The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland’s annual Funding and Awards are now open to applicants.

This year’s total funding pot has been increased to £250,000. Applicants can apply for Individual funding of up to £10,000, who wish to further their work in areas that align with the Society’s charitable objectives which include Sustainability & Environmental Challenges, Education & Lifelong Learning, Technology & Innovation, Social & Wellbeing.

Previous recipients of the funds have included the North Highlands Initiative which put their funding towards a two-year scientific research project into equine grass sickness; research looking into socio-economic and environmental aspects of farming and food production in the North Highlands.

In 2022, The British Horse Society also received funding for the purchase of large animal rescue equipment that has since been used across all of Scotland. Other funding over the years has gone to individuals to attend international events to share ideas and best practices, including the Women in Agriculture Conference in Germany and the World Agritourism Conference in Vermont, USA.

Opening alongside the general funding pot is the Local Show Engagement Fund, launched in 2023 the fund aims to support local agricultural Shows across Scotland, delivering projects that may have felt previously out of reach, allowing regional Shows to plan for a sustainable future.

The fund launched to meet the need of local shows who faced significant struggles throughout Covid and in recent years.  The 2023 funding provided the Turiff Show the ability to install permanent Wifi at their Showground, the fitting of pedestrian barriers around the main ring of the Stirling Agricultural Show and improved the Kirriemuir Show’s educational marquee.

Two applications for the Local Show Engagement Fund 2024 have already been granted funding. The Narin Show, who have received their full funding request to install a mains water supply system on their Showfield and part funding to assist with the purchasing of stillages for their sheep and cattle gates. Secondly, The Stewarty Show, will receive partial funding to improve public safety across their Showfield, with crowd barriers around the main ring, and increase in the use of signage to engage with the public.

Judged against a social impact framework, RHASS aims to drive real change in key areas that affect agricultural and rural communities.