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
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.
http://www.coe.int/en/web/european-youth-foundation/deadlines;jsessionid=2720AAF03B233E87A0BF067D66515F4E
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
Arts & Business Scotland’s has launched a new Culture & Business Fund. The fund aims to support arts and heritage organisations to build new business sector partnerships and encourage businesses to sponsor arts and heritage activity within Scotland. The fund will provide pound for pound match funding to partnerships between arts or heritage organisations and business sponsors of up to £40,000. In-kind and cash sponsorship, (from the sponsor’s own funds, goods or services) are eligible to be included as contributions. There are two application tiers, a fast-track application form for match funding of between £1,000 and £3,000 excluding VAT and a separate application form for match funding of over £3,000 and up to £40,000. Applications are accepted at any time via the Arts & Business Scotland website.
- Heritage organisations have until the 8th June 2017 to submit an expression of interest to the Great Place Scheme for Scotland. This pilot scheme will fund projects in areas where there is a commitment to embed heritage in local plans and decision-making by strengthening networks between heritage, civic and community organisations, and by involving citizens and local businesses. Between 5 and 10 places across Scotland will receive funding of £100,000 to £1m over a 3-year period. A place could be a city or town and its hinterland; a single local authority area; wards from one burgh or different burghs; a grouping of rural towns/ townships; an island or group of neighbouring islands; a national park or other designation eg. a landscape designation, World Heritage Site or conservation area. (A place can be a city or town and its hinterland; a single local authority area; Wards from one burgh or different burghs; a grouping of rural towns/ townships; An island or group of neighbouring islands; A national park or other designation eg. a landscape designation, World Heritage Site or conservation area.
- Postcode Community Trust (England, Scotland and Wales)
Postcode Community Trust will re-open for applications to its grants programme on the 1st August 2017.
Through its grants programme, the Trust will provide grants of £500 – £20,000 (£10,000 in Wales) for projects that benefit communities through grass-roots sports, arts and recreation programmes and healthy living initiatives that improve a community’s physical and mental health. Funding is available to registered charities, voluntary organisations, community interest companies and social enterprises. Please note that only registered charities can apply for grants above £2,000. Previous projects supported include Adel Pre-School in Leeds which received a grant of £20,000 to construct an outdoor play area with specific focus on sensory elements; and Blantyre Soccer Academy which received a grant of £13,070 to purchase new training equipment and other items allowing them to expand their youth outreach programmes. The closing date for submitting Expressions will be the 18th August 2017.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to help churches of any Christian denomination develop high quality sustainable repair and community projects. Priority in this round will be given to applications from the North East of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as from Baptist and Presbyterian churches. Buildings must have been built as churches originally and 50% of the funds needed must be in place. The funding can be used to diagnose issues affecting the church; test the viability of proposed solutions to improve sustainability; and develop guiding policies and plans that will be implemented through an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, or other large church heritage funders. The next deadline for applications is the 6th September 2017.
Note: Year 3 of the 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures Programme is just about to be launched. Watch our Sciences Glow Yammer feed and Twitter feed @EdScotSciences to avoid missing out!
Girls who complete the 1000 girls, 1000 Futures programme are invited to attend a three day Global Summit, hosted by the New York Academy of Science (NYAS). This conference is held in New York World Trade Centre 7 and unites students from various programmes facilitated by NYAS. Fortunately, I was able to combine a family holiday with attending the conference, to give me this fantastic opportunity. The biggest challenge actually proved to be overcoming the heat! While taking the subway downtown in the morning from 63rd Street to lower Manhattan sounds extremely glamorous, doing it in temperatures of over 100 degrees is anything but! However, spending three days listening to world class speakers, in the company of students from around the world in the prestigious setting of the World Trade Centre was an amazing climax to a wonderful trip.
While 1000 girls is open to students from around the world I was delighted to find that there were three other Scottish girls (Alice Ridely, Zoe Porter, Hannah Strang) in attendance, though surprisingly no one from England! We became good friends during the three days, taking the opportunity to socialize at the informal get-togethers, at the end of each day.
