The Spencer Bursary
The Spencer Bursary provides current students or recent graduates with the opportunity to attend RFS events.
Applications are now closed for 2025. They will reopen for 2026 in December.
The RFS offers up to 5 Spencer Bursaries each year to the value of £150 each. The bursary must be used to pay for entry into an RFS event, with the rest of the money used for travel and subsistence costs on the day of the event.
This could be used towards a training event, or a woodland meeting that is a long distance from you.
When you apply please make it clear why this event is important to you, and what it would mean to be able to attend.
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.
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.
If you have any questions about making an application, please email us.
Mike Houlihan
RFS Spencer Bursary Recipient 2025
"I applied for the bursary as I am a mature student on the Arboriculture & Forestry BTEC course at Bicton College in Devon. I have made a career change and am keen to improve my (very) basic knowledge of soil."
Tom Fowler
Spencer Bursary Recipient 2025
“ I applied for this bursary to attend the Soil Identification for Foresters course, as I have been eager to deepen my understanding of forest soils through a dedicated workshop.
Gaining practical experience in soil identification will be invaluable in helping me make informed silvicultural decisions throughout my career, an essential skill for any forester.
I am extremely grateful to the RFS for awarding me this bursary, which enables me to take part in what promises to be a fantastic day of professional development.”
Aidan Dryburgh
Spencer Bursary Recipient 2025
"I am a second year student studying forest management at the University of Cumbria. I have wanted to attend the CCF - Irregular Silviculture in the lowlands course ever since I found out about it at a Woodland Heritage event. The course came highly recommended, however given the price I wouldn’t be able to attend without the RFS’s Spencer bursary.
I really appreciate the RFS and their drive to get more people such as myself into forestry and giving us the financial support and guidance to do so. I will be forever grateful."
Hugh Cresswell
Spencer Bursary Recipient 2025
"As an early career forester, it can be challenging to get the experience needed for such a multifaceted profession. The Spencer Bursary has allowed me to take part in a fascinating research study where I can hone my mensuration, GIS and research skills, without having to worry about expenses. Thanks to the RFS for such a great opportunity!"
Chris Northrop
Spencer Bursary Recipient 2025
"I love trees, I am especially interested in tree health and species selection. A talk from Becky from the RFS at University led me to join. I quickly saw the intern position advertised, felt it would be perfect, had a chat with Jen from the RFS which encouraged me hugely and with yet more encouragement from one of my lecturers I went for it. I am now preparing for a few days in Wales geeking out over trees. What better way to spend the summer!"
