Submit your application for the Dick Potts Legacy Fund

APPLICATIONS are now being considered for a fund that was launched in memory of an internationally-recognised scientist - Dick Potts from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).

The idea for the fund, in memory of Dick, came from his wife Olga. After Dick’s death on March 30 this year, Olga was inundated with letters from people Dick had helped and inspired over the years and who wanted to give something back. In order to do this, she launched the Dick Potts Legacy Fund.

Since the appeal launched, more than £14,500 has been raised.  This will help cover the expenses of small projects covering such things as farmland wildlife research, investigating flora and associated habitats, purchasing research supplies and equipment, travel, software and attendance at conferences.

Young ecologists, farmers, gamekeepers and land managers can all apply to receive grants from the Dick Potts Legacy Fund.

Julie Ewald, head of geographical information science at GWCT, who together with Olga helped organise the fundraising appeal, gives an overview of the types of applications the committee organising the fund is looking for.

“Dick Potts was quite innovative in how he would arrive at the solution to a problem, often devising small experiments or ways of analysing data that showed the best way forward,” she said.

“What we are looking for is similar projects that seek to advance the field of applied wildlife ecology, based on the hunch of those involved in hands on conservation work.  They should be well thought out and address a recognised problem in conservation.  We look forward to reading applications and deciding on which ones to support with funds from the Dick Potts Legacy Fund.  “It is due to the generosity of friends, family and former colleagues of Dick that we are able to offer this opportunity and we would like to thank everyone for their kind donations.

“The plan is to keep the fund going into the future so any further donations will be gratefully received.”

How to apply - closing date 31st October 2017

Please email the following details to dickpottsfund@gwct.org.uk:

• Name
• Address
• Email
• Phone
• Your Curriculum Vitae and the names and email addresses of two referees
• Please provide your information below, including, in no more than 2500 words:

 a) Project Overview. Tell us why you are applying for an award; what is innovative and practical about the work you propose to do and how it will advance our knowledge of Farmland Ecology.

b) Experiment Specifications. Set out details of your proposed experiment design including costings, timescale, sample sizes, site of the work and details of any access permission where appropriate. If you are in receipt of any other funding please attach details.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their proposals to the committee at the GWCT headquarters in Fordingbridge, via Skype.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Question: Is there an upper age limit for those applying?

Answer:  The Fund is looking to support the next generation of ecologists so, while primarily aimed at younger people, we have not set an upper age limit or been overly strict with criteria. This means we can include those to whom this may be a second career, who are returning to education or who are taking time out to study.

For students, we would mostly expect undergraduate, MSc or PhD level, or their equivalents. For those already working, for example in land management or gamekeeping, we would anticipate them to be in their first three years or so of relevant employment and this would include those who are in their first post-doctoral position.

However, we are flexible. If you are starting out, enthusiastic and have an innovative project we would love to hear about it.