Its corporate strategy has four main themes: (i) Caring for the natural world is about caring for the natural heritage and understanding how it is changing - its goal is for people to care effectively for the whole of Scotland’s natural heritage; (ii) Enriching People’s Lives is about gaining the greatest personal and social benefits for people from having a good quality of natural heritage - its goal is for the natural heritage to add to the quality of people’s lives, making environments close to where people live more attractive, and creating opportunities for people to enjoy, learn about and get involved with the natural heritage; (iii) Promoting sustainable use is about using the natural heritage in a way which respects its long-term value while delivering economic benefit - its goal is to make sure that people can benefit from the natural heritage tomorrow because everyone has looked after it today; and (iv) Ways of working is about how we work to deliver these points in a responsive, open, efficient and effective way - its goal is to be a responsive, effective, efficient and credible organisation.

Scottish Natural Heritage offers grants to help individuals and organisations carry out projects which match its aims. Grants are available for a wide range of projects which: (i) improve the conservation of species, habitats and landscapes; (ii) promote public enjoyment of the natural heritage; and (iii) increase awareness and understanding of the natural heritage. Projects will normally come under one of the three main categories of grant aid - Communities, Education and Land Managers.

Anyone can apply who can show that they have the right to undertake the proposed project, and that they own or manage any land involved or have the agreement of the owner.

All grants are discretionary. Rates vary according to the different circumstances of each application and according to local priorities, but rarely exceed 50 per cent. Higher rates may be offered but only for a limited number of priority projects. SNH staff can advise further.

Proposals should be discussed with SNH staff at an early stage. They can advise whether a project is likely to be appropriate for SNH support, how a proposal should be developed and the procedures to follow in preparing and submitting an application.

Applications have a greater chance of success if they include comprehensive and detailed supporting information. Unless otherwise agreed, three competitive tenders should be submitted with applications for projects costing more than £5,000.

Scottish Natural Heritage produces a number of supplementary grants leaflets and a wide range of other leaflets, information sheets, technical reports and publications as well as providing specialist advisory services. These can assist potential applicants in developing their proposals and preparing an application. Details are available from any SNH office or in their publications catalogue.

Applications can be submitted at any time. To ensure adequate time for SNH to consider an application and to allocate funds, it is advisable for this to be done as far in advance of the proposed start date as possible.

Grants cannot be offered retrospectively, so any work undertaken prior to submission of an application or during the period of assessment by SNH will not be eligible for a grant.

Applications must be submitted on an SNH grant application form, although supplementary information will be welcome. Applications forms are available from any SNH office.

For some projects advice and funding should be sought from other agencies, such as the Forestry Commission, Scottish Government, VisitScotland, Sportscotland, Historic Scotland, Local Enterprise Company or local authority. In certain circumstances, joint funding between SNH and one or more of these agencies may be appropriate. Contributions from other agencies are taken into account in setting the rate of grant offered by SNH.