Expression of Interest: Nature Networks Fund (round five) £250,000 to £1million
We will use the information you provide to decide whether or not to invite you to submit a full application. An invitation to apply does not guarantee a grant from us in the future, but does indicate that we see potential in your initial proposals.
You must use this guide to assist you in completing the online Expression of Interest (EOI) for grants from over £250,000 to £1million. If you do not submit an EOI, you will not be invited to submit a full application.
The EOI word count is deliberately short (maximum 1,000 words) to minimise the time and effort for you to complete this stage.
You must submit your EOI by 12noon on 12 August 2025.
Looking to apply for less than £250,000? You should submit a mandatory Project Enquiry instead.
Important: The National Lottery Heritage Fund uses the same forms across a variety of programmes that we deliver. When completing your application form, you must follow the guidance below as some questions need to be answered differently for this programme. You should not use the help icons embedded in the online form as they do not relate to this funding.
Before submitting
- Please make sure you have read the full application guidance for Nature Networks Fund (round five).
- Explore our position and advice on using artificial intelligence (AI) tools in your Expression of Interest.
How to submit
When you are ready, please complete the EOI on our online service.
You will need to register an account for yourself and for the organisation you are applying for if you do not have one already.
The deadline to submit your EOI is 12noon on 12 August 2025.
Hearing back from us
We aim to respond to your EOI within 20 working days from the end of the EOI deadline.
We will let you know via email whether you are successful in being invited to submit a full application to Nature Networks Fund (round five).
Expression of Interest questions
You can see the questions on the EOI below.
Have you spoken to anyone at the Heritage Fund about your idea?
If so, tell us their name.
Tell us also if you have spoken to anyone in Natural Resources Wales about your project, and about what e.g. permissions or licences.
Describe what you will do during the project.
Include any tasks you have to do to achieve the project goal. For example, describe what specific actions you will undertake to improve the management of habitats/species .
You have 200 words.
Do you have a title for the project?
You must include the prefix #NNF5 in your project title.
For example, #NNF5 Dragonfly nature reserve improvements, being clear and succinct on project activity and location if possible.
If invited to submit a full application, you can change your title.
Please outline how your project will respond to our four investment principles.
The Nature Networks Fund aligns with all of our investment principles, but the strength of focus, and emphasis on each principle, will be for you to decide and demonstrate.
Saving heritage, please tell us:
- how your project will improve the condition of Wales’ protected sites network.
- how will you restore connectivity and contribute to Resilient Ecological Networks (RENs), even if this will be in the future.
Protecting the environment, please tell us:
- how your project will mitigate and adapt to threats to protected sites, such as climate change, invasive non-native species, and pollution.
- what ecosystem services you will work to conserve or restore.
- how your work will contribute to ecosystem resilience on a landscape scale.
Inclusion, access and participation, please tell us:
- how will communities or audiences be actively involved in and around the protected sites.
- If there will be any accessibility improvements.
Organisational sustainability, please tell us:
- how your project will develop and sustain skills and capacity and/or improve your organisational resilience to ensure a long-term future for the protected sites network.
You have 300 words.
Tell us about the heritage of the project.
For this programme, heritage refers to the protected sites network. You should explain how your project links with the network (for example, specific site names e.g. SSSI and grid references and/or people/organisations who manage them) and why it is important (for both biodiversity/wildlife and people).
Tell us:
- Where will the work take place?
- What ecosystems/habitats/species populations will you work to conserve or restore?
You have 100 words.
What is the need for this project?
Please tell us:
- What is the need for this project in supporting the aims of the Nature Networks programme?
- What is the current condition of the site(s)?
- Is there a particular risk to the site(s)?
- about any research you have done with your audience.
You have 200 words.
How long do you think the project will take?
Tell us your estimated start and end dates. Your project must be complete by 31 March 2029 including evaluation and final reporting.
You have 50 words.
How much is the project likely to cost?
You must apply for between £250,000 and £1million. These costs can be estimated. If you require less you should complete a Project Enquiry for £50,000 to £250,000 and not an EOI. Please provide estimated amounts of capital and revenue costs you will apply for.
You have 200 words.
How much funding are you planning to apply for from us?
Submit an amount.
When are you likely to submit a funding application, if asked to do so?
You have 50 words. If invited, you will have to submit your application by 12noon on 18 November 2025.