Bursary Fund
The object of this fund is to give small bursaries to support research and education projects specifically relating to Rhododendrons, Camellias or Magnolias, which further our knowledge of and/or promote these three genera. This could also be a grant towards travel expenses involved in carrying out the research.
The successful applicant would undertake to produce a paper outlining the results of the project, within three months of completion of the project, for publication (but not exclusively) in an RCMG publication and/or Group web site.
Applicants can apply for a bursary towards research anywhere in the world.
Applications will be subject to scrutiny on a first come first serve basis, by a small panel appointed by the RCMG, and must show clear objectives and the methods for achieving these. If desired, a preliminary outline of a proposal can be discussed with John Marston to assess its suitability before applying formally.
Applications may be made at any time in the year, but in any case, a minimum of twelve weeks must be allowed before the start of the proposed project. Bursaries cannot be given retrospectively.
Anyone interested in applying for a Bursary should download the application form. You may make your entries direct onto the form on your computer and either email or alternatively print out and post.
and send to
Dr John Marston by email at artavianjohn@gmail.com
or by post to Upper Gorwell House, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 7JP
Tel: 01271 267091
Fillable application form
Mark Bobin (September 2019) Head Gardener at Minterne Gardens, Dorset.
Mark was awarded a bursary to help him visit Arunachal Pradesh in October 2019. The expedition was arranged by Group member Keith Rushforth. The expedition trekked in the hills above Mipi, studying and recording the plants in their natural habitat. His focus was on Rhododendron species, with the aim of improving his knowledge and understanding and studying their taxonomy. Seeing the plants in their natural habitat has enabled him to try and emulate these conditions back at Minterne Gardens. An illustrated article on the expedition appeared in the 2020 RCMG Year Book.
Richard Holman (September 2017) Working gardener at Trelissick Garden, Cornwall.
£500 was awarded towards an expedition to look at Rhododendron species in North East India and to study their taxonomy. The aim was to improve his expertise in Rhododendron species and his skill in their cultivation in his professional life. An illustrated report on the expedition appeared in the 2019 RCMG Year Book.
Harry Watkins (April 2017) Executive Director at St Andrew's Botanic Garden
Harry was awarded £500 for research into Magnolia species that could be used in urban forestry as part of three year PhD project with the Department of Landscape, Sheffield University. The award was for work with the Sichuan Forestry Academy looking at Magnolia sargentiana as a case study. He went on to Japan for the second part of his research but there have been no results so far.
Kate Lock.(2021-2022)
Freelance gardener and Volunteer IUCN Red List Assessor, producing conservation assessments for the Red List of Rhododendrons and member of the Global Conservation Consortium for Rhododendron.
Kate was awarded a bursary to investigate and produce draft assessments of initially 20 endangered rhododendrons as part of the Global Tree Assessment for the Red List which is due to be updated in 2025. She has produced an article on her work to date in the Year Book 2023
.jpg)
.jpg)
