Project Enquiry: Nature Networks Fund (round five) £50,000 to £250,000
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 submit your Project Enquiry by 12noon on 14 July 2025.
Looking to apply for more than £250,000? You should submit an Expression of Interest 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 Project Enquiry.
Project Enquiry questions
You can see the Project Enquiry questions here.
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, for example permissions or licences.
What is the need for this project?
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)?
Tell us about any research you have done with your audience.
You have 200 words.
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, including development and capacity building activity if relevant.
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.
Tell us about the heritage of the project.
For this programme, heritage refers to the protected sites network.
Please tell us:
- how your project links with the protected sites network (for example, specific site names e.g. SSSI and/or people/organisations who manage them)
- why it is important (for both biodiversity/wildlife and people).
- where the work will take place.
- what habitats/species populations you will work to conserve or restore.
You have 100 words.
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.
Who will be involved in the project?
Tell us about who will run the project, any partnerships and if people will volunteer on the project.
You have 100 words.
How long do you think the project will take?
Tell us an estimated start and end date. Note that projects must conclude by 30 Jan 2029, including evaluation and all financial reporting.
You have 50 words.
How much is the project likely to cost?
If you know, tell us about the most important costs, split into capital and revenue costs. These costs can be estimated.
You have 200 words.
How much funding are you planning to apply for from us?
£[enter amount]
How to submit
When you are ready to submit your enquiry, please complete the questions on our online service by 12noon on 14 July 2025 .
Before submitting, you will need to register an account for yourself and for the organisation you are applying for.
Hearing back from us
Once you have submitted an enquiry we will contact you by the start of August 2025 to let you know the outcome. If your enquiry is successful, you will be invited to make a full application by the deadline of 26 September 2025.
Guidance updates
We will regularly review this guidance and respond to user feedback. We reserve the right to make changes as required. We will communicate any changes as quickly as possible via this webpage.