Available Grants
The Merlin Trust Travel Bursary is now open for applications. Closing date for applications is 06 January 2027.
If you are planning your project, please be aware that we will moving to a series of deadlines starting with 06 January and then the following dates: 06 April, 06 July and 06 October 2027. Allow eight weeks for your application to be considered so please only consider travelling at least eight weeks after the closing dates: applications for travel less than eight weeks from the closing date will not be considered eligible.
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Travel Bursary
A travel bursary for young horticulturists wishing to pursue a number of different opportunities in the UK, across Europe or further afield. Grants of up to £1,500 are available to support travel, internships, work experience, research and conferences. More information below. The application window is now open with a closing date of 06 January 2027. PLEASE DO NOTE that travel costs have increased considerably over the last few months so please do carefully consider your travel plans.
More details…
Travel Bursary
This will include applications from individuals with an interest in specific areas of horticulture or groups of plants and also help to support their future career development
We strongly encourage applicants considering internships and work experience placements with special recognition being given to exciting or innovative projects.
All applications should demonstrate that they have been well researched and that advice has been sought from relevant individuals (including colleagues, lecturers/mentors and others in the horticultural sector) to ensure the success of the application and its aims and objective can be realised.
Potential applications might involve:
- Work experience placements or internships in gardens or other horticulturally related areas of work
- Undertaking visits to specific gardens or areas of interest including conservation programmes
- Pursue horticulturally relevant research projects
- Attend horticultural conferences or skills workshops
- A focus on one of two key areas: ‘green recovery’ for projects in sustainable horticulture and conservation horticulture, including the role of horticulture in habitat restoration; and ‘health & wellbeing’ to explore the impact of horticulture on society, particularly the links between gardening and health.
The Merlin Trust is keen to support internships at gardens or other horticultural organisations. This could include work experience of a few days to longer periods that allow applicants to more fully explore new areas of horticulture, work closely with particular plants or plant collections, experience different gardens and their microclimates and growing conditions, or work alongside a specialist to develop new skills.
The Travel Bursary is available for projects in the UK as well as worldwide travel projects. A maximum of £1500 is available per applicant.
Please do contact the Merlin Trust Secretary if you have an idea you would like to discuss or for advice on gardens or organisations to approach for your area of interest.
Applications will be considered across four calls per year, with closing dates of 06 January, 06 April, 06 July and 06 October. Allow 8 weeks for your application to be considered. For international travel, it is advised that there should be at least 12 weeks between the deadline and intended date of departure.
Further guidance is provided below with eligibility criteria described in the application form.
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Currently Closed Awards
Schachen Alpine Garden Work Experience Grant
An opportunity to spend 2-3 weeks working in this world renowned garden in the mountains close to Munich. The application window closed on 27 January 2025 for travel this year. This award is currently being rested.
AGS Tour Award
A travel bursary for a young horticulturist to join an AGS study tour to the French Alps in 2026. The application window closed in February 2026 and there are no plans to reopen the award. The AGS Young Person’s Activity Weekend Award has replaced this award for 2027.
McGregor Study Award 2025 – Alpine & Rock Gardens
An award aimed at furthering knowledge and experience of growing alpine plants and managing rock gardens. This award has closed for 2025 applications and will no longer be offered to future applicants.
AGS Young Person’s Activity Weekend Award 2026
Five awards of up to £200 were offered by the Merlin Trust to support attendance at the AGS Activity Weekend 2026. This award closed in March 2026 but will reopen for future AGS Activity Weekends from 2027 onwards.
The WRAG (Work and Retrain as a Gardener) Scheme Bursary
This bursary is open to existing Work and Retrain as a Gardener (WRAG) Scheme trainees to support them during their placement by covering travel costs, additional placements, or developing their training. Grants of up to £500 are available. The application window has now closed for 2026 but will reopen in June 2027.
How To Apply:
- Read the eligibility criteria and guidance notes (see below) carefully to ensure you and your intended project qualify;
- Fill in all parts of the Application Form;
- Email your application to the Secretary with your name as the file name by 5pm on the submission closing date;
- Ensure your two referees email their references as attachments to the Secretary by 5pm on the closing date: your application will not be considered complete without your references.
*You must allow a minimum of eight weeks from the closing date for your application to be considered. If travelling internationally, we suggest waiting 12 weeks from submission before making any travel plans.
Report Guidelines:
If your grant application has been successful, you will be required to produce a report of your visit. While there is no set template for this, we do offer some advice via the guidance document below. So if you are unsure what is required, read the guidance or get in touch! It is worth noting that all reports are published on our website and hence can be used by AI services.