If you’re looking to invest in technology equipment, training, visits, etc, then funding can sometimes be an issue. Fortunately, there are a number of organisations offering grants to support STEM.
As a general rule projects are most likely to be supported if you can demonstrate that:
- you doing some fundraising of your own to support the project (match funding);
- the project is above and beyond what would normally be covered by the schools own budget;
- the project would not be able to go ahead without the grant;
- the project targets groups which are under-represented in STEM – eg low socio-economic status; girls; ethnic minority groups; pupils with disabilities; pupils living in remote/rural locations.
- a wide audience will benefit from the project – are you including parents or the wider community?
Things to keep in mind:
- It can take months for grants to be awarded; so plan ahead.
- Hold off making firm arrangements/placing orders until you know you have the money; some funds are heavily oversubscribed and you may not be awarded the full amount or anything at all.
- Applications are sometimes only accepted at certain times of the year, so if there is a fund you are interested in you might want to register with them to receive updates on when the fund is open for applications and deadlines.
- If you do decide to apply, always read the provider’s guidelines and ensure your application ‘ticks all the boxes’.
- And, if you want some help with the forms please contact us.
Outdoor Learning in Nature Fund – “The Outdoor Learning in Nature (OLIN) Fund launched in March 2018 with the aim to support more young people to have regular, frequent, structured and progressive outdoor learning experiences.” It prioritises: “outdoor learning activity involving the regular use of local parks and greenspace for outdoor learning by schools or groups and which supports one or more of the following:
- Learning in Local Greenspace Project
- Embedding the use of Beyond Your Boundary more generally
- Work with disadvantaged young people outwith the school setting.”
Sea-Changers – “raises money for a range of primarily UK based, marine conservation charities and not for profit organisations. The projects funded all fall within one of the following marine conservation areas: Marine Reserves/Protected Marine Areas; Direct Marine Clean-Up Action; Education, Campaigning and Awareness; and/or Species Protection and Research.” This could be of interest if you are planning an activity to study or clean up your local beach.
Local Giving – a funding platform which supports charitable and community groups to raise funds for their cause. Schools are not eligible to apply directly, however, it may be possible to apply by working in partnership with another organisation which meets their eligibility criteria (operate on local/regional community initiatives and are not a national charity; have a UK bank account in the name of the group; charitable aims are not solely for the advancement of religion). This might be your parent council or an after school group. Grants available of either £250 or £500.
Institute of Mathematics – “Individuals in secondary schools, Colleges of Further Education (FE) and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in the United Kingdom can apply for a grant to help with the costs of running or attending an educational activity relating to mathematics. Grants will be made up to a value of £600.”
Royal Society of Chemistry – Provides two main schemes. “Enhanced Equipment: … awarded against bids for equipment that cannot be purchased through a school’s mainstream teaching budget and which would enrich the learning experience of students in either primary (science) or secondary (chemistry) studies. In particular, this would be for equipment that supports delivery of the practical aspect of chemistry education and an application will be enhanced by a demonstration of the diversity of application of the equipment within and between student cohorts. The application will be made by a teacher at a primary or secondary school for sums ranging from £100-£500.” “Chemistry Clubs: … targeted at activities run at schools/ colleges outside the normal science timetable which may be focussed on generating interest in chemistry in all ability levels or which may provide opportunities to stretch and challenge the already able and motivated. The application will be made by a teacher at a primary or secondary school for sums up to £1000.” “Outreach Fund: provides financial support to members, individuals and organisations in order to enable them to run chemistry-based public and schools engagement activities.” Grants available up to £10,000.
British Science Association – have a number of grant schemes to support Science Week activities with grants of between £300 and £700 – apply well in advance! They also provide funding for schools taking part in the CREST Awards scheme – application deadlines apply throughout the year with grants of up to £600.
Institute of Physics – Offer two schemes,which will probably be of of most interest to schools: Public Engagement Grant Scheme with grants of up to £2000; and, Schools Grant Scheme with grants of up to £600.
Engineering Education Grant Scheme – “The Engineering Education Grant Scheme (EEGS) aims to engage young people aged 5-19 in learning about engineering and to develop the professional skills of those involved in supporting STEM learning and careers awareness. The EEGS also supports projects that improve wider engineering literacy. There are two levels of funding available. Awards of up to £5000 (inclusive of any applicable VAT) are available for standard applications to the fund, and up-to-four awards of £15,000 are available each year.”
The Royal Institution – “The Royal Institution’s STEM ‘Enrichment and Enhancement’ (E&E) grants are designed to help integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities into school practice and to support teachers’ professional development. Activities enrich or go beyond the curriculum and often use resources that are not readily available to schools. Activities can range from shows and talks to workshops and team-based challenges. Teachers can apply for a STEM E&E grant of up to £500. They must select their activity from the STEM Directory. Grants are awarded on a yearly or twice-yearly basis. Sign up to the Ri’s education newsletter to hear first when a scheme opens.”
Rocket Fund – “Rocket Fund empowers teachers to buy the latest technology, by raising money, connecting with their community and accessing corporate match funding.” Using an innovative crowd funding approach, schools can create then share their ‘pitch’ on this platform in order to raise up to £1,500 towards new technology.
Digital Xtra Fund – “The grant funding distributed by the Charity is intended to support organisations that provide young people, aged 16 or under, with the opportunities to learn computer and digital skills and to contribute to widening the provision of extracurricular digital activities across Scotland.” Check website for criteria and deadlines.
Aviva Community Fund – Provides funding from £1,000 to £25,000 under four categories including Skills for Life – “Projects that aim to help communities and individuals improve their lives by learning useful new skills, particularly digital ones. Projects in this category can help people of all ages develop skills to make their lives easier or more fulfilling. This could include budget training for families, job skills or getting up to speed with new technology.”
Edina Trust – The Edina Trust Science Grant Scheme (SGS) provides non-competitive, easy-to-access grants, for primary schools in certain areas of the UK, to be used to promote the teaching of science and gardening. Schools in D&G are eligible for a £600 grant in session 2017-18 and it is super simple to apply for. Don’t miss out!
Young Engineers & Science Clubs Scotland Small Grant Scheme – Schools can apply for up to £100 to support STEM clubs. Funds are limited but it is a very simple application form – just outline what you want to use the money for as part of the registration form.
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