SL Shutterstock 127362263 Cave With Lake

Funding Opportunities

Find out how we can support your activities with a grant or bursary

Grants and bursaries

The Geological Society has various funds and grants for a range of activities including research, professional development, and public engagement. Explore the sections below to find information about the various funding opportunities and their deadlines, as well as eligibility criteria and application guidance.  

If you have any questions regarding Society funding opportunities please contact grants@geolsoc.org.uk

Wikimedia Commons Thin Section Scan Crossed Polarizers Siilinjärvi R636 105.90 Edit

Undergraduate Grants

Up to £1250 financial support for undergraduate students to conduct research

Find out more
Research Grants Hero Image

Professional Development

Up to £2000 to assist early career geologists, particularly those in industry, with professional development

Find out more
Shutterstock 1958468266

Research Grants

Up to £4000 to support geoscientists conducting original research

Find out more
DSCF5759

Outreach Grants

Up to £1500 to support development of activities that seek to promote awareness of geoscience topics and understanding of the Earth with varied non-specialist audiences

Find out more
Fermor Portrait Crop

Fermor Seed Corn Grants

Up to £100,000 seed funding for individuals who are unable to apply for traditional research funding awards

Find out more
Looking down on a group of children sitting at a rectangular table working on activities with paper, scissors and crayons

Outreach Small Grants

Up to £250 to support individuals to develop their skills in public engagement, trial a novel concept in outreach, or test an activity with new audiences

Find out more

In addition to the Society’s centrally managed funds, there are also a wide range of other funding opportunities from the Society’s Specialist Groups as well as our partner organisations.  

The Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group welcomes applications for travel funding (up to £750) from doctoral researchers who wish to present their work at a national or international conference/workshop (either as virtual or in-person attendance), carry out fieldwork for their research, or travel to use laboratory facilities in the UK or overseas (please note only travel costs are eligible, not instrument time or bench fees).

Further details

A fieldwork award available to Early Career Researchers (postgraduate student, postdoctoral researcher or non-permanent university lecturer) who is looking to undertake volcanic and magmatic fieldwork- with a single award of up to £750 available each calendar year.

Further details

The Geochemistry Group welcomes applications from researchers registered at UK and Irish universities or research institutions to facilitate the presentation of their geochemistry-related research at a meeting hosted online, within the UK or internationally.

Further details

The MSG offers generous student and early career bursaries once per year to help students attend conferences and workshops.

Further details

The Near Surface Geophysics Group provides support for students undertaking a near-surface geophysical survey as part of a postgraduate (MSc, MRes or PhD) research project at a UK institute of further education. 

Further details

Do you want to contribute to a grants panel or review?

Are you interested in research funding awards and would like to learn more as part of our grants panel and review process?

You are invited to submit your expression of interest to sit on the pool of Fellows that we call upon to support our grant activity. You will work alongside other experienced Fellows and Society staff. The time requirement can vary depending on the number of applications received, but is typically around eight hours per round.

Please submit an expression of interest (no more than 300 words), including details of current position and area of expertise, via email to grants@geolsoc.org.uk.

Expressions will be carried forward for a three-year period unless you indicate otherwise. Expressions of interest from Early Career Researchers are warmly welcomed.