Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme

Each year the BTO provide a number of grants of up to £250, to support young people looking to visit one of the accredited British and Irish Bird Observatories.

About the YBOV grant

The grant is open to applicants aged 24 and under who are in full-time education or unemployed and can fully participate in fieldwork and observatory activities.

We are happy to receive applications year-round, however we review applications in February, May and August/September. Submit your application before 23:59 on Sunday 15th June to be considered in our next round

Requirements

To apply you will need to provide:

A written application consisting of:

Your name, occupation and age at time of visiting
The postcode from which you'll be travelling to the Observatory
An outline of the itinerary, including dates you will be at the Observatory
An outline of anticipated costs (travel and accommodation only)
An idea of the skills you hope to develop whilst at the Observatory
An explanation of how you think this experience will impact your career or studies

A reference from one of the following:

A BTO member or volunteer, or ringing trainer
Previous or current teacher
Previous or current employer

If you are under 18:

Written consent of a parent or guardian is required.
Download our YBOV consent form (PDF, 103.47 KB)

More detail can be obtained by emailing youth@bto.org.

You will need to have reserved a place at an Observatory (subject to the approval of the grant) for a visit of at least 4 nights during the current year. Confirmation will be needed as to whether the Observatory can host you as a visitor.

Responsibilities

It is your responsibility to confirm with the Observatory what work you will be doing; we recommend having a clear conversation with them about your expectations for your visit, and what they would like you to get involved with on-site.

To find out more about the Observatories and their offerings, visit the BOC website.

Applications

BOC logo Applications are considered by a committee comprising a representative from the Bird Observatories Council, one member of staff appointed by the BTO, one Youth Representative and an independent monitor. Funding for these grants is provided by a generous donation, matched by BTO funds.

If you would like to support young birders please email us at fundraising@bto.org.

BTO is proud to support young people visiting Bird Observatories, but please note that we are a grant-making body and do not manage the visits or internships at Bird Observatories. BTO and the sponsor reserve the right to ask for proof of confirmation of the applicant's stay at an Observatory.

To find out more about their work, and to arrange your work placement at an observatory, please visit the BOC website.

YBOV Grant Application Form

First name

Last name

Email address

In order for us to be able to contact you about your application, please provide a current email address.

Age at time of your visit

Postcode from which you'll be travelling

Parent(s) / Carer(s) email address

If you are under 18, we need to contact your parent(s)/carer(s) to confirm their consent.

Name of Bird Observatory

Please state the Bird Observatory that you have organised to visit, including the region where it is located.

Place confirmed by Observatory?

Yes

Your stay at your chosen Observatory must already be confirmed.

Dates of your visit

What are you hoping to learn in your time at the bird observatory?

What are your expected costs?

Please break these down in as much detail as you can.

How do you think your time at the bird observatory will impact your career or studies?

Are you currently in full-time education or unemployed?

Full-time education

Unemployed

Have you previously applied for a YBOV grant? If yes, were you successful?

Yes, but not successful

Yes, successful

Are you applying for grants elsewhere?

If yes, please state where and when you expect to hear back.

Please take the time to fill in our equality monitoring form if you are happy to do so.

Reference

Please include details of a BTO member, ringer, a current or previous employer, or a current or previous teacher. Include their name, contact details, and how they know you, as well as their relationship to BTO if they have volunteered or work with us.