Nature Restoration Fund (NRF)

Total Value of Fund

The Nature Restoration Fund has over £65 million invested in nature restoration projects across Scotland since its launch in 2021. It is designed to run through at least 2026–27 under the current Scottish Government program.

Amount that can be applied for

The NRF offers two funding streams:
• Helping Nature: grants from £25,000 to £250,000.
• Transforming Nature: grants from £250,000 upwards, including substantial landscape-scale or multi-partner projects.

Percentage that can be applied for

The Scottish Government/NatureScot guidance does not list a specific percentage cap for NRF project costs. Rather, the fund provides competitive grants based on project merit and alignment with restoration priorities. Applicants need to demonstrate value and public benefit.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include:
• Constituted organisations: registered charities, trusts, constituted community groups.
• Partnerships and collaborative consortia of organisations.
• Private individuals and companies (with demonstrable public benefit) for some projects.
• At times, local authorities and National Parks receive direct allocations through the Edinburgh Process.

Aims of the fund

The NRF aims to:
• Restore and enhance biodiversity across Scotland’s land and marine environments.
• Address biodiversity loss and the impacts of climate change.
• Support the delivery of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and help Scotland become nature-positive by 2030 and significantly restored by 2045.
• Fund projects improving habitats, controlling invasive species, restoring freshwater and coastal ecosystems, and enhancing connectivity of nature networks.

Timing

The NRF is currently closed for expressions of interest and applications, with the most recent round receiving many submissions and decisions expected in early 2026. It was last openend June 2025.

Examples of successful projects

Recent and notable NRF-supported projects include:
• Royal Zoological Society of Scotland- Saving Wildcats Partnership: awarded over £400,000 to support recovery of the endangered Scottish wildcat. 
• Ardtornish Restoration Project: ~£600,000 for habitat restoration including upland, rainforest and coastal habitats. 
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Scottish Plant Recovery Project: ~£491,000 to restore threatened plant species. 
• Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands- Wood Wide Network: ~£68,817 for woodland connectivity work. 
• Earlier rounds have funded wetland creation, invasive species control, river and woodland restoration across Scotland.

Contact info

• Email: NRF@nature.scot 
• Website: https://www.nature.scot/funding-and-projects/nature-restoration-fund/nature-restoration-fund-guidance. 
• NatureScot main office Address: 

Great Glen House,
Leachkin Road, 
Inverness
IV3 8NW