Application supporting documentation required for both funding levels:

  • the organisation’s governing document
  • proof of ownership if the project involves work to land, buildings or heritage items (for example, deeds, leases or any information relating to mortgages)
  • copy of recent accounts or last three months of bank statements

 

Apply now

Alternative application methods are available, such as written or video. Please discuss this with your local contact.

Application Deadlines

  • Micro Grants: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed monthly.
  • Small Grants: Applications are reviewed quarterly.

Submission deadlines for Small Grants:

  • Friday 30th October 2026
  • Friday 29th January 2027
  • Friday 30th April 2027
  • Friday 30th July 2027

This scheme will run from October 2026 until the end of February 2030.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  1. Alignment with eligibility criteria: Adherence to location, benefit to red squirrels, and applicant type.
  2. Project impact: The potential impact of the project on red squirrel conservation and/or Red Squirrel Recovery Network goals.
  3. Feasibility: The feasibility of the project plan and budget.
  4. Sustainability: The sustainability of the project's outcomes.

Funding Decisions

  • Applicants will be notified of funding decisions within:

    Micro Grants - 2 weeks of submission date
    Small Grants - 4 weeks of submission deadline
     
  • Successful applicants will be required to sign a grant agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the funding.

Reporting Requirements

  • Micro Grants: A brief report and photographs detailing project outcomes and expenditure must be submitted within 4 weeks of project completion.
  • Small Grants: A detailed report, including a financial summary, photographs and an explanation on the difference that the funding has made, will need to be submitted following project completion – the time frame will be determined depending on the size and duration of the funded activity.

Additional Information

A grants pack will be available to all successful projects. This will include logos, posters, and any other branding information/guidance to accompany your project.

Please note:

Data Sharing

Any species observations must comply with the standards for data quality and accessibility as set out by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) on the NBN Atlas. These observations must be made available to the public on an open licence at capture resolution, subject to sensitive species restrictions. If you are unsure how best to proceed, please contact the NBN directly to discuss the most appropriate data supply route.

Digital works

Digital works include anything created as part of your project in a digital format to provide access to heritage or help people engage with and learn about it. Examples include photographs, text, software, web and app content, databases, 3D models, and audio and video recordings.

All digital outputs created using Community Grant Scheme funding will come under an open licence, which gives upfront permission to access, re-use and share digital outputs as long as the terms of the licence are met. Your digital outputs will include images, research, educational materials, environmental reports, software, web and app content, databases, 3D models, and sound and video recordings.

The licence terms ensure due credit and recognition is given to the organisations and/or individuals responsible for creating the outputs, and to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting the project.

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