The British Association for the Advancement of Science (BSA) offers grants of up to £600 (this was previously £1,000 - the scheme has a reduced budged for 2026) for UK community-based groups and organisations to run their own science activities during British Science Week, which takes place annually each March.
The aim of British Science Week is to reach out and expand audiences that engage with science and self-identify as having an interest in science, particularly where this concerns hard-to-reach sectors in UK communities who tend not to be involved in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities. The BSA particularly wants to engage with people from the following under-represented groups:
- Girls and women.
- People from ethnic minorities.
- People living in a remote and rural location, defined as settlements of less than 10,000 people.
- People with a physical or mental health condition or impairment, and
- People with low socio-economic status (SES), including people disadvantaged in terms of education and income.
Matched funding is not a requirement for this programme.
Please note that schools and colleges can only apply to the Kick Start Grants, which offers grants of up to £400. Please refer to the Community Grants guidelines for details on special education needs schools and other educational groups who can apply to the Community Grants scheme.
- Grants can be used for such things as (please note that this is not an exclusive list):
- Materials.
- Project specific staff costs.
- Publicity and promotion.
- Room hire.
- Speakers.
- Transport, and
- Volunteer expenses.
The BSA has provided a number of examples of the type of projects that could be supported, including:
- Science exhibitions in places of worship, community gardens, libraries and public houses.
- Science research projects and experiments with youth clubs and groups with special educational needs.
- Scientifically-informed theatre productions and art activities, and
- Sports science sessions with sports clubs.
Further information, guidance and an online application form can be found on the British Science Week website.
The annual deadline is usually in November.