Awards
Student Awards & Bursaries
Award for student engagement with RSFS (opens 1 september)
What is it for?
For the student who can demonstrate that they have been an active participant of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society. They might have come along to one or more field days or the annual study tour, read our Scottish Forestry journal, got in touch with a suggestion, or volunteered to join a regional committee.
Who is eligible?
Any student studying forestry or a related discipline.
What is the prize?
£200 prize and the Ballogie Cup
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form by 1 May 2027
When will I find out?
The winner will be notified by 1 August 2027
How do I give back?
The winner’s application may be published in full or part in an RSFS publication or used to encourage other students to engage with the society.
The John Paterson Award for Best Understorey Article
What is it for?
For the student/s who submits the best article for the RSFS’s student publication Understorey.
Who is eligible?
Any student studying forestry or a related discipline
What is the prize?
£500 prize and the EGGER trophy
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form by 1 June 2027
When will I find out?
The winner will be notified by 1 August 2027
How do I give back?
The winner’s entry will be published in full or part in an RSFS publication and website.
RSFS Award for the Rising Star Forester (opens 1 september)
What is it for?
For the student who can demonstrate skill development, commitment to a career in forestry and growing a connection with the forestry community.
Who is eligible?
Any student studying forestry or a related discipline
What is the prize?
£200 and the Buccleuch Silver Slasher
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form by 1 May 2027
When will I find out?
The winner will be notified by 1 August 2027
How do I give back?
The winner’s application may be published in full or part in an RSFS publication or website
RSFS Murgitroyd Award for Excellence in a Mensuration Module (opens 1 September)
What is it for?
For the student who can demonstrate excellence in mensuration.
Who is eligible?
Any student studying mensuration in the BSc programme at UHI only.
What is the prize?
£200
How do I apply?
All students studying mensuration in the BSc programme at UHI will be automatically considered by the course leader.
When will I find out?
The winner will be notified by 1 August 2026
How do I give back?
The winner will be invited to write a blog post or create a short video about their mensuration learning.
RSFS Award for Excellence in a Silviculture Module (Opens 1 September)
What is it for?
For the student who can demonstrate excellent silviculture knowledge.
Who is eligible?
Any student studying a silviculture module at UHI, SRUC or University of Cumbia.
What is the prize?
£200 and the Anderson Quaich
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form by 1 June 2027
When will I find out?
The winner will be notified by 1 August 2027
How do I give back?
The winner will be invited to write a blog post or create a short video about their silviculture learning.
Davidson Bursary for Further Education Course
What is it for?
For assisting with the course fees and maintenance costs of any student entering a further education course in Forestry at UHI, SRUC or the University of Cumbria
Who is eligible?
Entrant students to any certificate, HNC or HND course at UHI, SRUC or the University of Cumbria
How much is the bursary?
£500
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form by 1 September 2026
When do I find out?
The winner will be notified by 1 October 2026
How do I give back?
The recipient will be invited to write an article for Understorey
Davidson Bursary for Higher Education Course
What is it for?
For assisting with the course fees and maintenance costs of any student in a higher education course in Forestry at UHI, SRUC or the University of Cumbria
Who is eligible?
Entrant students on any BSc, MSc, or MRes forestry programme at UHI, SRUC or the University of Cumbria
How much is the bursary?
£500
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form by 1 September 2026
When do I find out?
The winner will be notified by 1 October 2026
How do I give back?
The recipient will be invited to write an article for Understorey
RSFS Bursary for Annual Study Tour Attendance (CLOSED FOR 2026)
What is it for?
For developing the forestry knowledge of any student in Scotland studying forestry or a related discipline who is interested in attending the RSFS Annual Study Tour.
Who is eligible?
Current students studying for a qualification in forestry or a related discipline in Scotland
How much is the bursary?
£500 to cover fees, travel and accommodation
How do I apply?
Applications will re-open at the start of 2027. Complete the online application form by 31 March 2027
When do I find out?
The winner will be notified by 30 April 2027
How do I give back?
The recipient will be invited to write a blog post/article or create a short video about their experience.
Early Career Awards & Bursaries
RSFS Bursary for Annual Study Tour Attendance (closed for 2026)
What is it for?
For developing the forestry knowledge of any student in Scotland studying forestry or a related discipline who is interested in attending the RSFS Annual Study Tour.
Who is eligible?
Current students studying for a qualification in forestry or a related discipline in Scotland
How much is the bursary?
£500 to cover fees, travel and accommodation
How do I apply?
Applications will open again at the start of 2027. Complete the online application form by 31 March 2027.
When do I find out?
The winner will be notified by 30 April 2027
How do I give back?
The recipient will be invited to write a blog post/article or create a short video about their experience.
Murgatroyd Equipment Bursary
What is it for?
For providing an early career forester with equipment they need to develop their career (anything from software licenses to waterproofs). Equipment that employers are legally obligated to provide is not eligible.
Who is eligible?
Professionals working in the forestry sector, with no more than three years of experience.
How much is the bursary?
Up to £500 (two bursaries are available)
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form by 1 August 2027
When do I find out?
The winner will be notified by 1 September 2027
Murgatroyd Professional Development Bursary
What is it for?
For providing an early career forester with skills they need to develop their career. Training that employers are legally obligated to provide is not eligible.
Who is eligible?
Professionals working in the forestry sector, with no more than three years of experience.
How much is the bursary?
Up to £700
How do I apply?
There are two rounds of application deadlines for the award: 10 January and 1 June. Complete the online application form by either date.
When do I find out?
The winner will be notified by 1 Febuary 2027 (round 1) and 1 July 2027 (round 2).
established career Awards & Bursaries
RSFS European Forestry Bursary
What is it for?
For providing an RSFS member the opportunity to engage with European* forestry professionals to share knowledge, build networks and apply learning. Some examples might be undertaking a collaborative project with foresters/forestry professionals based in a European country, a benchmarking visit to a site/s in Europe or engaging with a European conference, event or training course.
Who is eligible?
Any RSFS member who is a professional working in the forestry sector, with more than three years of experience.
How much is the bursary?
Up to £2000
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form by 1 February 2027
When do I find out?
Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 1 March, and invited to the next stage. They will be asked to complete a costed proposal by 1 April. The winner will be notified by 1 May 2027.
How do I give back?
The winning applicant will be required to author a report of their visit, for likely publication in RSFS's journal, Scottish Forestry.
*Which countries are eligible?
For the purposes of this bursary 'Europe' is defined as the member countries of Forest Europe
Writing Awards
Sir George Campbell Memorial Trophy
What is it for?
For recognising detailed technical, scientific or research papers, case histories, reports and reviews.
Who is eligible?
Any article in Scottish Forestry, so long as the author or at least one co-author is a member of the RSFS or an employee of a corporate member
What is the prize?
The Sir George Campbell Memorial Trophy
How do I apply?
All articles in Scottish Forestry where at least one author is a member of RSFS are considered automatically.
When do I find out?
The winner will be notified between March and May
To view previous winning entries, please visit our Scottish Forestry showcase articles.
Neil Findlay Memorial Trophy
What is it for?
For recognising the best paper that portrays wider perspectives of people’s involvement with trees, woodland and environment
Who is eligible?
All authors of an article in Scottish Forestry, so long as the author or at least one co-author is a member of the RSFS or an employee of a corporate member
What is the prize?
The Neil Findlay Memorial Trophy
How do I apply?
All articles in Scottish Forestry where at least one author is a member of RSFS are considered automatically.
When do I find out?
The winner will be notified between March and May
Interested in setting up an award or bursary?
If you might be interest in setting up an award or bursary to support student or early career foresters, please get in touch at director@rsfs.org.uk.
We are especially interested in providing more opportunities for students and early career foresters to attend our annual study tour. If you can contribute in whole or in part to an annual study tour bursary, please get in touch.
The Royal Scottish Forestry Society is deeply grateful to our corporate and individual sponsors who have made a gift or left a legacy to allow us to offer such a diverse range of awards. By managing these gifts sustainably we can offer these valued prizes and bursaries over the long term, helping generations of future foresters.
Writing awards have been an important element of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society as far back as it’s formation in 1854, with four writing prizes offered in its first year. Winning essays were published in the RSFS journal, then knowns as Transactions of the Scottish Arboricultural Society. We’ve been continuing the tradition ever since.
This year the Royal Scottish Forestry Society will aim to award over £5000 to 14 award winners and bursary recipients. If you’d like to contribute to allow us to make even more awards next year, please get in touch!
“We’re delighted to support a student award. The UK’s forests don’t manage themselves and our colleges and universities are at the heart of the next generation of Foresters who will plan and manage sustainable woodlands for generations to come.”
“Our awards and bursaries provide a great opportunity for foresters to have their work recognised, their skills developed or their education and equipment costs contributed to. I would encourage any eligible students or foresters to apply for a prize or bursary at the earliest opportunity.”