Grant News
The Royal Society has launched a £1.4 million scheme to strengthen practical science education in schools across the UK.
Funded by the Julia Rausing Trust, the Science Community Grant scheme will award up to £105,000 each to ten STEM organisations. These organisations will partner with schools and colleges in areas of greatest need to deliver hands-on, investigative science projects. Over three academic years, each organisation will collaborate with at least 25 schools, enabling students to carry out term-long investigations supported by STEM professionals.
The scheme aims to:
- Support UK schools and colleges in undertaking more hands-on, inquiry-based learning and investigative STEM projects
- Allow students the opportunity to experience how science is done in practice
- Provide continuing professional development (CPD) training for teachers to enhance skills and confidence in running practical investigations
- Embed a collaborative community among schools and colleges to help support the delivery of practical science activities and to develop practical investigation and technical skills within students
- Embed a culture of lasting partnership between schools and colleges and STEM professionals
- Embed an outreach culture within universities or industry and develop the engagement skills of early-career STEM researchers
Funds may also be used for:
- Equipment to enable schools to undertake small-scale investigations
- School and college expenses related to their participation, such as teacher cover and travel costs
- STEM professional costs associated with training and travel costs for school/college visits
- Data collection and evaluation
Online information sessions will be held throughout November, December, and January. Sessions can be booked through the Royal Society’s Event portal.
Expressions of interest should be submitted initially. Successful organisations will be invited to submit full applications by the 27th February 2026.