Application form and guidance notes for organisations wishing to apply for funding under the Challenge Fund.

Successful applicants to this stage will be invited to submit a more comprehensive application form (stage 2). These forms have been provided for information.

How to apply

Before applying, please read the guidance above and the Finance for Darwin and Illegal Wildlife Trade guidance.

Once you have read the guidance, please complete the Stage 1 application form.

If you are invited to Stage 2, please complete the Stage 2 application form (by invitation only). The budget form must also be submitted with your Stage 2 application form.

When to apply

There is a two-stage application process for IWT Challenge Fund projects. The timetable for Round 4 is set out below:

• Stage 1 application process opens: Thursday 27 July 2017
• deadline for Stage 1 applications: Thursday 21 September 2017
• expected outcome of Stage 1 and notification of applicants invited to Stage 2: By mid- December 2017
• deadline for Stage 2 applications: Tuesday 20 February 2018
• expected notification of successful projects: May 2018
• expected start date for successful projects: From 1 July 2018

Who can apply

Please refer to the guidance above for the list of countries and organisations eligible for the scheme.

Read about the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund.

Consent documents for University of Southampton, to release genetically modified organisms for research purposes.

Each consent granted includes:

• consent letter (confirming consent and outlining any conditions)
• part A(1): Information required under schedule 1 of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) regulations 2002
• part A(2-6): (If applicable) Details of related previous releases, including any data, results and risks
• part B: Information about the release application to be included on the public register

ACRE’s advice

• ACRE advice: application for a trial of GM Neisseria lactamica (17/R50/01)

The Environment Agency publish surrenders that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the surrender letter and decision document for:

• Operator name: The A & C Urch LLP
• Installation name: Ashley Farm
• Permit number: EPR/SP3536MC/S004

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge, radioactive substances activities and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

• what the applications are about
• where you can visit to see the applications
• when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

• whether to grant or refuse the applications
• what conditions to include in the permits (if granted)

Independent experts commissioned by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have produced a report looking at navigational risks in relation to oyster farm activity in the Whitstable area.

The report, which has been published on the Marine Management Organisation’s website, concludes that the farm’s operations are acceptable as a low risk to marine navigation. It recommends mitigation to reduce the risk even further, although acknowledging that the farm’s owners have already adopted this in some instances.

Assessing navigational risk

In response to questions from members of the public the MMO previously agreed to work with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Trinity House to assess how oyster racks in the area may affect local navigation and safety.

Marine licensing legislation

The MMO’s investigations under its marine licensing remit are still ongoing.

The MMO has a difficult task in managing competing uses of the marine area. It has previously explained its remit and the legislation it enforces relating to this development, specifically under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

The MMO has committed to reviewing its guidance around marine licence exemptions to take into account learning from this issue.

Marico report
(PDF, 2.46MB, 60 pages)