posted by Carol Lyon, Schools and Learning Support Officer
Competition to Uncover Space Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (UK)
Young people between the ages of 11 and 22 have until the 7th March 2017 to come up with ideas on how to use satellite data to improve life on Earth.
The SatelLife Challenge, run by the UK Space Agency is looking for inspirational ideas from either individuals or teams linking satellite and space data and its application to everyday life. Examples could include:
- Using satellite data to tackle loneliness amongst elderly people
- Looking at changes to green spaces in towns
- Identifying exercise routes based on traffic flows.
The competition aims to support the development of science, data handling and technological skills and is split into three age groups (11 -16; 16 -18; 18 -22), there are five prizes of £5,000 for each age category with an overall winner receiving £10,000. The winners from each category will be able to pitch their idea to a panel from the space sector who will offer prizes, which could include mentoring, work experience and even the development of the idea into reality.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/competition-to-uncover-space-entrepreneurs-of-tomorrow
Funding for Summer Playscheme Grants Programme (UK)
Registered charities that want to run summer play schemes for children between the ages of 5 and 16 can apply for grants of between £500 and £1,000.
The funding is made available by the Woodward Charitable Trust which supports about 35 playschemes each year that run for a minimum of 2 weeks or 10 days across the summer holidays. Preference is given to:
- Small local playschemes that provide a wide-ranging programme of activities
- Schemes that involve a large number of children
- Schemes catering for those from disadvantaged backgrounds or that have a disability
- Schemes that are inclusive such as projects that work with children from a range of backgrounds, abilities and races
- Schemes where past users are encouraged to come back and help as volunteers.
Grants can only be paid to registered charities. Organisations that are not a registered charity can still apply but need the agreement of a registered charity to accept the grant on their behalf.
The deadline for receipt of applications for the Summer Playschemes is the 7th April 2017.
http://www.woodwardcharitabletrust.org.uk/
Funding to Promote a More Resilient and Fairer Economic System (UK)
The Friends Provident Foundation provides financial support to projects that promote a more resilient, sustainable and fairer economic system.
Support is available for projects that aim to:
- Transform corporate behaviour and financial systems
- As well as for projects that build local economic resilience.
Trustees will consider applications for grants, loans, underwriting or other forms of financial support.
Previous organisations supported include:
SUSTAIN, which received a grant of £75,000 for a concerted three-year campaign, drawing on the support of many people and organisations to achieve changes in government policy and industry practice to create a million good jobs though better farming and land-use.
ECHO, a trading network of over 500 organisations in East London that uses time as the currency, rather than money. This project received a grant of £140,000 and aims to develop and refine the infrastructure for local, sustainable Echo systems at national scale.
The next closing date for applications is noon on the 3rd May 2017.
http://www.friendsprovidentfoundation.org/programme-overview/
Ernest Cook Trust Grants Programme (UK)
Schools, charities and not for profit organisations wishing to encourage young people’s interest in the countryside; and literacy, numeracy and science can apply for funding to the Ernest Cook Trust (ECT).
The Trust operates two grant making programmes. The small grants programme (under £4,000) and a large grants programme (grants in excess of £4,000). Applications to the small grants programme can be made at any time.
Previous projects supported include:
Fleet Infant School in Hampshire which received a grant of £1,495 to buy Numicon teaching resources to raise numeracy levels for the school’s 300 pupils
Rook Lane Arts Trust in Frome, Somerset which received a grant of £8, 500 to develop a project with 17 local schools and family centres to inspire literacy skills in children aged 8 to 11 – particularly boys
Swiss Cottage School which received a grant of £7,272 towards an art tutor and resources for an out-of-hours learning project, ensuring learning throughout the year for its 237 special needs pupils.
Applications to the small grants programme can be made at any time.
The next closing date for applications for the large grants programme is the 31st July 2017.
http://ernestcooktrust.org.uk/grants/
Grants to Enhance the Teaching of Mathematics (UK)
The London Mathematical Society has announced that Mathematics Teachers in the UK can apply for grants of up to £400 to attend specific one or two day conferences/events organised by professional mathematical organisations.
The aim of the grant is to facilitate mathematical professional development to allow teachers in UK schools/educational institutions to develop their subject knowledge. The grant can contribute to the costs of registration for the course and a proportion of the travel and subsistence expenses of attendees. Any application for a grant under this scheme must be made by a teacher of mathematics or ITE provider based in the UK. The grants are open to teachers of mathematics from primary school to A-Level or equivalent (inclusive of STEP/AEA).
The next closing date for applications is the 30th April 2017.
https://www.lms.ac.uk/grants/teacher-cpd-grants
School Grants to Promote Physics (UK)
The Institute of Physics has announced that the next closing date for applications is the 1st May 2017. UK schools and colleges can apply for grants of up to £600 from the Institute of Physics for small-scale projects or events linked to the teaching or promotion of physics. Particularly encouraged are projects linked to astronomy, space and particle physics. Activities supported by the grant can include:
- Running a science week activity
- Organising a visit to or from a working physicist
- Supply cover
- Transport
- Marketing and publicity
- Materials/resources; etc.
Previous projects to receive funding include:
- Ampleforth College for a Visit to Jodrell Bank Radio Observatory.
- St John’s High School for a Practical Rocketry workshop to design a water propelled rocket.
The next closing date for applications is the 1st May 2017.
http://www.iop.org/about/grants/school/page_38824.html
Aspiring Communities Fund Opens for Applications (Scotland)
The Aspiring Communities Fund has re-opened for applications. The fund is part of the £29 million of funding available under the Fairer Scotland Action Plan and will support projects that promote innovative community-led initiatives.
A total of £18.9 million is available. The Fund will help community groups and third sector organisations in the most deprived communities to develop and deliver long-term solutions that address local priorities and needs. The aim of this funding is to strengthen and empower communities, increase levels of economic activity, stimulate inclusive growth, local service provision and inclusion.
The closing date for applications is the 7th April 2017.
There will be a series of information events around the country to enable those interested in this fund to learn more about it from Scottish Government officials and network with other groups interested in the fund. For further information, please click on the link below.
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/15300/ESFTPSI/AspiringCommunities
British Ecological Society Outreach Grants (UK)
The British Ecological Society has announced that its Outreach Grants programme re-opened for applications on the 16th January 2017 with a deadline to apply on the 22nd March 2017.
Through the programme, individuals and organisations such as schools, museums, libraries and community groups will be able to apply for grants to promote ecological science to a wide audience. The funding is available for projects that increase public understanding of, and engagement with ecology. Applications from museums and schools are welcome but projects must involve significant outreach beyond schools. Projects aimed solely at delivering curriculum to school children will not be considered. The maximum award is £2,000. However, the award may be used as part-funding for larger projects involving other sponsors.
http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/funding/outreach-grants/
National Marine Aquarium – Grants Programme (UK)
The next closing date for the National Marine Aquarium Grants Programme is the 21st April 2017.
The National Marine Aquarium awards grants for projects that seek to drive marine conservation through engagement. These projects may be science-based but could equally be based around arts or drama – indeed, the more innovative the better, as long as they make a contribution to raising awareness of the marine environment. Grants awarded so far have been in the region of £1,200 to £5,000 and it is likely that future awards will be for similar amounts. Applications can be submitted by individuals, community groups, schools, or other conservation charities.
Previous projects supported include:
The “Marine Wildlife Champions Network” – Devon Wildlife Trust which received a grant of £4,000 for two years to build up a network within local schools to encourage children to take positive actions in preserving marine habitats and species.
Waste to Waves received £1,100 to support the exhibition of ‘Respect’- a fully recycled plastic bottle boat, made by the Cornish Primary School children at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall (NMMC) in Falmouth for 10 weeks.
http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/marine-conservation/grant-opportunities/
European Youth Foundation Grants (UK)
The European Youth Foundation (EYF), which is an independent, international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to the positive development of children and young people has announced that the next deadline for applications to its grant making programme is the 1st April 2017.
Two types of grants are available during this funding round. Grants of up to €20,000 for international youth meeting of young people or youth leaders; and grants of up to €50,000 towards an organisations / networks work programme for the following year.
For more information on the funding available and the application criteria, please click on the link below.
The Community Trees Fund 2017 (UK)
The Tree Council has funds available to assist community groups proposing to undertake tree planting projects during National Tree Week (25th November – 3rd December 2017) or as soon as possible afterwards.
The Community Trees Fund is open to projects where the total tree planting costs are between £100 and £700. The Tree Council will fund up to 4 fruit trees (but no more than that) on semi-vigorous, vigorous and very vigorous rootstocks. Community Groups wishing to plant more than 4 fruit trees, please apply to the Orchard Windfalls Fund. Eligible costs include the cost of the trees and any reasonable cost of necessary supports and aids to establishment (stakes, ties and guards, plus fertiliser, mulch and soil amelioration but only where conditions make this appropriate). The project costs should total at least £100 in order for the application to be eligible for consideration.
The Tree Council needs to be certain that the project organisers have consent to plant on the area of land proposed and a guarantee that the trees will be secure for at least 5 years. Only community groups may apply and Children under the age of 16 must be actively involved in the planting process. Applicants will need to contribute 25% match funding to the project.
The closing date for applications is the 31st March 2017.
http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/grants/community-trees
LIFE Preparatory Projects for the European Solidarity Corps (UK / Europe)
The European Commission has issued a joint call for proposals under its Environmental Programme (LIFE) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). A total of €3.3 million is available to support the deployment of European Solidarity Corps that contribute to strengthening the Union’s capacity to provide volunteering services for young people across the European Union.
The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) which was recently conceived by the Commission, aims to offer people under 30 in Europe the chance to support a non-governmental organisation (NGO), local authority or private company active in addressing challenging situations across the European Union. The activities of the volunteers funded through this call for proposals will target mainly Natura 2000 sites, species protected by the Birds and Habitats Directive and ongoing LIFE projects. This call for proposals is open to public, not for profit and profit based organisations. There is no minimum or maximum level of funding and the European Commission will finance up to 60% of eligible project costs.
The closing date for applications is the 7th March 2017.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/life2016/index.htm#eusolidarity
Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club Grants (England, Scotland & Wales)
The Greggs Foundation currently supports 380 breakfast clubs throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Schools that are interested in opening a breakfast club at your school must be able to show that at least 40% of your pupils qualify for free school meals and that the school serves a disadvantaged community. School should able to attract adult volunteers to help run the scheme and attendance at the club must be free for all pupils. The Foundation uses the money to support breakfast clubs through an initial start-up grant for equipment such as chest freezers to store food items or toys and activities for the club. Greggs Foundation also makes a payment each term towards other food items and Greggs plc donates bread from the nearest shop.
Recently set up breakfast clubs include:
- “clubs” at Hillside Community Primary School, in Skelmersdale which received funding of £600 for its breakfast club which around 45 young people attend each day.
- Swalwell Primary School, in Gateshead where nearly 50% of school children are entitle to free meals received a grant of £1,100.
Although applications can be made at any time, there is currently a waiting list for funding whilst new sponsorship partners are being identified.
