Science Community Grant

The Science Community Grant, funded by a generous donation from The Julia Rausing Trust, offers a three-year grant award to UK-based organisations/institutions to foster and develop sustainable long-term partnerships between clusters of schools and colleges, and STEM professionals, in areas of greatest need across the UK. The grant aims to empower teachers, boost STEM confidence, and embed more practical science learning across participating schools and colleges. Funded organisations will create collaborative communities where teachers can share best practices, receive peer support, and work closely with STEM professionals to enrich STEM education and hands-on learning. The Royal Society intends to play an active role in this collaborative community from the outset, with the goal that participating schools and colleges will build capacity to apply for a full Partnership Grant. The grant supports UK schools and colleges in undertaking more hands-on, inquiry-based learning and investigative STEM projects, allowing students the opportunity to experience how science is done in practice. It provides continuing professional development (CPD) training for teachers to enhance skills and confidence in running practical investigations, and embeds a collaborative community among schools and colleges to help support the delivery of practical science activities. The program also aims to embed a culture of lasting partnership between schools and colleges and STEM professionals, while fostering an outreach culture within universities or industry and developing the engagement skills of early-career STEM researchers.