What we will and will not fund

What we will fund

For projects that support our funding priorities, we normally pay up to 50% of total project costs. We may offer more for some projects if we consider them to be a high priority.

We are happy to fund a range of costs to help you deliver your project activities. However, there are some activities that we will not fund. Please see our 'Project Costs'   guidance for further information on what we will and will not fund.

You should read this guidance before completing your application. If you are unsure about any of your project costs, please get in touch with your local Scottish Natural Heritage office or email grants@snh.gov.uk.

We will not give grants for:

• Projects that don't support our funding priorities
• Work that has already started
• Routine and recurring activities undertaken by Scottish local authorities, including schools
• Activities that qualify for funding from the Scotland Rural Development Programme  .  Please see our 'SRDP and Scottish Natural Heritage grant' page for further information. Please note, we will consider match funding LEADER projects
• Please see our When we will not give grants  guidance for further information.

Match funding

We are able to match fund with a variety of funders. This includes (but is not restricted to) Lottery funding such as Heritage Lottery Fund or Big Lottery Fund, EU funding such as LIFE+ and ERDF, government funded schemes such as LEADER and landfill tax related schemes, and funding from trusts and charities.

Our Other sources of funding page will give you information about other funders, who and what they fund and links to their funding scheme information. We recommend that you get in touch with other funders directly to discuss possible match funding for your project.

It is not a requirement that all match funding must be secured before you submit your grant application but you should aim to have match funding secured by the time your project starts.

Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund, Forestry Commission Scotland

We've combined our funds with those of Forestry Commission Scotland to provide the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund. As a result we are not able to match-fund applications.

The Development Fund supports projects that will make the central belt a more attractive place to live, work and visit. To find out more about the Development Fund and how to apply please visit the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund page  on the Forestry Commission Scotland website.