In 2025, the British Ornithologists’ Union will launch a new fund to support students undertaking summer research placements.

The BOU Summer Placement Scheme will provide financial support for undergraduate students to carry out small research projects which might otherwise be unaffordable.

The scheme will be open to students of any age, at any stage of their undergraduate degree, studying at any UK higher education institution. Students must work with a member of staff who will be responsible for their supervision, but we are open to supporting exchanges between institutions.

Research projects must be linked to the field of ornithology, and cannot form part of any academic assessment. Our selection process will primarily focus on identifying applicants who will benefit most from our support.

We will award up to 3 placement students a maximum of £2,400 (a £250 weekly stipend for up to 8 weeks, plus up to £400 for research expenses). Successful applicants will also be gifted a year’s membership of the BOU worth £25. In return, we simply ask that placement students write a blog post to tell the ornithology community about their experience.

Applications will open in early January 2025, at which time full guidelines will be made available, but in the meantime:

• If you are prospective applicant… start identifying members of staff who could support your application, and begin developing a project idea.
• If you are a member of staff… start identifying prospective applicants who might benefit from the BOU Summer Placement Scheme.

Image | Fieldworkers at a Manx Shearwater burrow © Saskia Wischnewski