Peatland ACTION - Peatland Restoration Internship Scheme - Application form and guidance for applicants

NatureScot Peatland ACTION is offering funding for businesses and organisations to support the employment costs of a full-time intern for up to six months in work related to the restoration of peatland. This scheme aims to provide a route into employment/self-employment for people who are looking to gain experience and skills in the peatland restoration sector. The internship will also enhance the current capacity of the sector engaging in peatland restoration project design and management. Ideally, the intern will be post from mid-August 2026.   

Background 

Peatland restoration plays a critical role in Scotland’s response to our Climate Change and Biodiversity emergencies. Peatlands store carbon and have benefits for biodiversity and water quality. It is estimated that 75% of Scotland’s peatlands are degraded. They are releasing over 15% of Scotland’s GHG emissions – the largest source of emissions after transport. Restoring peatlands is one of the most effective ways of locking in carbon, offering a clear nature-based solution to both the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.

Peatland ACTION is a national programme that is leading the way in delivering peatland restoration across Scotland, through providing funding to landowners to support on the ground restoration activities. It is led by Scottish Government and delivered in partnership between NatureScot, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, Scottish Water, and Forestry & Land Scotland. 

The Scottish Government aims to put 400,000 ha of peatland on the road to recovery by 2040, in support of Scotland’s target of net-zero emissions by 2045.

As Scotland continues to upscale efforts to meet the above restoration targets, there is a growing need for skilled and experienced people to assess, survey, plan, develop, manage and monitor a pipeline of projects. 

Evaluation by SKS Scotland of the pilot Internship Programme which ran in 2025-26, concluded that “there is strong support … for the continuation of the internship programme, both from the interns and employers”. 

This initiative aims to address barriers to entering the sector by providing funding that will cover the costs of employing a full-time intern for up to six months, making it possible to create new impactful opportunities for people gain skills and experience in peatland restoration.

What placements do we want to fund?

We are seeking applications from prospective host businesses and organisations, based in Scotland, who are willing to provide a placement for an intern, offering good quality, on-the-job learning and development experiences.  The learning experience of the intern should be central to the placements, helping individuals to develop the skills and experience required to move into employment/self-employment in this sector. 

In addition to on-the-job training and mentoring from employers, interns will also be supported by NatureScot Peatland ACTION throughout the scheme; all interns can benefit from a 2-day Theory and Principles of Restoration course delivered by the Crichton Carbon Centre at the beginning of the placement and subsequent tailored training opportunities. In addition, interns can join our series of training and knowledge sharing events.  Funding support from the Peatland Training Fund may also be available for relevant training courses. 

These 6-month long placements should run between mid-August and must finish by 28th February 2027. However, we would be willing to consider applications for longer internships where the 6 months paid for by NatureScot is matched with other funding. The NatureScot funding will still need to be claimed by the end of February 2027.

Placements should focus on opportunities for individuals to develop and enhance skills in peatland restoration and management. 

These skills may include (this list is not exhaustive):

• Landowner engagement and liaison
• Use of GIS (Desktop and field based) to create, analyse and visualise spatial data
• Habitat/species survey design, planning and fieldwork
• Peatland habitat identification and assessment including peat depth surveys
• Restoration management planning, including engagement with statutory organisations
• Engagement with the Prior Notification process
• Development of a comprehensive Statement of Requirements for delivery of the restoration work
• Assessment of tenders and contract management
• Inception, management and oversight of operational sites
• Monitoring the effectiveness of restoration techniques

Who can apply? 

Any organisation or business which can provide a good quality training and work experience placement in any aspect of peatland restoration and management is welcome to apply to this scheme.  Applicants are invited to demonstrate how they will meet the requirements of the scheme, ensuring the intern and their learning journey is at the heart of the process.   

Applicants must be able to demonstrate their commitment to Fair Work  practices in the delivery of this internship placement. 

Applications will be quality-assessed (and successful applications will be monitored) to ensure they meet the criteria outlined below and have the potential to deliver the desired outcomes. 

Applicants should set out a description of the placement being offered, the role requirements and person specification for the intern, and outline the range of skills development and learning experiences that will be made available to the intern during the placement.  Additionally, the line management and mentoring arrangements should be detailed in the application. 

Applicants should also set out any additional training that the trainee may be able to access, whether within or outwith the host organisation, including, if relevant, training part-fundable through the Peatland Training Fund.

What will we fund?    

Funding of up to a maximum of £21,400 will be available to successful businesses or organisations to enable the employment of an intern up to 35 hours per week for a period of up to 6 months. This will include direct employee costs (including NI and pension, T &S etc) and a maximum of 7% on top of direct employee costs to cover staff overheads including management costs.   

Salary to the participant should be at least the equivalent of NatureScot A Grade £2290 per month (gross). 

Payment of grant funding will be made monthly in arrears, (although there is an option of weekly payment in exceptional circumstances).

All interns must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Resident in Scotland
• Have the right to work in the UK* for the duration of the internships they apply to 

* Resident or currently in the country, for example, via the Graduate Visa Route. For more information on visas, visit UKCISA

Flexible working arrangements should be offered, if practicable, to ensure the internships are accessible to a broad range of candidates. 

What do host organisations need to provide? 

As recipients of funding, host organisations will be responsible for:

• Providing sufficient time from a skilled person to mentor the placement (induction, supervision, review, feedback and support), and to participate in monitoring and evaluating the internship scheme.
• Providing evidence of attendance by the trainee, i.e. completed timesheets signed by the intern and their manager.
• Completed Equalities Monitoring Form for each intern at the start of the placement.
• Brief end of Placement Evaluation Report with sections completed by the intern and the line manager/mentor.

As employers of the intern, host organisations will be responsible for:

• Recruitment of the intern including advertising
• A contract of employment for the intern
• Any necessary protective clothing and equipment for the intern so they can carry out their role.
• Induction for the intern including health and safety briefing
• Payment of salary to the intern, of at least £2290 per month gross
• Provision for the intern to be reimbursed for any necessary travel and subsistence expenses
• Employer’s liability insurance

What is the timeline? 

What other support will NatureScot Peatland ACTION provide? 

NatureScot Peatland ACTION may be able to help with or advise on advertising the internship but the host organisation must manage the recruitment process.

NatureScot Peatland ACTION will offer each intern a 2-day Theory and Principles of Restoration course delivered by the Crichton Carbon Centre and additional tailored training opportunities. 

Interns will be eligible to attend any CPD and training events advertised by NatureScot Peatland ACTION.  Additionally, they will be eligible to apply for funding for specific courses through the Peatland Training Fund.

Criteria for evaluation of applications

Scores will be awarded on the following basis:

How to apply

To apply download the application form, complete and submit to [email protected]   

Application forms must be submitted by the closing date of 23:59 hours on Friday 15th May 2026.