Community Grants

This grants scheme offers ÂŁ500-ÂŁ1000 for community groups working directly with audiences that are traditionally underrepresented in science.

Grant applications for British Science Week 2024 are now closed.

Our mission

Is your community group keen to run an activity during British Science Week? Can you reach people who currently don’t engage with science? If so, we might be able to help!

The Community Grants scheme is all about helping you to engage your audiences with science in ways that are tailor-made for them. Supported by UK Research and Innovation, we’re thrilled to offer grants of ÂŁ500 and ÂŁ1000 each year to help community groups to run their own events and activities for British Science Week, expanding the number of people who enjoy and take part in science! 

The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Monday 6 November.

Types of grants

For British Science Week 2024, there are two levels of grants that community groups can apply for:

1. ÂŁ500 grants to run one or more events during British Science Week
2. ÂŁ1000 grants to run one or more events during British Science Week, as well as either preparatory or follow-up activities that will lead to continued engagement beyond British Science Week

Eligibility

To help you prepare for 2024 applications, please make sure you read the detailed Community Grants 2024 guidelines before you apply.

We offer funding to community groups that work directly with audiences traditionally underrepresented in science, including: 

• people from ethnic minority backgrounds
• people living in communities which face deprivation, including people disadvantaged in terms of education and income
• people with a disability or long-term health condition
• people living in a remote and rural location, defined as settlements of less than 10,000 people
• girls and women*.

* For community groups that work with girls and women, we prioritise those who work with at least one other underrepresented group.

Our priorities

The events that we will prioritise for funding will fit strongly with our vision of a world where science is at the heart of culture and society. These include events that:   

• are embedded in your local community, where community members are involved in some aspect of the planning or delivery of the event
• showcase the role science plays in everyday life, challenge the idea that science is separate from culture, and/or break down stereotypes of what it means to be a scientist or engage with science
• leave a legacy, providing a way for those involved to continue their engagement with science.

We look to fund community-based groups and organisations that have direct, ongoing relationships with one or more of our target audiences. Activity providers, libraries, museums and other institutions who are looking for funding to run an event with a group that meets one of our target audiences are encouraged to partner with a community group. The community groups should take ownership of the activity and apply for the grant directly themselves. These applications have a much better chance of being successful.

Please note, if you are a school or a college, you can only apply to the Kick Start Grants scheme. See the Community Grants guidelines for details on special education needs schools and other educational groups who can apply to the Community Grants scheme.  

Looking for inspiration?

Check out our Community Grants 2022 case studies!

Discover how other community groups used the funding to support activities and events during previous British Science Week, and pick up plenty of ideas for your own projects in 2024 and beyond.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. 

‘Use your British Science Week grant to benefit your local community and provide a legacy for the future.’ – Frances Sussex, Transition Buxton

 

Useful links

Community Grants 2023 guidelines

Community Grants case studies