Page last updated: 8 July 2024.

You must use this guide to assist you in completing the online Expression of Interest for grants from over £250,000 to £1m. If you do not submit an Expression of Interest you will not be invited to submit a full application.

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.

The Expression of Interest 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 Expression of Interest by 12 noon on 16 August 2024.

Before submitting

Please make sure you have read:

• The application guidance for the Nature Networks Fund (round 4)

Expression of Interest questions

You can see the questions on the Expression of Interest 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.

Describe what you will do during the project.

Include any tasks you have to do to achieve the project goal. You have 200 words.

Do you have a title for the project?

Your project title must include the prefix #NNF4 (for example #NNF4 Dragonfly Nature Reserve Improvements)

Please outline how your project will respond to our four investment principles.

Don’t tell us about the heritage site(s) yet, this can be detailed on the following question.

Please tell us:

• How your project will improve the condition and resilience of Wales' protected sites network through capital works to benefit habitats and species?
• How your project will improve accessibility to and engagement with the protected sites network?
• What communities will you work with? 
• How your project will improve your organisational resilience and, therefore, future ability to manage the protected sites network?

You have 300 words.

Tell us about the heritage of the project.

Tell us:

• Where will the work take place?
• What habitats/species will you work to improve?

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 and grid references and/or people/organisations who manage them) and why it is important (for both biodiversity/wildlife and people).

You have 100 words.

What is the need for this project?

What work have you done that shows the potential benefits of the project? 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 2028 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 Expression of Interest. 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. You must submit your application by 12 noon on 8 November 2024.

How to submit

When you are ready, please complete the Expression of Interest on our Get funding for a heritage project 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.  

Hearing back from us

We aim to respond to your Expression of Interest within 20 working days.  

We will let you know via email whether you are successful in being invited to submit a full application to the Nature Networks Fund Round 4.