About
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is a professional membership body and learned society that advances excellence in the chemical sciences. Working with a global community, the RSC aims to create a future that is more open, more green, and more equal. The organization supports chemistry through scientific publishing (journals and books), policy and campaigning work on sustainability and science culture, professional standards and recognition programs, funding and career support, education resources for teachers, and community events. It also operates the Chemists' Community Fund to support members in need.
Funding Opportunities
Technician Skills Development Grant
The Technician Skills Development Grant supports technicians working in all sectors (for example industry, academia, education or research) to undertake short to mid-term visits to organisations overseas or within their current country of residence, with the aim of developing skills to support their career progression. The grant offers several funding options depending on the duration and location of visits. Applicants can request funding for one-off visits up to 3 months or multiple visits to the same organisation over a 2-year period. The grants contribute towards return travel to the host organisation, accommodation, and subsistence during the visit. The Royal Society of Chemistry has funded this grant through the kind legacy of former Fellow Mr James Diamond CBE FRSC. Note: The grant is currently closed for new applications.
Teacher Training Scholarships
The Royal Society of Chemistry Teacher Training Scholarship scheme provides funding for talented individuals entering chemistry teacher training in England. Each year up to 120 tax-free scholarships are awarded to support individuals pursuing Initial Teacher Training (ITT) leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The scheme is run in partnership with the Department for Education and provides both financial support (£31,000 tax-free) and extensive professional development benefits. Scholars receive mentoring by expert chemistry teachers, professional development events, free classroom materials, online courses on key teaching concepts, and networking opportunities with the scholar community. The scholarship also includes two years of free Royal Society of Chemistry membership, providing access to the Education in Chemistry magazine, national and regional networks for chemistry teachers, discounted books, and support from the Chemists' Community Fund. The program aims to inspire the next generation of scientists by supporting passionate individuals who want to teach chemistry.
Researcher Collaborations Grants
The Researcher Collaborations Grant enables researchers to establish and develop collaborations and networks beyond their own institution, including national, international, interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations. RSC members can apply for funding to participate in or organise activities which bring together researchers, including research visits to potential or current collaborator's institutions (applicants can now apply to visit up to 3 collaborators as well as to host them on a reciprocal visit) and organising meetings/workshops. The grant is aimed at researchers wanting to foster and develop collaborations. Applicants can be PhD students or researchers at any career stage, working in any sector or location.
Outreach Fund
The Outreach Fund supports members, individuals and organisations to enable them to run chemistry-based engagement activities. The Fund is open for applications throughout 2026 with rolling deadlines. The public engagement and outreach work brings the chemical sciences closer to people's lives and people's lives closer to the chemical sciences. The funding aims to connect communities with the chemical sciences, help bring different people and organisations together to share ideas, develop meaningful partnerships, inspire new ways of working, and encourage dialogue about the importance and role of chemistry for making the world a better place. Engagement encompasses many approaches with a range of audiences in different settings – from schools and laboratories to museums and gardens. The Fund supports projects that develop chemists' public engagement and science communication skills, engage with school students to inspire future generations, engage with public audiences on relevant contemporary issues, and provide under-represented audiences with inspiring chemistry engagement opportunities.
Inclusion and Diversity Fund
The Inclusion and Diversity Fund supports innovative products, activities and research projects that help make the chemical sciences community more inclusive and diverse. Previous recipients of funding have included projects related to gender, disability, socio-economic background, language, race and ethnicity, the LGBT+ community and more. These have been delivered via initiatives such as data collection and analysis, workshops, conferences and hackathons. Eligible projects must have clear intended outcomes, such as removing barriers to access and progression for underrepresented groups in the chemical sciences, enhancing retention and career development for diverse talent, and creating an inclusive culture in chemical sciences education and workplaces. The Chemists' Community Fund provides ring-fenced additional funding to support initiatives that closely align with its guiding principles, particularly those that engage directly with under-represented communities and support wellbeing, accessibility, and inclusive participation in the chemical sciences. Individual applications up to £5,000 are considered, with funding greater than £5,000 potentially available for one project each year.
Grants for Carers
The Royal Society of Chemistry's Grants for Carers provides up to £1,200 per year to support chemists with caring responsibilities to attend chemistry-related meetings, conferences, workshops or professional development events. The grant covers additional costs incurred for paying for care that applicants usually provide while they attend these events. Caring responsibilities are wide and varied, and this program recognizes the challenge of balancing them alongside a career in chemistry. The grant is supported by the RSC's Chemists' Community Fund and was introduced following the Breaking the Barriers report, which found that 78% of chemists working in UK academia felt that managing parenting and/or caring responsibilities had an impact on women's retention and progression. While not limited to female scientists, anyone with caring responsibilities is welcome to apply. Eligible expenses include extra home help or nursing care, additional medical/respite care, travel expenses for a relative to accompany the applicant to care for dependants, and extended hours with care workers or childminders.
10th EuChemS Chemistry Congress (ECC10) grant
This grant is open to PhD students and early career scientists undertaking research in the chemical sciences to attend and present their research at the 10th EuChemS Chemistry Congress. The grant provides £500 to support attendance and presentation of an oral or poster abstract at the congress. The funding can be used towards the costs of registration, travel and accommodation to attend the Congress. This scheme is specifically designed for support to attend the 10th EuChemS Chemistry Congress only. Applicants must be RSC members of Associate Member (AMRSC), Member (MRSC) or Fellow (FRSC) categories and must be either a PhD student actively undertaking a PhD course in the chemical sciences, or a researcher in the chemical sciences working in academia within 10 years of leaving full time education. Career breaks will be taken into consideration including parental/adoption leave, family commitments, illness, or other exceptional circumstances.
Accessibility Grants
The Royal Society of Chemistry offers Accessibility Grants to support individuals with disabilities and ongoing health conditions who face extra costs and financial challenges when attending professional events. The grants provide up to £1,200 per year to help cover the cost of specific support needed to attend chemistry-related meetings, conferences, workshops, or professional development events. This support might include equipment, services, or other personal expenses associated with meeting access needs, such as wheelchair-accessible travel, personal assistance costs, communication support services like sign language interpreters, assistive software and hardware, or mobility aids. The grant takes an expansive view of disabilities and health conditions, including sensory impairments, mobility impairments, long-standing conditions, neurodivergence, mental health conditions, and in some cases short-term support required due to injury or illness. The program is supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemists' Community Fund and is founded on the social model of disability, which puts the onus on society to make adjustments to ensure disabled people can participate equally.
Royal Society of Chemistry Teacher Training Scholarships
The Royal Society of Chemistry offers teacher training scholarships in partnership with the Department for Education to support talented individuals entering chemistry teacher training in England. Each year, up to 120 scholarships are awarded to individuals pursuing Initial Teacher Training (ITT) on fee-based secondary teaching courses leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The scholarship provides £31,000 in tax-free funding along with comprehensive support including mentoring by expert chemistry teachers, professional development events, free classroom materials, and networking opportunities. Scholars also receive free RSC membership for two years, access to educational resources, and ongoing support beyond the scholarship year. The program is designed for those with a passion for chemistry who want to inspire the next generation of scientists, whether they are recent graduates or exploring a career change.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 15
- Active Now
- 9
- Source Domain
- rsc.org
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
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