Geologists' Association

Registered charity 233199 · since 1967geologistsassociation.org.uk·United Kingdom·Updated 30 October 2026

At a glance

£6,550

Annual giving, year to 31 December 2024

From filed accounts

6 weeks

Typical decision time

Open to applications

Fixed application deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

If your work is in geology or earth science, the funder's stated themes of geological publications, conservation, research, education and outreach are the place to start, and its stated geographic focus is the UK.
Grants are normally between £100 and £3,000, and single schemes cap requests at £250 to £1,000, except the Curry Fund at up to £3,000, so a modest, costed request fits best; for the Curry Fund it asks for copies of three quotations for the work.
Choose the scheme first, because each has its own deadline: Curry Fund applications must be received by 20 February, 20 May, 20 August or 20 November, other awards normally close on 31 December, and the charity says it decides within 6 weeks of the deadline.
Some awards are restricted to members, Research Awards are not open to students, and postgraduate work and retrospective costs are excluded, so check your eligibility before you write.
Assessment looks at scientific excellence, financial need and value for money, and the Curry Fund says follow-up funding is not automatic.

Overview

Geologists' Association is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 233199).

The Geologists' Association exists to promote the study of geology and its allied sciences, and since its formation it has aimed to promote the study of geology to all who are interested in the past, present and future of the natural world. The idea for the Association came from a letter proposing 'an Association of Amateur Geologists' so that 'solitary' students of the science could form a society. Through the Curry Fund it makes a number of annual awards that also promote research, alongside its other grants and awards. Grants are normally made for sums between £100 and £3,000, and the annual report gives a total of £6,550 awarded, which may include grants to individuals.

What they fund

Priority Areas

The Geologists’ Association supports geology and earth science through the Curry Fund and its other grants and awards. The Curry Fund backs geological publications, geological conservation and other Council-approved initiatives; support is available to organisations and museums as well as for awards to individuals. Other awards promote research and wide dissemination, while the GA Regional Meetings Grant enables local and affiliated groups to organise regional meetings. Some awards are restricted to members, and only limited funding is open to non-members. Applications are judged on scientific excellence, financial need and value for money. The Association also expects suitable management arrangements for long-term projects.

Themes

Geological publications
Geological conservation
Geological research
Education
Geological outreach

Geographic Focus

The UK.

What they don't fund

Retrospective applications to support activities that will already have occurred prior to the deadline date
The Curry Fund only:
- the normal costs of the Proceedings and the GA Magazine
- the normal administrative costs of the Association
- geological conservation purchases by the parent Association
- expenses of salaried staff (but see Paragraph d below)
- postgraduate work for a higher degree
- school or undergraduate expeditions
- geological research (small grants may be available to GA members, where the research topic falls outside the scope of other grants offered by the Geologists' Association)
- professional fees or expenses involving commitment of funds for more than one year, unless payment is no more than £3,000 over a longer time period
- professional fees or expenses where a grant of more than £1,000 is sought and other funding sources have not been approached to contribute to the overall cost
New Researchers Award only:
- applicants who are not registered for either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a UK university
- applicants who are not a GA Member by the time of application
- applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or a tenured academic position
- applications for radiocarbon dates
Research Awards only:
- students
- members who have not been members of the Geologists’ Association for at least one year
- non-members applying for funding for purposes other than fieldwork
- labour costs or salaried posts
Meetings Award only: non-members; members who have not been members of the Geologists’ Association for at least one year, except student members who are GA members by the time of application
GA Regional Meetings Grant only: applicants other than Local and Affiliated Groups of the GA

How to apply

Curry Fund applications are submitted either by post to the Curry Fund Secretary or by email for the Secretary's attention.

Deadlines:

Curry Fund applications must be received by 20 February, 20 May, 20 August or 20 November each year.
Other GA award deadlines normally fall on 31 December each year.

Application windows:

Curry Fund: Applications must be received by February 20, May 20, August 20 and November 20.
New Researchers’ Scheme: Deadline: December 31 annually.
Research Awards: Deadline: December 31 annually.

Who can apply:

New Researchers’ Scheme: Applicants must be registered for either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a UK university and must be a GA Member by the time of application.
Research Awards: The GA Research Awards are available to all members of the Geologists’ Association of at least one year's standing, irrespective of age and status.
Meetings Award: The GA Meetings Award is available to all members of at least one year's standing and student members who are GA members by the time of application.
GA Regional Meetings Grant: Available to Local and Affiliated Groups of the GA

What to send:

New Researchers’ Scheme: A letter of support from the applicant’s dissertation or PhD supervisor must accompany the application.
Meetings Award: Applications from students must be accompanied by a letter of support from their supervisor.
GA Regional Meetings Grant: Applicants are required to complete a form (GA Regional Meetings Grant Application Form)
Curry Fund
- Applicants must complete the Application Form.
- Applicants must supply copies of three quotations for the cost of the proposed work, or explain why this is not possible.
- Applications from overseas visitors should be accompanied by a letter of support from a UK sponsor.

Applying again: Curry Fund: Applicants should not expect that follow-up funding will automatically be forthcoming.

Application success factors

What the charity says:

Applications are assessed for scientific excellence, financial need and value for money.
For long-term projects, the Committee expects evidence of suitable management arrangements, including ongoing funding.
The Curry Fund normally expects a tangible outcome that acknowledges its support.

Where they fund

Where it says it funds

United Kingdom

Similar funders

Funders supporting work similar to Geologists' Association.

The Royal Astronomical SocietyFixed deadlinesGave £321k British Society of GeomorphologyInvitation onlyGave £35,644 Royal Geographical SocietyFixed deadlinesGave £138k The Sillitoe Charitable TrustNo public processGave £4.2M

Five years of accounts

Financial year	Income	Expenditure	Grants paid	Accounts document
year to 31 December 2020	£327,567	£261,179	—	Accounts for year to 31 December 2020
year to 31 December 2021	£287,834	£230,019	—	Accounts for year to 31 December 2021
year to 31 December 2022	£266,471	£230,906	—	Accounts for year to 31 December 2022
year to 31 December 2023	£436,920	£305,704	—	Accounts for year to 31 December 2023
year to 31 December 2024	£326,219	£305,992	£6,550	Accounts for year to 31 December 2024

Grants paid, year to 31 December 2024: grants awarded in the year, as reported in the accounts.

Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.