Small Grants for UK Schools to Organise Events During British Science Week 2025

British Science Week (BSW) is an annual programme of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) events and activities.

British Science Week is entering its third decade in 2025, taking place 7-16 March, and the theme to mark the start of this new era is ‘Change and adapt’!

This year the grants have been increased from £300 to £400.

The funding is intended for schools in challenging circumstances to take part in British Science Week, widening access to events and activities and therefore helping the learning and development of children through science and engineering-based activities.

Applications are encouraged for activities or events which align with BSW priorities, including those that:

• Involve children supported by Pupil Premium, from ethnic minority backgrounds, with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or from any other groups of young people more likely to be underrepresented in STEM.
• Support girls to develop their STEM skills, understanding and passions.
• Engage children who would not normally choose to participate in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities.
• Are embedded in their local community and involve the wider community as a core audience.
• Challenge stereotypes about science and link it to the children’s everyday life beyond school.
• Support children and young people to take initiative and actively lead activities.
• Are cross-curricular and include teachers, professionals or organisations from outside STEM.
• Raise awareness of the diverse range of careers that studying STEM subjects can lead to.
• Have an impact on STEM activities throughout the year, e.g., staff CPD or launching a new STEM initiative in their school.

There are no restrictions on the activities or events that can be run using the funding and the grants can be used to cover costs such as CREST Award entry fees, consumables, small equipment, field trips, speakers, presenters, and outreach shows.

State-funded, non-selective schools or colleges in the UK can apply.

To be eligible, schools must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Over 30% of pupils eligible for pupil premium or equivalent.
• Over 30% of pupils who are from minority ethnic backgrounds.
• Be a small school based in a remote and rural location.