Lund Fellowship
Now open for 2025, deadline Monday 14 July
The Lund Fellowship helps people with a connection to the High Weald gain knowledge and skills that will benefit the community and landscape.
The fellowship complements the work of the High Weald Nature and Community Fund (formerly Sussex Lund) which supports work that benefits nature and people across the High Weald.
The maximum grant available is £7,500.
Aims
It is expected that fellowship activity will help:
- Inspire people, enhance knowledge, and enable the exchange of ideas.
- Improve the natural environment of the High Weald National Landscape.
- Create a greener economy within the High Weald.
Areas of interest
We are open to a range of ideas, so long as you can demonstrate how your idea links to the aims of the fellowship programme. Examples of themes that are relevant:
- Improving farming and land management for nature.
- Building a greener economy that can be sustained by the community.
- Engaging young people in community, nature, and land management.
- Species reintroductions.
Previous funded projects
The Lund Fellowship was launched in 2024, and the panel awarded two grants for exciting and innovative project ideas.
Roots of regeneration: Farming stories from the High Weald
The first project aims to celebrate and build enthusiasm around the growing network of regenerative farmers and nature restoration projects in the High Weald – both to existing farmers and a wider audience.
Twelve emotive video case studies of farms and land management projects across the area will showcase the challenges and triumphs of this holistic way of farming, and inspire others to follow suit.
High Weald farm to fibre
The second project seeks understand whether textiles derived from domesticated livestock – such as wool and hides – could be a viable diversification option for regenerative farmers in the High Weald, perhaps through the creation of a localised ‘farm to fibre’ pathway.
The hope is that despite the challenges of the textile industry, this practice could increase financial returns and in turn contribute to a revival in technical and craft-based enterprises in the High Weald.
The two projects are now underway and due to submit their final reports and outcomes in 2026. We look forward to seeing the results!
How it works
- You can apply for up to £7,500 towards a range of activities, including going to conferences, visiting organisations doing interesting work and attending training courses.
- You will have up to two years to complete the fellowship and will be expected to produce a report on what you do.
- We will also ask you to present what you learn to the Lund Trust and High Weald National Landscape Partnership.
- We will award one to two fellowships a year.
- You must have a demonstrable connection and interest in the High Weald, and have some experience or knowledge drawn from your studies, work, or volunteering, in a field relevant to the fellowship.
- Applicants must be over the age of 18.
Your commitment
You will need to:
- Complete your fellowship within two years according to the timetable in your proposal.
- Provide occasional updates on your fellowship via email or phone.
- Provide a report on your findings at the end of the fellowship period. This should be freely available to the public.
- Present your findings to the Lund Trust and High Weald National Landscape Partnership.
- Keep a log of your expenditure and retain supporting evidence.
What the funding covers
Funding can be for anything reasonably required to complete the aims of your fellowship. This includes:
- Research costs; conference, training and course fees; travel expenses associated with study or study tours (within the UK and Europe only); educational resources; and support required to complete and promote your report e.g. report writing, film production or website creation. This is not an exhaustive list, and we will consider ideas on a case-by-case basis.
- The fellowship does not support university tuition fees or university assignments.
- Payment will be made in stages based on the budget in your initial proposal.
Assessment
Our selection criteria are broad to allow for as many interesting projects as possible. However, it is essential that you have a clear idea of your goals and how they relate to improving the High Weald landscape. You may find the High Weald Management Plan 2024-2029 useful.
For applicants that are shortlisted there will be an informal interview with representatives of the Lund Trust and High Weald National Landscape team. The decision to make an award will be made at the annual High Weald Nature and Community Fund panel meeting.
Application deadline and decision date
The panel considers applications once a year. You can submit your application anytime until the programme closes at midnight on Monday 14 July 2024.
Informal interviews will be held at the end of August/beginning of September. Decision notifications will be sent by the end of September 2025.
The Lund Fellowship is supported by Lund Trust.