The Fisheries Society Of The British Isles

Charity Number: 256475

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M
Geographic Focus: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany ... [13 more]

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £66,000+ (Small Research Grants alone)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (quarterly for travel grants)
  • Grant Range: £250 - £20,000 (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: International (though UK-based, open to members globally)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.fsbi.org.uk
  • Email: admin@fsbi.org.uk
  • Phone: 0151 600 3131
  • Address: Contact through website for specific program inquiries

Overview

The Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI) was founded in 1967 as an international, non-political, learned society supporting scientific activity in fish biology and fisheries science. Established following informal discussions at fish ecology conferences in Liverpool, the inaugural meeting took place on 21 October 1967 at the Zoological Society of London. Since 1992, the Society has distributed over £560,000 through its Small Research Grants scheme alone, making a significant contribution to fish research globally. FSBI is a registered charity (No. 256475) affiliated with the Royal Society of Biology. The Society publishes the Journal of Fish Biology (established 1969), which has an impact factor of 2.10 and was ranked among the 100 most influential journals in Biology & Medicine over the last century. The Society supports researchers at all career stages, from undergraduate through to post-retirement, through various grant programs, studentships, internships, and travel scholarships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Research Grants: Up to £7,500

  • Annual budget of £66,000 supporting novel research into fish biology and fisheries science
  • Open to all members regardless of geographical location
  • Application method: Annual competition via online application

Travel Grants: Up to £1,500

  • Annual budget of £50,000
  • Covers travel, insurance, subsistence costs, and conference fees
  • Quarterly deadlines: 1 March, 1 June, 2 September, 2 December (midnight GMT)
  • Primarily for presenting work at scientific meetings

Postdoctoral International Travelling Fellowships (PITF): Up to £20,000

  • Two fellowships awarded annually (one Incoming, one Outgoing)
  • 3-month duration to be completed within 12 months of award
  • Covers travel, subsistence, accommodation, and eligible research costs
  • Supports international mobility and collaboration

Training Grants: Amount varies

  • Supports members undertaking training in fish biology/fisheries science
  • For career development and research skill enhancement

Undergraduate Internships: £250 per week (maximum £2,000 for 8 weeks)

  • Enables supervised research in UK or Republic of Ireland
  • Covers subsistence and travel expenses

Wyn Wheeler Grant: Up to £6,000

  • Specifically for retired members continuing fish biology research
  • One grant available annually
  • Application deadline: 5 January (midnight GMT)
  • Named after founding member Alwyne Wheeler

PhD Studentships: Full funding for four years

  • Includes tuition, registration, viva voce exam
  • Stipend approximately £1,000 above UKRI standard rate
  • Annual £3,500 contribution to consumable costs

Public Engagement Grant: Up to £2,000

  • For individuals, teams, or organisations delivering outreach and engagement activities
  • Must promote fish biology science (not purely conservation)
  • Led by FSBI member

Sponsorship Grants: Up to £5,000

  • For events or activities supporting fish biology and fisheries science
  • Includes workshops, small meetings, conference sessions, symposia

Priority Areas

  • All aspects of fish biology and fisheries science
  • Novel research relevant to Society's objectives
  • International collaboration and knowledge sharing
  • Career development across all stages
  • Public engagement and science communication
  • Conservation linked to scientific understanding

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects not relevant to fish biology or fisheries science objectives
  • Public engagement activities that are purely conservation-focused without scientific promotion
  • Non-members (membership required for all grant applications)
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Governance and Leadership

FSBI is governed by a Council which serves as the charity trustees. The organization has had eleven Presidents since its foundation, including notable figures such as Ray Beverton FRS and Felicity Huntingford FRSE. The Society maintains high standards through the dedication of its Council members, who attend the Annual Symposium to maintain connection with members.

The Society was founded through the vision of Dr Jack W. Jones from the University of Liverpool and other pioneers in fish ecology. James Chubb from the University of Liverpool was appointed as the first editor of the Journal of Fish Biology.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Membership Requirement: All applicants must be paid-up FSBI members at the time of application

  • Basic Membership: £10/year
  • Student Journal Membership: £15/year
  • Journal Membership (Non-student): £30/year
  • Retired members receive student pricing

Application Methods:

  • Most programs: Online application through FSBI website
  • Travel Grants: Quarterly rolling deadlines
  • Small Research Grants: Annual competition
  • PITF: Annual deadline (specific dates announced)
  • Wyn Wheeler Grant: Annual deadline of 5 January

Decision Timeline

Travel Grants operate on a quarterly cycle with decisions made after each deadline (1 March, 1 June, 2 September, 2 December). For other programs, specific timelines are not publicly disclosed but decisions are typically made within weeks to months after the application deadline.

Success Rates

The FSBI does not publicly disclose specific success rates or application statistics. However, the Society has awarded over £560,000 through Small Research Grants alone over 25 years, indicating consistent funding activity. The annual budget of £66,000 for Small Research Grants (maximum £7,500 per grant) suggests approximately 8-9 awards annually for this program.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. Interested applicants should contact admin@fsbi.org.uk for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Research Excellence and Relevance: The Society funds “novel research into any aspect of fish biology and fisheries science.” Applications should clearly demonstrate originality and relevance to the Society's objectives.

Career Stage Appropriateness: FSBI has designed schemes “to support researchers at all stages of their career, from undergraduate through to post-retirement.” Choose the program that matches your career stage and needs.

International Collaboration: The PITF program specifically aims to “facilitate information sharing and international collaborations,” indicating the Society values cross-border scientific partnerships.

Member Engagement: The Society emphasizes member participation through symposia, the Annual General Meeting, and the Journal of Fish Biology. Active engagement with the Society's activities may strengthen applications.

Clear Objectives: For travel grants, applications should clearly demonstrate how attendance at conferences or meetings will advance fish biology research and dissemination.

Impact Demonstration: The analysis of the Small Research Grants scheme noted it has “made a disproportionately positive contribution on fish research and researchers as evidenced by journal articles produced.” Applications should indicate potential for scholarly output.

Training and Development: For training grants and internships, clearly articulate how the funding will “help the member develop their career goals or research.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Membership is mandatory: You must be a paid-up FSBI member to apply; membership is affordable (£10-£30 annually) and provides access to all funding opportunities
  • Career-appropriate programs: FSBI offers specific programs for each career stage; apply to the scheme designed for your level rather than stretching for larger grants
  • Travel grants are accessible: With quarterly deadlines and a £50,000 annual budget, travel grants offer regular opportunities for members to gain support for conference attendance
  • Novel research is valued: The emphasis on “novel research” suggests applications should clearly articulate what's new or innovative about your proposed work
  • International scope: Despite being UK-based, FSBI is international in membership and funding reach; geographical location outside the UK is not a barrier
  • Long-term commitment to fish science: With over 55 years of operation and substantial funding distributed, FSBI demonstrates consistent, reliable support for the field
  • Publication potential matters: The connection to the Journal of Fish Biology and emphasis on research impact suggests applications should discuss dissemination plans

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