Wytham Woods classified as Small Research Facility
Wytham Woods has been officially classified as a Small Research Facility (SRF), a move that will strengthen research activity and improve funding access for projects conducted in the woodland.
The new designation allows research groups to apply for financial support or grants that specifically include the costs of accessing Wytham Woods, such as facilities, support and infrastructure. By clearly identifying these costs, researchers can now add them directly into their project budgets when applying for funding.
As part of the update, the SRF listing has been added to the Biology and Earth Sciences X5 system, reflecting the disciplines most commonly linked to research conducted in the woodland. When submitting funding applications through the system, researchers can now select Wytham Woods from a drop-down menu that enables them to allocate funding toward use of the site. The facility operates on a daily rate for research access, helping project planners estimate costs more accurately and streamline decision-making.
Revenue generated through the SRF scheme will support the ongoing maintenance of the woodland’s essential infrastructure. This includes practical management tasks such as mowing paths, removing hazardous trees, and carrying out basic woodland management to keep the site safe and accessible for scientific work.
The SRF programme is designed to help universities provide specialised facilities and services that benefit both internal researchers and external users, including research teams from other institutions. By formally recognising Wytham Woods as an SRF, the University aims to make it easier for scientists to incorporate the site into funded research projects while ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Researchers interested in conducting studies within Wytham Woods or across the wider Oxford Green Estate can find further information about applications and participation on this webpage.
The development is expected to increase visibility of the woodland’s diverse habitats and land uses, and attract new research interest.
