How to apply

Introduction

Applications for the Forestry Grant Scheme are online only.

You must register with Rural Payments and Services and have a Business Reference Number (BRN).

You can submit applications for Forestry Grant Scheme funding throughout the year.

Forestry Commission Scotland conservancy staff will assess applications on an ongoing approval basis. The Forestry Grant Scheme is competitive and our aim is to select the applications that deliver the greatest benefits against our budget priorities.

Some basic guidance about what you need to consider to establish a woodland and also to manage an existing woodland is available.

Managing existing woodlands

Establishing new woodlands

Customer charter

Forestry Commission Scotland staff will process your application according to Forestry Commission Scotland’s customer charter. This may include a site visit. We may also request further information from you.

Monetary value and approval of contracts

If your application is approved and is less than £750,000 grant value, then you will be sent a contract approved by your local Forestry Commission Scotland conservator.

If the application selected for approval is for greater than £750,000 grant value, then this will require approval by a national assessment committee.

This committee will be led by Forestry Commission Scotland but will also have members from the Rural Payments and Inspections Division and Scottish Natural Heritage. It may also seek ministerial approval, dependent upon the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs’s practice at that time.

After the approved contract has been signed by both Forestry Commission Scotland and yourself, you may commence the work.

Online application guide

Guidance to help you apply online for the Forestry Grant Scheme is available.

Submitting an application online

Once you have logged in to Rural Payments and Services, you will be able to submit an application online.

You can do this by clicking 'Applications' from your customer home page and selecting 'Forestry Grant Scheme' from the dropdown list to start a new application.

Once you have completed your application, select 'Submit Application' and an acknowledgement of your application will appear along with an application reference number.

Please use this number for all communications with Forestry Commission Scotland, and for tracking the progress of your application.

Assessing and scoring your application

Forestry Commission Scotland staff will assess your application and check it against the option(s) eligibility. We will also assess your financial eligibility.

When we assess woodland creation applications, we will give them a score based on how well the application meets current forestry and woodland strategies, together with local considerations such as enhancing local landscapes.

When we assess woodland management applications, we will give them a score based on how well it supports priority habitats and species and contributes to multi-purpose objectives.