Supporting Forestry Research, Education and Training throughout the UK.
Supporting Forestry Research, Education and Training throughout the UK.
Supporting Forestry Research, Education and Training throughout the UK.

We support the future of forestry in the UK. For over 40 years, the Scottish Forestry Trust has invested in research, education and training to build the knowledge and expertise the sector needs to thrive. From climate change and tree health to biodiversity, sustainable woodland management and timber technologies, we support work that advances understanding, informs practice and helps address the challenges facing forestry. Explore our projects to discover the breadth of our work.

We fund the people and ideas that move forestry forward. Through grants and bursaries, we support individuals, organisations and research institutions undertaking work that will benefit UK forestry. We also work in partnership with other funders to extend the reach of our support. Our Bursary Scheme, delivered with assistance from the Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry and Natural Resources Wales, helps postgraduate students pursue research into issues shaping the future of forestry. Our Annual Report offers a further insight into the projects and initiatives we support.

  • Our Projects

    We provide grant support, often in partnership with other organisations,  for individuals, organisations and research institutions offering funding to assist work which supports education, research or training leading to the development of UK forestry

    More information…

  • Applying

    We have a range of schemes to support your research, education and training needs.

    More information…

  • Support the Trust

     There are lots of ways you can help support us; Become a Friend of SFT, Payroll Giving, Legacy Giving.

    More information…

Latest News
Monday, June 1st 2026

Improved support for PhD students

The Scottish Forestry Trust is delighted to announce an 8% increase in funding awarded to postgraduate students currently undertaking doctoral research in many of the key issues affecting forestry in the United Kingdom. In a move that mirrors the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announcement ear... Full Story...
Friday, March 13th 2026

The Dr Cyril Hart Memorial Award Winner 2026

The Scottish Forestry Trust is delighted to announce that the winner of The Dr Cyril Hart Memorial Award for 2026 is Sarah Watts and colleagues for their research article published in Restoration Ecology, “Why the present is not the key to past or future: moving beyond restricted relict habita... Full Story...

About the Scottish Forestry Trust

The Scottish Forestry Trust was established in 1983 by a gift of share capital, and our role is to provide funds by way of grants, to support research, education and training in forestry throughout the UK.  

Since our establishment, we have committed nearly £3.5m to fund almost 300 projects ranging from supporting post graduate industry applied research, social and environmental forestry, policy formulation and broader public education and awareness. The Trust is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) registered in Scotland (Scottish Charity Number SC053147).

Our charity deeds give us the ability to support projects throughout the whole of the UK provided they can demonstrate a direct benefit to improving knowledge and practise in UK forestry and woodland management; the woodland ecosystem and the processes and products derived from UK woodlands. Our latest Development Strategy: Futureproofing Forestry: Priorities for 2022-2031 can be found here.

Our income is provided in two main ways. Firstly we receive investment income from our Endowment. These funds are managed on our behalf by Brewin Dolphin. We have an active responsible investment policy and our funds are not invested in in any company that promotes pornography or where the principal business is in tobacco or weapons manufacturing or in companies where there has been evidence of controversies relating to deforestation or permanent removal of natural forests. As of April 2022 the Trustees are also satisfied that there are no investments in companies that actively operate in or have a connection to Russia. Secondly we also work with partners who entrust us with managing their funds to support forestry research education and training on their behalf - this includes Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry, Natural Resources Wales, Tilhill Forestry, QBE Insurance and the Hylobius Industry Research Partnership. The Scottish Forestry Trust is open to work with other partners and aims to increase funds available via this route over the next 10 years.

Support our work

The challenges for forests and woodlands are continually changing with threats from pests and disease as well as the changing climate. You can help us to support research to tackle these threats by donating to our funds.  

Stay in touch

Follow the work of The Scottish Forestry Trust by signing up to receive our e-Newsletter

The Scottish Forestry Trust SCIO is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Scottish Charity No. SC053147). The Scottish Forestry Trust was established in 1983 by a gift of share capital, and our role is to provide funds by way of grants, to support research, education and training throughout the UK.  Since our establishment, we have provided nearly £2.7m to fund over 190 projects ranging from supporting post graduate industry applied research, social and environmental forestry, policy formulation and broader public education and awareness.