Bursaries

Border Union Bicentenary Bursary

The Border Union Bicentenary Bursary Fund offers financial support to people with drive and ambition who seek to advance their careers (or start a new career) in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, country sports, the food sector, conservation, rural crafts, equestrianism, rural leisure, fish farming, environment, renewable sources of energy, and all aspects of the rural economy of the Borders and North Northumberland.

It was set up to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Society in 2013. It is expected to reach £160,000 after generous support from landed estates, trusts, companies and individuals.

Particular emphasis will be placed on ensuring that the support given to successful applicants will ultimately contribute to the benefit of the rural economy of the area. This reflects the main objective laid down by the founders of the Society in 1813, that of ‘encouraging improvement’.

The Panel will meet quarterly to consider applications for funding.

Who can apply?

  • Do you have drive and ambition?
  • Have you identified a learning opportunity which a course or study trip could enhance your career?
  • Would you like to start a new career or business which will benefit the rural Borders economy?
  • Are you finding it difficult to get funding for personal development?

The Border Union Bicentenary Bursary Fund may be able to help you. It offers support to people within the rural community of the Borders and North Northumberland. Successful applicants will ultimately contribute to the benefit of the rural economy of the area. This reflects the main objective laid down by the founders of the Society in 1813, that of ‘Encouraging Improvement’.

FAQs

Here you will find answers to some frequently asked questions.

The panel is made up of:

  • Lord Joicey, Ford & Etal Estates and Chairman of BUAS Bursary
  • Neil Thomson, Chairman BUAS
  • Mags Clark, Executive Director of BUAS
  • Douglas Stephen Trustee of BUAS
  • Charlie Robertson, ex-Rector Kelso High School
  • Luke Comins, Director Tweed Forum.
  • Mary Thomson, Principal Borders College;
  • Jill McGregor, Director McGregor Farms
  • Gordon Chisholm, BUAS Accountant
  • Jane Mitchell, Mount Pleasant Farm
  • Marshall Wilson,

2018

During the year a total of six completed applications were received. One was turned away as being outwith the scope of the scheme; one was an application for retrospective funding; one was subsequently withdrawn. The other three were successful and were:

  1. Carina Calder – to attend a conference and complete a study tour in Canada on Honeyberries
  2. David MacTaggart – to study deer-farming practices in New Zealand
  3. Danielle McKinnon – to undertake personal development training under the British Horse Society (Level 4) in connection with her work with underprivileged young people.

In addition to the above, the Panel awarded three bursary grants in response to applications from individuals to attend the 2018 Commonwealth Agricultural Conference in Edmonton (Canada) as Next Generation delegates from BUAS: Emily Douglas, Paul Richardson and Mags Clark.

The total amount of bursary support given through these six applications was £9200.

2017

During the year five applications were received, of which three were rejected as being out-with the scope of the scheme. Two of these were from undergraduates, and one from young school-leaver. The other two were successful and were:

  1. Phillip Anderson, St Boswells – a Masters in Outdoor Education at Edinburgh University with a specific interest in on-farming learning
  2. Maija Nygren, Galashiels – to attend a design workshop for her boutique children’s clothing company using Borders’ wool.

2016 

  • Derek Robeson – Comparing the two Tweeds, Tweed River New South Wales
    & River Tweed Scotland / England Border
  • Pat Stewart – A Study into the Effect of Climate Change on the Agricultural Communities of the Kullu Valley, India.
  • Laura Mitchell – Attending the Royal Agricultural Society of the commonwealth 27th conference in Singapore

2015

  • Kristoffer Smith –  Funding towards the Masters Course in Building Conservation (Technology and Management) at Heriot Watt University
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