British Mycological Society

British Mycological Society is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 276503).

The British Mycological Society is a charity registered in England and Wales, with objects to promote mycology in all its aspects by supporting scientific research, conservation, publications, meetings, workshops, education and related activities. Its grants cover research, training, meeting and conference participation, educational projects and outreach. The annual report records £67,609 awarded in total, which may include grants to individuals, though the register does not confirm that scale. Research Grants of up to £10,000 are available, and the Massee Arts Grant provides an annual fund of £10,000 for individual projects of up to £5,000 each.

Priority Areas

The Society’s grants support mycology through research, training and scientific meeting participation, alongside educational projects and outreach. Research awards support doctoral students, early-career researchers and principal investigators in research and training. Small Grants support mycological research, education, recording, conservation and the promotion of mycology, and members may apply individually or on behalf of a group. Other programmes support postgraduate research visits, seminar talks and events sharing mycological knowledge, as well as artistic projects that engage all sectors of society with fungi. Event applicants must be the main organiser or serve on the organising committee; some awards require BMS membership, while others do not. Research Grant applicants must be members employed at a university or research institute in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, whereas Massee Arts Grant artists may be from any geographic location.

Themes

• Fungal biology research
• Research training
• Scientific meeting participation
• Mycology education and outreach
• Fungal recording
• Fungal conservation
• Fungal arts

Geographic Focus

United Kingdom; Republic of Ireland.

For the Small Grant, members submit the online application form; undergraduate or postgraduate student applicants must provide their supervisor's name and a supporting statement.

Deadlines:

• The annual application window opens on 1 January and closes on 31 March.
• Small Grant applications close on 20 March, 20 June, 20 September and 14 December each year.
• Small Grant applications must be submitted at least three months before the activity, meeting or project.
• Event Sponsorship Grant applications have deadlines on 31 May and 30 November.
• UK Fungus Day Grant applications open on 1 June and close on 25 September.

Application windows:

• Small Grant: Deadlines are 20 March, 20 June, 20 September and 14 December

Who can apply:

• Massee Arts Grant
  • The Massee Arts Grant is open to artists from all disciplines and all geographic locations who can help us meet our objectives to: encourage all sectors of society to engage in and learn about the wonderful world of fungi; promote fungal science to a wide audience; provide an ongoing legacy that supports public engagement with fungal science.
  • Applicants may apply for only one award within a 24-month period. Previous award winners may not apply for the following two years.
• Small Grant: Small Grants are available to all members of the Society. Members can apply either as individuals or on behalf of a group (for example a BMS-affiliated local fungus group). All applicants must have held BMS membership for at least 6 months immediately prior to application.

What to send:

• Research Grant
  • Summary of recent and current employment history
  • Details of current and recent funding awards (within the past 5 years)
  • Details of recent publications (up to 5)
  • If the applicant is a post-doctoral scientist, a supporting statement from the supervisor is required.
  • A completed and signed Terms & Conditions form
• Small Grant
  • For applications related to conference/meeting attendance: evidence of the applicant's acceptance as a speaker or poster presenter must be sent to the BMS as soon as it is available.
  • If the applicant is an Undergraduate or Postgraduate student, the Supervisor's name and a statement supporting the application is required.

Applying again: Small Grant: Applicants can only be awarded one Small Grant in any 12-month period.

What the charity says:

• Small Grant applicants should show how the funded activity benefits mycology beyond the benefit to the individual applicant.
• Small Grant applicants receive special consideration when they have actively sought other supporting funds and provide evidence of this.
• Small Grant applications are assessed by a panel of BMS Council Members.
• Small Grant awardees must provide a short report for a general readership explaining how the activity supports fungal science.
• Massee Arts Grant applications are assessed by experts from the art and mycology sectors.
• Massee Arts Grant awardees must report project outcomes, impact, reach and target-audience engagement.