The build up to British Science Week is in full swing as Kick Start Grants and Community Grants are open for applications!
Schools and community groups can apply for Kick Start Grants and Community Grants respectively to fund, organise and run their own events and activities during British Science Week, which is taking place on 7-16 March 2025.
These grants, supported by UK Research and Innovation, cater for audiences who, for all sorts of reasons, do not often get the chance for hands-on engagement with science. The funding allows people to participate and enjoy this annual celebration of all things science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)!
Applications for both Kick Start Grants and Community Grants close at 4.59 pm on Tuesday 5 November 2024.
Kick Start Grants for schools
If you’re keen to get your students and the wider school community involved in British Science Week 2025, but don’t have spare funds to hand, our Kick Start Grant of £400 could be for you.
In previous years, there have been different amounts of money available to apply for, depending on the type of event. This year we have simplified the process and created one grant of £400 – a £100 increase on the most common grant usually given in past years.
We’re particularly excited to receive applications for projects that challenge science stereotypes, are cross-curricular, and engage students who are otherwise underrepresented in STEM. For inspiration, take a look at our Kick Start Grants case studies to see how schools made the most of the funding during the latest British Science Week.
Feel free to use the theme for British Science Week 2025 ‘Change and adapt’ as inspiration for your events, although there is no obligation to!
Kick Start Grants support schools in challenging circumstances to devise and run events and activities as part of British Science Week, and show their pupils and students how wide-ranging (STEM) is, there’s much more to science than white coats and labs!
All eligible state-funded schools are welcome to apply for any of the Kick Start Grants. Consult 2025 grants application guidelines for full details on eligibility and how to apply in the FAQ.
If you receive a Kick Start Grant, you’ll also receive £350 worth of free CREST Awards to use either during the Week or the rest of the school year.
When you apply for a Kick Start Grant, you’ll get the opportunity to join the British Science Association’s Engage Teacher Network, comprising a community of 2,000+ teachers (and increasing) who are committed to delivering science engagement activities for all students and who understand the barriers and potential solutions to doing so in a school in challenging circumstances.
These grants are part of our Engage offer, which was launched on 18 September 2023. The Engage community is a space for teachers to share ideas, access free resources and apply for grants to help bring science to life for all children and young people.
Find out more about the Engage community
Community Grants for groups
Our Community Grants are designed to help community groups engage their audiences with science in ways that are tailor-made to fit them. We’re offering grants of £500 and £1000 to support these groups to run their own events and activities for British Science Week 2025, growing the number of people who enjoy and take part in science.
Science is so fantastically broad, that knowing where to start with planning an event can be difficult, but a little bit of inspiration can go a long way. Read our Community Grants case studies to discover how other community groups used the funding to support their own activities and events during previous British Science Weeks. The theme this year is ‘Change and adapt’, why not use that as a jumping off point?
Read our Community Grants case studies for inspiration
To be eligible, applicants must represent a community-based group, club or organisation that works directly with audiences who are traditionally underrepresented and currently not engaged in science activity. Read Community Grants 2025 guidelines for all the information you need regarding eligibility and how to apply.
Applications for both Kick Start Grants and Community Grants close at 4.59 pm on Tuesday 5 November 2024.
Applications will need to be submitted via our online forms. Please visit the Grants page to apply.