Aubrey Barker Fund – Smaller Grants Programme 2026

Overview

The Aubrey Barker Fund has reopened its Smaller Grants Programme, offering targeted support to enhance surveying and land management skills in developing countries. These skills are critical for agriculture, as they underpin effective land use planning, soil management, crop productivity, and sustainable rural development.

Grant Size: Up to £3,000 GBP (Project Grants up to £1,000 GBP) Eligible Countries: Developing countries as classified by the World Bank (low, lower‑middle, and upper‑middle income economies)

Application Window: Open year‑round; decisions typically within six weeks, but allow up to three months

Agricultural Relevance

Surveying and land management are at the heart of agricultural transformation. By supporting students, professionals, and institutions in these fields, the Fund contributes directly to:

• Sustainable agriculture – Grants help develop curricula and tools for soil mapping, crop zoning, and climate‑smart farming practices.
• Farmer productivity – Project Grants can cover equipment and fieldwork costs for agricultural land surveys, irrigation planning, and yield optimization studies.
• Rural development – Bursaries enable students to pursue advanced training in land management, ensuring communities benefit from improved agricultural planning.
• Knowledge sharing – Conference support allows young professionals to present innovations in agricultural land use and rural resource management.

Funding Streams

• Capacity Development Grants
  • Supports curriculum or teaching material development in land management and agriculture.
  • Strengthens professional institutions delivering agricultural land use training.
  • Up to £3,000 GBP.
• Bursaries
  • Assists students from developing countries to access agricultural surveying and land management courses.
  • Up to £3,000 GBP (one grant per academic year per institution).
• Project Grants
  • Covers equipment or fieldwork costs for agricultural land surveys, soil fertility studies, or crop mapping.
  • Normally awarded to Masters level students or above.
  • Up to £1,000 GBP.
• Conference Attendance Support
  • Enables students and young professionals to attend agricultural land management conferences.
  • Grants up to £3,000 GBP, with a maximum of £1,000 GBP per attendee.

Administrative Arrangements

• Applications accepted at any time.
• Trustees review applications for completeness, eligibility, and viability.
• Scoring criteria emphasize community benefits, professional development, and systemic improvements in surveying and agriculture.
• Monitoring Form required within three months of project completion.

How to Apply

• Download and complete the relevant application form for the chosen funding stream.
• Submit the form with required supporting documents.
• Await Trustee review and decision.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Agri‑web. Applicants are encouraged to consult the official Aubrey Barker Fund portal for complete details and verified application instructions.