posted by Rhonda McFarlane, Funding Officer, Economic Development
School Grants to Promote Physics (UK)
UK schools and colleges can apply for grants of up to £600 for small-scale projects or events linked to the teaching or promotion of physics and engineering to pupils aged 5-19. Grants can be used to support a wide range of projects such as school based science weeks, extracurricular activities, science clubs, careers event or a visit from a working physicist or engineer. Grants may be used for the following project-related purposes: materials / resources; transport; marketing and publicity; other purposes deemed appropriate by the judges; and supply cover (in certain circumstances). Previous projects to receive funding include Ampleforth College for a visit to Jodrell Bank Radio Observatory; and St John’s High School for a Practical Rocketry workshop to design a water propelled rocket. The closing date for applications is the 1st June 2019.
Funding for Sensory Equipment for Schools that Cater for Pupils with Special Education Needs (UK)
SEN Schools can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to enable them to purchase a range of sensory equipment to help enhance the pupils’experience at school. To be eligible schools need to cater for young people under the age of 19 who have a physical/ sensory/ learning disability. Schools that cater for socially disadvantaged children or mainstream schools for children with behavioural problems are unable to apply. The funding is being made available through the Lords Taverners, the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity. Schools are required to pay a self-help contribution of around 25% of the total cost of the package. There are no application deadlines and applications can be submitted at any time.
London Mathematical Society – Small Grants for Education (UK)
Grants of up to £800 are available to stimulate interest and enable involvement in mathematics from Key Stage 1 (age 5+) to Undergraduate level and beyond. The funding is being made available through the London Mathematical Society’s Small Grants for Education scheme and aims to enhance and enrich mathematical study beyond the curriculum; engage the public with mathematics; and encourage unusual ways of communicating mathematics. There are four application rounds each year and the next closing date for applications is the 30th April 2019.
Funding for Schools Science Projects (UK)
Any UK primary or secondary school teacher can apply for a grant of up to £3,000 to buy equipment to run a STEM investigation project for students aged between 5 and 18. There needs to be two project partners to the scheme with the primary applicant being a school and the second partner an individual that is a practicing scientist/engineer currently working in a STEM related profession, such as a researcher or analyst. The closing date for applications is the 28th February 2019.
Grants for to Enable Disabled People to Play Tennis (UK)
Special schools as well as coaches, clubs, disability groups, associations and individuals can apply for grants from the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust for equipment and specialist wheelchairs to enable disabled people to play tennis. Funding of up to £1,500 is available for groups and clubs and up to £500 for individuals. Individuals can receive support for a sports wheelchairs, tennis rackets, coaching lessons with an Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) licensed coach or course fees for official LTA development/Coaching courses. Groups can apply for wheelchairs, court hire, coaching fees and equipment packages which will include, rackets, balls, mini net, and coaching aids such as cones and throw down marker lines. In the case of wheelchairs a deposit will be required; for individuals the amount of deposit required will depend on the wheelchair type requested, clubs will need to provide a deposit of around £250 per chair. The next closing date for applications in this round is the 15th March 2019.
Funding for Chemistry Clubs at Schools and Colleges (UK)
Schools and colleges can apply for grants of up to £1,000 to run chemistry activities. The funds which are made available by the Royal Society of Chemistry, are targeted at activities run at schools and colleges outside the normal science timetable. Activities should be focused on generating interest in chemistry in all ability levels or which may provide opportunities to stretch and challenge the already able and motivated students. Applications from existing chemistry clubs looking to expand/ enhance activities would be welcome as would those from schools and colleges interested in starting a new club. An application would need to indicate how the longevity of the proposal was ensured and how best practice and experience from it might be shared within and between other (perhaps feeder) schools. The application must be made by a teacher at a primary or secondary school. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Funding for Projects that Promote a Better Understanding of the Environment and Countryside (UK)
UK based not for profit organisations and schools can apply for funding to the Nineveh Charitable Trust for a broad range of projects and activities that promote a better understanding of the environment and countryside, whilst facilitating improved access, education and research. Whilst the Trust does not specify a minimum or maximum grant amount that can be applied for, an analysis of previous grants would suggest a maximum of £5,000 per year for up to three years. Previous projects supported include The Herefordshire Wildlife Trust which received a grant of £3,282 to support 10 sessions of their Wild Forest schools project in Queenswood Country Park; Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust which received a grant of £8,300 to educate people about the environment of 4 local streams, to identify pollution sources and clean up; and St Joseph’s Specialist School & College which received a grant of £1,000 for basic gardening equipment to help renovate the grounds of ‘Longbarn’, a residential home. Applications can be submitted at any time
Funding for Projects That Improve Local Life in Rural Communities (England, Scotland and Wales)
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for projects that will provide an on-going service for rural communities in an off-grid location (any location that is not connected to a mains or natural gas grid and uses an alternative energy source). Grants can support a wide range of projects that benefit the wider community from redecorating a community centre or village hall to new equipment for youth clubs, schools, sports teams or scout groups. Initial application is followed by a public vote on the Calor Rural Community Fund website. The 2019 competition opens on the 5th March 2019 with pre-registration recommended
