The Society makes grants and awards in three categories:
Fieldwork Grants
Fieldwork Grants are available to support geological fieldwork at home or abroad. We have two separate fieldwork grant streams, with strict conditions on what we can fund and different application deadlines.
- The Clough and Mykura Funds do not normally give grants to support undergraduate fieldwork. Grants from the Clough Fund may be awarded for fieldwork or other geological enterprise in any area, provided that a suitable Scottish connection can be demonstrated through the recipient or their institution, or through the work itself. Grants from the Mykura Fund are restricted to geological fieldwork in Scotland, with preference given to workers under 35 years old. Grants from these funds are normally of the order of a few hundred pounds. Where appropriate, we also give fieldwork grants in this category from our general funds.
- The Frank May Fund is a new fund in 2026, for undergraduate field-based projects in Scotland. Five grants up to £750 are available.
Fieldwork Grant conditions & application process
Grants for Fieldwork (Clough / Mykura Funds)
- Grants to support geological fieldwork at home or abroad.
- Applications are invited from professional and non-professional geologists and from students, and each will be considered on its merits.
- Grants from these funds are normally of the order of a few hundred pounds. Where appropriate, we also give fieldwork grants from our general funds.
- We cannot generally give grants to support undergraduate degree fieldwork from these funds.
- Applications from PhD students are welcome but we expect that the costs of routine fieldwork will be met by your institution or your grant-awarding body. Therefore you will need to make a clear and compelling case for additional support.
- Grants from the Clough Fund may be awarded for fieldwork or other geological enterprise in any area, provided that a suitable Scottish connection can be demonstrated through the recipient or their institution, or through the work itself.
- Grants from the Mykura Fund are restricted to geological fieldwork in Scotland, with preference given to workers under 35 years old.
- A strict condition is that a recipient has to provide, after the work is completed, a written summary account, of 1 – 2 A4 pages including photographs. This will be published on the EGS website.
Application Process:
Applications should be submitted by email using the EGS Grant Application Form – with all sections completed please – to the EGS Secretary at secretary@edinburghgeolsoc.org. Each submission should include the application form, brief CV and a supporting letter from the applicant’s institution or a reference from a relevant person of suitable professional standing. If possible please include all documents in a single pdf file, attached to an e-mail and sent to secretary@edinburghgeolsoc.org, with a title which identifies this as a grant application and the name of the applicant, e.g. Grant Application – Jenny Smith.
Submission Dates: grant applications will normally only be considered once a year and should therefore be submitted in good time, by 1 March (23:59).
Recent Fieldwork Grants – Reports
Grants for Undergraduate field-based projects in Scotland (Frank May Fund)
Applications are invited for grants from a fund in memory of the late Frank May, a long-time member of the EGS and past employee of the British Geological Survey.
- Grants of up to £750 to support undergraduate field-based projects in Scotland.
- A strict condition is that a recipient has to provide, after the work is completed, a written summary account, of 1 – 2 A4 pages including photographs. This will be published on the EGS website.
Application Process:
Applications should be submitted by email using the EGS Grant Application Form – with all sections completed please – to the EGS Secretary at secretary@edinburghgeolsoc.org. Please specify the Frank May Fund. The application should include best estimates of expenses, for example accommodation and travel.
Each application should include:
- the application form.
- a brief CV.
- A single letter of support, from an academic or other person who can comment on both the nature of the project and the suitability of the candidate for a grant. It is desirable (with permission from the candidate) to explain any financial or personal circumstances that may make a person needful of a grant. These will be taken into account in awarding grants.
If possible please include all documents in a single pdf file, attached to an e-mail and sent to secretary@edinburghgeolsoc.org, with a title which identifies this as a grant application and the name of the applicant, e.g. Frank May Fund Grant Application – Jenny Smith.
Submission Dates: grant applications will normally only be considered once a year and should therefore be submitted in good time, by 1 May (23:59) – extended to 1 June for 2026 (23:59).
Project Grants to further the aims of the Society
The Edinburgh Geological Society invites applications for grants to support projects that further the aims of the Society i.e. to encourage public interest in geology and to advance geological knowledge.
Guidelines For Applicants:
Grants will be awarded provided a suitable Scottish connection can be demonstrated through the work itself or through the recipient or their institution. Each application is judged on the excellence of the project, on its relevance to the Society’s aims, and on its affordability. Applications may be from organisations or individuals. Funding requests of up to £1,000 will be considered, and those that are matched by funding from other sources are more likely to receive favourable consideration. Grants will not be given retrospectively for any expenditure already incurred.
Submission Process:
Submission Process: Applications should be submitted by email using the EGS Grant Application Form – with all sections completed please – to the EGS Secretary at secretary@edinburghgeolsoc.org. Each submission should include the application form and a supporting letter from the applicant’s institution or a reference from a relevant person of suitable professional standing. If possible please include all documents in a single pdf file, attached to an e-mail and sent to secretary@edinburghgeolsoc.org, with a title which identifies this as a grant application and the name of the applicant, e.g. Grant Application – Jenny Smith.
Submission Dates: Applications will normally only be considered by Council twice a year and should therefore be submitted in good time, by either 1 March (23:59) or 1 October (23:59).
Awards for Excellence in Geology
The Clough Medal
The Clough Medal is the Society’s premier award, presented to a geologist whose original work has materially increased the knowledge of the geology of Scotland and/or the north of England, or any geologist working in Scotland or the north of England who has significantly advanced the knowledge of any aspect of geology.
The Clough Memorial Award
The Clough Memorial Award is a monetary award, given to an early-career geologist, normally under 35 years old, whose research on some aspect of the geology of Scotland or the north of England is considered as having outstanding merit. It is awarded biennially in odd years.
How to make a Clough nomination
Nominations for the Clough Medal and the Clough Memorial Award should be sent to the Secretary of the Society, to arrive not later than 1st March (23:59). Each submission should include the nomination letters, CV of the candidate and any additional letters of support, preferably as a single attachment in PDF format. Nominations should be attached to an e-mail and sent to secretary@edinburghgeolsoc.org, with a title which identifies the name of the award and the name of the nominee, e.g. Clough Medal – Jenny Smith.
Nominations should include a statement on the merits of the candidate with a list of their more important geological contributions, and a summary curriculum vitae. Nominations should be accompanied by an additional letter of support from a seconder. Further letters of support are also permissible from up to two additional people. The nominations will be considered and recommendations for award made by the Society’s Clough Committee. Unsuccessful nominations will be eligible for reconsideration the following year, subject to being refreshed by the nominee’s sponsor(s).