Grant News

Through the Royal Society of Chemistry's Outreach Fund (RSC), individuals, researchers, and organisations such as museums, schools, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, arts groups, and libraries can apply for grants to run chemistry-based events and activities for public audiences and schools.

Through the Fund, the RSC aims to support projects or programmes that: 

• Develop chemists’ public engagement and science communication skills - building capacity and opportunities for chemists and chemical scientists to engage with schools and public audiences
• Engage with school students - inspiring and raising aspirations of student audiences to nurture a future generation passionate about the chemical sciences
• Engage with public audiences - involving a wide range of people in relevant contemporary issues in the chemical sciences
• Provide under-represented audiences, communities and places with inspiring chemistry engagement opportunities, delivered or coordinated by skilled people

The RSC are currently prioritising funding for projects that have one or more of the following outcomes:

• Under-represented audiences are better connected with or represented by chemical science
• RSC members have opportunities to develop and/or use their engagement skills
• The project or partnership supports positive social outcomes such as an increase in wellbeing, improved confidence, and/or an increased sense of belonging
• Families and intergenerational audiences connect with chemistry in fun, creative and participatory ways
• Adults engage with chemists and chemistry to empower them to access, connect and respond to chemistry and societal issues

Two levels of funding are available:

• Small grants of up to £5,000
• Large grants of £5,001 - £10,000

Previously funded projects include:

• Kents Hill Park School received a grant to launch and run a science club.
• "Cool chemistry at the seaside" where the Society awarded a grant to volunteers in Ramsgate who transformed an empty town-centre shop into a makeshift theatre, delivering free chemistry demonstrations to anyone. 

The Outreach Fund is open for applications throughout 2026, with rolling deadlines. The final deadline is 5pm on 2 October 2026.

Useful Links:

Application Guidance

Past Projects

Application Hints and Tips (AI Generated)