The Spencer Bursary

The Spencer Bursary 2027 provides current students or recent graduates with the opportunity to attend RFS training events.

The Spencer Bursary 2026 applications have now closed.

There are three Spencer Bursaries available for 2027, covering the cost of a place, with one place available on each of the following training courses:

  • 5 May 2027 – Introduction to Soil Identification for Foresters.
  • 8 July 2027 – Drone Surveys in Forestry
  • 29 July 2027 – Introduction to Woodland Management for Biodiversity and Productivity

Criteria

You must be:

A student or recent graduate or college leaver with an interest in forestry.

An RFS Student or Early Careers Member at the time of your application.

Applications

All applications will be treated with strictest confidence. A committee will be appointed by RFS to review all applications. No other information will be used to assess each application.

Applications will open on 1st December 2026 and close at midnight on 28th December, we may close applications early if a high volume of applications are received so it’s best not to delay making your submission.

Travel and subsistence costs are to be covered by the recipient.

Cancellation/non-attendance:

All bursary places are financed from a limited bursary fund. As event costs are incurred regardless of attendance, the allocated bursary funding remains payable even if a recipient doesn’t attend. For this reason, bursary recipients who are unable to attend must provide a minimum of one calendar months’ notice. Where adequate notice is not given, or if the recipient fails to attend on the day, except for in extenuating circumstances, the recipient will be required to reimburse the cost of the course.

Any cancellations will be handled on a case-by-case basis, applying for the bursary shows your understanding and agreement to this condition of entry.

If you have any questions about making an application, please email us.

Meet our 2026 Spencer Bursary Recipients

Wren Sant

Spencer Bursary Recipient 2026

"I applied for the RFS Spencer bursary as I have just finished my Level 3 Forestry and Arboriculture course and recently started working at Brindle & Green Ltd as a Graduate Arboricultural Consultant.

I am keen to broaden my knowledge on the sector, especially soil science, and tree establishment and maintenance. Lots of trees are removed or struggle through planning development, and I am hoping to learn more so I can give effective advice to help strengthen tree vitality and resilience in the future."

Jessica Bradley

Spencer Bursary Recipient 2026

"I am very grateful to the RFS for granting me a Spencer Bursary, allowing me to attend their Woodland Carbon Code course in 2026.

As an Assistant Woodland Manager-come-Natural Capital Lead studying Rural Estate Management, this course will be integral to understanding how woodlands can generate alternative incomes – incentivising large-scale woodland creation for landowners and meeting government tree planting targets."

Aidan Dryburgh

Spencer Bursary Recipient 2026

"Receiving the Spencer Bursary has given me the opportunity to develop essential skills that I might otherwise not have been able to access. The bursary will enable me to attend An Introduction to Soil Identification for Foresters, tutored by Dr Andy Moffat.

Without this financial support, the cost of the course would have been a significant barrier. Thanks to the Spencer Bursary, I can gain practical training in soil identification and interpretation.

Understanding soils is fundamental to sustainable forest management, influencing species selection, productivity, site preparation, and environmental protection. This opportunity will strengthen my confidence in assessing forest soils and support my development as a forestry professional.

I am extremely grateful to the Royal Forestry Society for this support, which has made this important training possible and will contribute directly to my ongoing professional development."

Marcus Ling

Spencer Bursary Recipient 2026

“I applied for the bursary to attend The Woodland Carbon Code: A Practical Guide to Carbon Funding for Woodland Owners as a forestry student keen to develop my understanding of how woodland creation and management can deliver credible carbon benefits alongside wider environmental and economic objectives. Learning directly from industry experts is extremely valuable at this stage of my studies, helping to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world practice.

Being awarded this bursary has made it possible for me to attend the event, and I am very grateful for the opportunity. I am excited to gain practical insights from experienced professionals and to apply this knowledge as I progress in my studies and future career in forestry.”