Grant Directories

The UMUK Sound Foundation Teacher Awards provide funding for teachers employed in schools to pursue music-related continuing professional development (CPD) courses and training. 

The Ogden Trust are a charitable trust that exists to promote the teaching and learning of physics. The School Partnerships programme offers funding and support to groups of schools that are committed to enhancing physics teaching and learning. In secondary education the programme aims to: increase the number of students taking physics at GSCE, A-level and at university, particularly for under-privileged and under-represented students; support teachers of physics, particularly for those without a subject specialism and those teaching in state schools in remote rural areas, or areas of social deprivation. In primary education the programme aims to: raise the profile of science in the primary curriculum, with the emphasis on physical processes enhance teachers’ confidence in the planning, delivery and assessment of primary science (physical processes); support science subject leaders in creating a sustainable network.

The Hargreaves Foundation is a grant-making charitable foundation set up in 2020 by Peter Hargreaves and his family.  Applications are open for charities and educational institutions seeking funding to support those under the age of 18, and living with a mental health problem, physical disability or growing up in poverty through the mediums of sport and education.

The Linnean Society of London offers grants for youth-led projects in the UK, aiming to increase access to local natural spaces and encourage a deeper appreciation and understanding of nature. ​Some examples of possible proposals could be: running a school festival about nature; painting community murals showcasing biodiversity in the area; building a community garden; creating a nature walk; hiring a speaker to come and talk about local foraging.

Through the Green Schools Fund, students can apply for funding for environmental improvement schemes or services which are designed to reduce waste; improve biodiversity; reduce litter; reduce energy consumption; and enhance community transport. Priority will be given to applications that can demonstrate matching of resources; either financially (matching, crowd-funding, etc.) or ‘in kind’ through time / other resource/s.

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a leading scientific society and charitable organisation, their aim is to advance physics education, research and application by providing positive and compelling experiences of physics to public audiences through engaging and entertaining activities and events. The IOP is offering Teacher Training Scholarships of £29,000 to reward the very best graduates entering physics teacher training.

The Ernest Cook Trust is an educational charity who aim to help the nation better understand the environment. Through the Outdoor Essentials Grant is a £500 award to UK State funded Primary and Secondary Schools to enable them to get their pupils learning outdoors.

The Ogden Trust are a charitable trust that exists to promote the teaching and learning of physics. The Trust do this by enabling innovative physics teaching to take place in, and collaboratively between, schools, often forging links to universities. Through the Early Career Teacher Development programme, the trust supports physics teachers who are between their second and fifth year of teaching post qualifying. The programme is designed to support early career teachers in their subject knowledge and pedagogical development following their formal teacher training.

The Wolfson Foundation awards grants to support and promote excellence in education, science & medicine, the arts & humanities and health & disability. Through its Funding for Secondary Schools and Sixth Form Colleges funding stream the Foundation aims to support high-achieving state-funded secondary schools and sixth form colleges to improve the teaching of science, computer science, design and technology, art, languages, music and performing arts at GCSE and A-Level. Grants are generally awarded towards new builds, refurbishment and technical equipment.

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation aims to help people overcome disadvantage and lack of opportunity, so that they can realise their potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives. The Arts-based Learning Fund aims to support arts organisations working with schools, colleges and other education environments to improve the evidence base for their work, so that they can do more to enhance the lives, development and achievements of children and young people.

Speaking Volumes grants are available to libraries and schools of all types to purchase Christian books and DVDs. This can be both in the UK and abroad. Grants range from £100 to £1000 depending on the type of library. Speaking Volumes have selected books on their list on the basis that they will be interesting and useful to borrowers even if they have no prior knowledge of the Christian faith. When funds permit Speaking Volumes also consider funding other literary projects that meet with the objectives of the trust. The grant is to be used to buy books and DVDs, which can be placed in public libraries, schools, prisons, hospices, churches, cafes etc. Books must be able to be borrowed by a wide readership and cannot be used for personal gifts or re-sale

The Selective Schools Expansion Fund (SSEF) is available to selective schools that demonstrate how they’ll attract more disadvantaged pupils. The capital funding is available where there is a need for additional places, both in terms of a shortfall of secondary places in the local area and a demand from parents for more selective places; and they have ambitious but deliverable plans for increasing access for disadvantaged pupils and they have plans to work with other local schools to increase access for
disadvantaged pupils and to raise attainment.

State funded schools that cater for pupils of military service families can apply for to help meet the needs of pupils that are subject to exceptional mobility as a result of the family moving from one location to another resulting in a change of school for the child and/or have service children whose parents are subject to deployment such as on operational tours, long exercises, training courses etc. 

The Emergency school improvement fund (non-capital) provides grants to support schools facing unexpected or imminent failure.  Applications can be made for short-term support while a longer-term sustainable solution is developed, for example through the support of a new academy sponsor. Applications can also be made for longer-term whole school support where no other sustainable solution can be found to address the school failure.  Applications can be put forward by teaching schools, national support schools and multi-academy trusts to support schools that meet the eligibility criteria. Applications must have the approval of either the relevant regional schools commissioner or local authority.

The Ironmongers’ Foundation wishes to support initiatives that encourage talented young people to study science subjects at school and go on to pursue engineering-related further education or vocational training.  Preference will be given to projects engaging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Participants must be under the age of 25.  Activities must be within the UK, with a preference for urban areas outside London and particularly areas in the north and midlands with a manufacturing presence.

The Spark Awards provide grants of up to £15,000 for programmes of public engagement that inspire and involve target audiences with science and technology. Activities must focus on astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, cosmology, nuclear physics or accelerator science. Well-planned proposals for novel or innovative approaches towards engagement are welcomed. Grant funded researchers, STFC scientists and engineers, facility users, schools, museums, science communicators and amateur astronomy groups are all eligible to apply.

Friedrich Froebel was a German educator who devised a set of principles and practices which formed part of an interactive education process. The Froebel Trust promotes the principles developed by Froebel and their vision is a world in which childhood is valued in its own right and each child’s capacity and potential is recognised. The Innovation Grants programme supports the application of Froebelian principles in new areas and environments to support children between the ages of 0 and 8 to play expressively and creatively. Projects funded under the Innovation Grants programme should achieve the following outcomes: Children are supported to play expressively and creatively; New organisations have developed an understanding of Froebelian principles; The Froebel Trust’s profile and awareness has increased.

The Royal Institution and the Clothworkers' Foundation are offering UK schools grants of up to £800 to host a show, talk, workshop, challenge or other maths activity to supplement their students' classroom activities. Grants of up to £800 are being offered to eligible state-funded schools, academies and FE colleges to take part in an Enrichment and Enhancement maths activity from the STEM Directories. This is an exciting opportunity for students to take part in a mathematics activity and help integrate mathematics enrichment in school practice.

Classics for All, which aims to develop the teaching of classics such as Latin, Greek, classical civilisation and ancient history in UK state schools has opened its grants programme.The focus of the grant making is on providing direct support for schools, consortia of schools and other partners interested in engaging with Classics, especially in areas where there is limited or no access to school provision. Some of the activities CfL will support are: Start up sessions eg after school clubs; Introducing classical languages; Developing Classics; Introducing Classics to the curriculum; Classics across the curriculum and Strengthening teaching capacity.

SHINE funds and develops educational programmes to help disadvantaged children and teenagers fulfil their academic potential. These programmes include lessons after school, complementary classes on Saturdays and literacy, numeracy and study support sessions. Let teachers SHINE grants funds innovative projects idea for teaching disadvantaged young people English, maths or science. Successful ideas might involve superb after-school programmes or innovative use of technology. They could work with whole classes, small groups or individuals. Recent pilots have included peer tutoring, story-based orienteering using tablets, and using sport for kinesthetic learning.

The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is additional capital funding that academies and sixth form colleges can apply for each year. The core priority is supporting condition projects, keeping academy and sixth form college buildings safe and in good working order. Highest priority will be given to projects that address compliance and health and safety issues e.g. fire protection systems; electrical safety; asbestos removal. A small proportion of expansion projects will also be supported from high performing academies and colleges. Funding is available of between £20,000 and £4m for each project dependent upon the type of establishment. Up to 2 applications can be made only one of which may be for an expansion project.

The British Science Association, with funding from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), is providing grants for schools in challenging circumstances to organise their own science and engineering events during British Science Week. BIS aims to engage as many people as possible with science, engineering, technology and maths. Schools can use the grant to fund a wide range of activities, including but not restricted to: booking a science presenter; organising a memorable science fair; purchasing resources for cross-curricular activities; Registrations for CREST Awards; Consumables (including consumable equipment for CREST Star activities); taking a class on a trip. All activities must take place during British Science Week and must be STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) related.

The Royal Geographical Society is the learned society and professional body for geography, their work supports and promotes geographical research, education, fieldwork and expeditions, and geography in society. Two Innovative Geography Teaching grants of £1000 are awarded each year to fund innovative geography teaching at secondary level to enable imaginative, innovative or creative teaching materials to be developed. Every year, the Society identifies an area of research which is either based upon a timely issue or approach. The aim is to serve both geography pupils and the wider teaching community through the creation of teaching materials on this particular issue.

Individuals working in secondary schools, Colleges of Further Education (FE) and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) can apply for a grant to help with the costs of running or attending an educational activity relating to mathematics. The types of activities supported can include hosting a mathematics event, e.g. Maths Trails, Maths Competitions; attendance at appropriate conferences, e.g. Mathematics Works; travel expenses to attend appropriate events; supply cover required for the teacher to attend the appropriate event; etc.

Kellogg’s has teamed up with Forever Manchester to award grants of £1,000 to school Breakfast Clubs, to help them provide breakfast to those children who need it most.  Schools must be based in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. priority will be given to schools that have either 35% and above of children eligible for pupil premium funding or eligible for free school meals or schools that are based in an area which is classified as falling in the 10% of most deprived areas according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Magic Breakfast is a UK charity, dedicated to ensuring every child starts the day with the right breakfast as fuel for learning. They provide free, nutritious breakfast food (bagels, porridge, orange juice and cereals) to over 167,000 children in 960 Primary, Secondary and Special Educational Needs schools every day. They target schools where over 35% of the children are living in poverty and eligible for Free School Meals.

The IOP, in partnership with the Department for Education offers teacher training scholarships, worth £29,000 for people in England who would like to train to teach physics or physics with maths. Scholarships also include a package of benefits such as Institute membership and early career mentoring. 200 scholarships are available each year.

The Hockey Foundation primarily makes grants to a wide range of organisations that meet one of the following chosen areas of focus: Young people and hockey; Young people and sport in Milton Keynes; Enabling the development of hockey at youth or community level and Smaller Charities.
Grants can be awarded to clubs, limited companies, registered charities and other bodies however all applications must be supported by England Hockey. Awards are usually made to organisations working with young people (under 21 years old) and can be for medium to long-term projects (i.e. over one year) or for shorter-term one-off projects. A maximum limit of 3 years of support can be provided (either an instalment grant or three separate applications).

The Trust makes one-off and recurrent grants to large UK organisations and small local projects for a wide variety of causes. Although grants can be awarded UK wide, the trust favours local causes in Oxfordshire. Trustees meet 3 times a year to consider applications.

The Ouseley Trust is a registered charity set up to promote and maintain to a high standard the choral services of the Church of England, the Church in Wales and the Church of Ireland. It does this by making grants of up to £5,000 towards fees to cathedrals, choral foundations, parish churches, choir schools and other relevant institutions. The largest grant was for £50,000 for the endowment of a cathedral choristership bearing Ouseley's name.

The Trust funds projects concerned with the relief of poverty or distress, particularly those relating to children, and the advancement of the evangelical Christian faith, both at home and abroad. The Beatrice Laing Trust offers grants to UK registered charities working throughout the UK, in developing countries and overseas. Grants are generally awarded on a one-off basis for capital purposes such as the purchase or construction of new premises, building extension, redevelopment or refurbishment, or the purchase of equipment and vehicles.

The object of the Alice McCosh Trust is to advance education by providing or assisting with grants for work or study related to natural history and/or the environment. It is anticipated that the Trustees will award a grant in the region of £600 to £1000. The grant could, for example, cover the cost of a school field trip or project, an expedition as part of a research project or the development of new teaching materials for schools or institutes of higher education.

The Pye Charitable Settlement makes grants to schools and charities for projects in Oxfordshire and its surrounds. The trustees have wide discretion as to the type of projects funded. These include (but this is not exhaustive) Environmental; Adult Health and Care; Children's Health and Care Youth Organisations; Education (Nursery, Primary, Secondary or Higher/Institutions); and Heritage and the Arts

The Clore Poetry and Literature Awards fund poetry and literature initiatives for children and young people, under the age of 19, across the UK. Through the programme, schools, FE colleges, community groups, libraries and other arts/cultural organisations can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to support participatory learning projects and programmes focused on literature, poetry and creative writing for under 19s. The aim is to provide children and young people with opportunities to experience poetry and literature in exciting and compelling ways, in and out of school.

The Classical Association offers grants to support educational projects related to classical studies, particularly for teachers and educational institutions. Grants can fund activities like field trips, events, workshops, or other initiatives that promote the study of ancient languages, history, and culture. UK-based teachers, schools, and universities can apply, with priority given to projects that widen access to classical subjects or engage a broader range of students.

The Armourers & Brasiers' Company offers grants to UK schools to support science education. The grants provide £600 for primary schools and £1,000 for secondary schools, enabling them to purchase science equipment, run enrichment projects, or participate in science events and competitions. The programme aims to enhance practical science learning, with a focus on materials science. Schools can apply for these grants annually but cannot reapply in consecutive years.

Through the scheme grants are available to support teachers, scientists and engineers help develop science projects. The aim is to make the teaching of science more interesting within primary and secondary schools. The Partnership grants scheme forms partnerships to allow teachers to increase their scientific knowledge and to give scientists and engineers the chance to develop their communication skills and engage with enquiring young minds. Applications must be made together with the partner, and need to be signed by the teacher, partner and schools' headteacher.

The Ray Y. Gildea Jr Award, offered by the Royal Geographical Society, supports innovative teaching and learning in higher and secondary education. It provides grants of up to £1,000 for projects that focus on geography, including research, development, or pilot projects that enhance education in this field.

The Japan Society Small Grants (formerly Japan 21 Awards) are made by the Society to enable small scale projects and events related to Japan to take place in the UK. Applications may be made by organisations as well as individuals who are based in the UK for projects and events related to Japan and Japanese culture.  The maximum award is £1,000 and should not, in principle, cover more than 50% of the total budget. The Japan Society particularly encourages applications from those who are involved in organising grassroots projects and from schools and educational establishments.  Applications can be made at any time.

The Jerusalem Trust makes available to schools a number of grants to support the purchase of resources for teaching Christianity in Religious Education. These can include textbooks, teacher resources, artefacts, videos, tapes and CD-roms for use in RE lessons. The scheme is open to state secondary schools in England and Wales, including middle and upper. There are no primary school grants available.  The maximum size of any grant is £600 and applications can be submitted at any time.

State funded secondary and primary schools as well as dedicated schools catering for those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) that do not have or want to improve their libraries can apply for funding through the Foyles Foundation Schools Library Programme. This programme recognises that there is no statutory requirement for schools to have a library and that many school libraries are in a desperate situation through underfunding and underdevelopment. Encouraging children to read widely from an early age will provide a major boost to improving literacy levels, which is a current key educational objective. Priority will be given to funding library books. The Foundation will also consider contributions towards library software, necessary IT equipment and specialist seating/desks. Preference will be given to schools which can clearly demonstrate that their library can be maintained and renewed in the future. Applications can be submitted at any time.

The Ironmongers' Company aims to help people who are disadvantaged to improve their ability to make the most of life. Projects funded must focus on children and young people up to the age of 25, consist of educational opportunities that develop learning, motivation and skills and have clear objectives to be met within a planned timetable. The Company is particularly interested in enabling primary age children to develop a strong foundation for the future.  Grants are in the region of a few hundred pounds to £10,000. The appeals committee meets twice a year at the end of March and October. The deadlines for receipt of applications are 15 December and 31 July respectively.

The Field Studies Council is an independent educational charity committed to raising awareness about the natural world. They work through a network of 17 residential and day Centres in the UK providing courses for schools and colleges at all levels in addition to adult Individuals & Families courses, outreach education, training and consultancy. The Kids Fund aims to bring environmental understanding to disadvantaged young people by attending a course at a Field Studies Council centre. It helps disadvantaged young people to attend a course who may otherwise be excluded due to some form of disadvantage - health, mobility, deprivation or financial. Funding will normally be up to 75% of the cost of your group's course to an FSC Field Centre. Applications can be submitted at any time with decisions being made in February, June and October.

The World Traders supports a range of educational projects in line with its objectives: To promote, encourage and foster World Trade in all its aspects; To further education training and advancement courses in connection with world trading activities and To establish and upkeep scholarships, bursaries, prizes and research. Proposals are invited from a variety of non profit - making organisations involved in educational projects, as well as other educational and training institutions. Financial support for any one project will normally be in the range of £1,000 to £5,000 per annum. Amounts given by the Company should not represent more than 50% of total project funding (in terms of money not resources).

The Foundation makes grants for group music making, especially involving young people in projects incorporating composition and creative ideas. Projects in and out of schools or in community situations will be considered. Grants are likely to be in the region of £500 - £3,000. Grants awarded will be made towards creative musical activity, not instruments or equipment. Projects might be first-time initiatives or the development of existing projects and must be based in the UK. The Trustees will consider applications for first-time initiatives as well as the development of existing projects. The Trustees generally hold one meeting a year, in the autumn

The Ogden Trust is a grant making charitable trust that exists to promote the teaching and learning of physics. The Trustees do this  by enabling innovative physics teaching to take place in schools, often forging links to universities. Trustees also address the shortage of physics teachers in the UK by funding programmes that encourage young graduates and career changers to go into teaching. Details of all available programmes are available on the funder's website.

Grants are available to support projects that increase the understanding and appreciation, particularly among young people, of the environmental, social, and economic potential of trees, woodlands and forests and of the link between the tree and everyday wood products. Eligible project costs include hire of people, for example, supply teachers, advice, training hire or purchase of materials, machinery or services and paying for printing and publicity for projects. There is also a special grant for development work. Only Forest Education Initiative Cluster Groups are eligible to apply.

UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and supports individuals who have their social ventures firmly rooted in delivering positive social change. It operates a unique model by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resources; from awards of funding to ongoing advice, networking and practical support. UnLtd resource community entrepreneurs to start-up; support those with more established social ventures to scale up; and are committed to developing an eco-system of support to make it easier for those who need help to find it. UnLtd offers a number of programmes with varying levels of funding and support. Please refer to the funder's website for details.

The Universal Music UK Sound Foundation provides grants of up to £1,000 for schools in the UK and Ireland to purchase musical instruments or equipment. The grants are aimed at schools that teach the national curriculum, enhancing access to music education. However, private music centers, businesses, and community projects are not eligible. Applications are accepted twice a year, with deadlines in March and October. Schools must apply individually, and returning applicants must wait for two rounds before reapplying.

The Goldsmiths' Company is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London. Funding is available for charitable works in the areas of  General Welfare, Medical / Disabled and Culture.  Where charities are members, branches or affiliates of an association, appeals are normally accepted from the governing body or head office only.  In the case of church restoration, block grants are made to the National Churches Trust and therefore appeals from individual churches will not normally be considered. Similarly a block grant is made to Children’s Hospices UK, and therefore appeals from individual hospices will not normally be considered.