LINKs Scheme Terms and Conditions

Last updated: October 2026

The Science for Animal Welfare (hereafter ‘the Charity’) LINKs scheme is our international outreach initiative, with representatives at colleges, universities and research institutes across the globe.

Details of the scheme and the role of a LINK are available on the LINKs page of our website.

Eligibility to become a LINK

To become a LINK, an applicant must be an employee of a higher education institution that teaches animal welfare science and has an active research programme in animal welfare science. This would include a:

• University
• College
• Research institute
• Or other higher educational organisation

The LINK must understand and share the approach of Science for Animal Welfare of promoting the science of animal welfare.

The scheme is dependent on the LINK having close and regular contact with students. It is also important that students have easy access to the LINK and feel comfortable approaching them.

Students are not eligible to become LINKs.

Funding available

The Charity will fund up to £750 for eligible LINK activity. LINKs may apply for funding once per financial year (April to April).

Funds to support LINKs are limited, therefore, not all funding applications will be successful.

Applying for funding

LINKs must apply for funding from the Charity before committing to any expenditure or organising an activity.

Only applications received via the online form will be considered.

Eligible activities

We aim to support activities that encourage engagement with animal welfare and its science at the LINK organisation, and which seeks to educate and inform.

Activities may include but are not limited to:

• Events
• Lectures
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Student fundraising activities in support of Science for Animal Welfare
• Educational trips that would otherwise not have been possible as part of the usual programme of learning.

Eligibility criteria for funding applications

When reviewing an application for payment, we will consider whether:

• The core of the activity is focused sufficiently on animal welfare science.
• The activity benefits the LINK organisation, its students and or/staff.
• The activity is accessible to the widest possible audience.
• The activity is free or low-cost to attend (to ensure it is as accessible as possible for students to attend).
• The application must be submitted by the LINK at the applying university/institution.

We prefer for activities to be free to access, however, we may permit LINKs to charge a small fee to cover the provision of refreshments at an activity.

Applications received within 2 months of the start of the activity may not be considered for funding.

Use of the funding for the following purposes is not allowed:

• Provision of refreshments at an activity.
• The purchase of stationary or other sundries.
• Honorariums to speakers and to members of staff from the LINK institution who might be assisting during the activity.
• The expenses associated with a staff member traveling to their own organisation to give a talk.
• The expenses of representatives of other NGOs if they are invited to contribute to the activity.

Each application for funding is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and decided on several factors. Science for Animal Welfare reserves the right to approve or reject any part of an application at its sole discretion.

Application outcomes

Science for Animal Welfare aims to notify applicants by email within 4 weeks of the application with the outcome.

Feedback on unsuccessful applications is not usually provided.

Once notification of a successful application has been received, activities may proceed.

Requesting payment

Once an activity is complete, LINKs may request payment using the online form. A link to the form is included in the approval notification email.

The request must include copies of invoices and/or receipts for all expenses incurred.

The form will be provided to LINKs after their activity has been approved by the Charity.

Payments

We aim to make payments by online bank transfer within four weeks of receipt of the request for payment. All payments are made in £/GBP.

An email detailing the amount to be reimbursed will be sent to confirm the amount to be paid.

Reporting requirements

Following the activity, the LINK is required to provide the Charity with a brief written commentary on the activity. Describing:

• The activity (including the location of the activity, details of any speakers and/or talks, the number of people who participated/attended, etc)
• The outcomes or impact of the activity and it’s benefit to animal welfare
• The activity’s contribution to the LINK institutions staff and students’ knowledge and engagement with animal welfare science

In addition, we also request photos, videos or other material that we can use in any subsequent Science for Animal Welfare communications about the activities. These should be of high quality and included as separate attachments alongside the report.

The LINK must ensure they have permission from all involved or in attendance to share photos, videos or other materials from the activity.

Terms and conditions

1. The Charity reserves the right to amend, suspend or withdraw the funding scheme at any time. Changes will not affect funding already approved in writing unless these Terms and Conditions are breached.
2. The Charity reserves the right to suspend or remove LINK status where these Terms and Conditions have been breached, or it finds the LINK has brought the Charity into disrepute.
3. LINK status relates to an agreement between the Charity and an individual, as regards their willingness to represent and promote the Charity at their institution. It does not constitute a formal relationship between the LINK institution and the Charity. When an individual leaves the institution where the LINK has been agreed, their status as a LINK ceases.

Funding

1. Funding applications must be submitted by a current LINK.
2. Funding is only deemed approved when the applicant receives written confirmation from the Charity.
3. Funding may only be used for activities that support the understanding, promotion or advancement of animal welfare science and which meet any eligibility criteria published by the Charity.
4. The Charity reserves the right to refuse any application for funding.
5. Funding is non-transferable and may only be used for the activity described in the approved application.
6. LINKs may apply for funding once per year (April to April). Any additional activities undertaken must be funded by the LINK and/or their institution.
7. Unspent funds cannot be accrued or carried forward into the next year.

Payments

1. Requests for payment must be submitted by the LINK or, where requests are submitted on their behalf, be accompanied by a signed letter giving the LINKs authorisation to submit on their behalf.
2. The Charity will make payments by bank transfer. All payments are processed in GBP. The amount received in local currency may vary due to exchange rate fluctuations and any fees applied by banks or payment providers.
3. Funds can only be transferred into an account bearing the applicant’s name or the name of the institution which will administer the grant. Payment cannot be issued to third parties.
4. Any bank transfer fees will be deducted from the total reimbursed by the Charity.
5. The Charity reserves the right to refuse to reimburse expenses that were not approved in writing.
6. The Charity will not reimburse expenditure incurred before written approval of the funding application has been issued.
7. The Charity will not reimburse expenditure above the approved funding limit. Any additional costs are the responsibility of the LINK member and/or their institution.
8. Payment requests must be supported by appropriate invoices and/or receipts and any additional information reasonably requested by the Charity.
9. The Charity may request additional information, evidence, invoices, receipts or reports relating to the funded activity before approving payment.
10. The Charity reserves the right to refuse payment where sufficient evidence of expenditure is not provided.
11. Payment requests must be submitted within six months of the date on which the funded activity took place or concluded.
12. The Charity may require repayment of funds that were obtained through misleading information, used for unapproved purposes or paid in error.

Due dilligence

1. As a registered charity, Science for Animal Welfare has a duty under UK law and Charity Commission guidance to protect charitable funds and prevent fraud and financial misconduct. We may therefore carry out reasonable verification checks, including checks on bank account details, account ownership and supporting documentation, before making any payment. We reserve the right to withhold or delay payment where satisfactory verification cannot be obtained.

Limitation of liability

1. The Charity is in no way responsible, financially or otherwise, for the expenditure or liabilities rising out of the LINKs activity other than those specifically listed and approved.
2. The Charity accepts no responsibility for activities organised by LINKs. The LINK and their institution are solely responsible for ensuring that all necessary legal, insurance, health and safety, safeguarding, and other due diligence requirements are met.

Conflicts of interest

1. Applicants must declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest relating to a funding application. The Charity reserves the right to seek additional information and determine whether funding can be awarded.

Use of the Charity’s branding

1. LINKs are encouraged to use the Charity’s logo and branding in
   1. promotional materials, such as emails and social media posts, to promote their activity.
   2. Slides and other materials used for the activity.

The Charity’s brand guidelines are available online and its logo will be provided on request. Please email links@scienceforanimalwelfare.org.