Schools often want to do exciting science projects but funding can be a barrier. This page brings together grants and funding opportunities that can help your school run STEM activities, buy equipment, or take part in new learning experiences.
These opportunities are aimed at UK and Ireland schools. Some have deadlines or special rules, so please check the funder websites for the latest details.
If you have questions or need help using The Schools’ Observatory in your project, please contact us at SchoolsObs@ljmu.ac.uk. We hope these grants help you bring more space and science into your school!
- Royal Society – Partnership Grants
Who it’s for: UK schools and colleges working with a STEM partner (e.g. university, industry).
Good for: Real research projects, data-led investigations, long-form class projects.
Funds: Equipment and materials to support a student-led STEM investigation up to ~£3,000.
How to apply: School + STEM partner submit a short proposal outlining aims, methods, and budget.
Read more on the Royal Society site.
- British Science Week (BSW) – Kick Start Grants
Who it’s for: UK schools in specific circumstances (e.g., higher indices of deprivation).
Good for: Science Week events, visitors, activities, and materials.
Funds: Small grants to run BSW activities in school.
How to apply: Simple form; check eligibility and guidance.
Read more on the British Science Association site.
- Royal Institution (RI) – Science in Schools Grant Scheme
Who it’s for: UK state-funded primary or secondary schools, academies or maintained schools.
Good for: A fully-funded visit from professional science presenters under the scheme; often includes student shows, teacher CPD and a community engagement element.
Funds: Free interactive science show visits valued at around £800 by the RI's team of science presenters.
How to apply: Register interest and complete online form when applications open. Priority given to schools that would not otherwise access this kind of enrichment.
Read more on the Royal Institution website.
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) – Outreach Fund
Who it’s for: UK organisations including schools running chemistry-linked engagement.
Good for: Hands-on chemistry, cross-curricular STEM with a chemistry link (materials, spectroscopy, atmospheres).
Funds: Activity costs, materials, evaluation.
How to apply: Pick Small or Medium stream; show inclusion, need, and impact.
Read more on the RSC site.
- Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) – Education & Outreach Grants
Who it’s for: Projects that promote astronomy/space and geophysics education in the UK. Schools often partner with local groups, HE, or museums.
Good for: Astronomy weeks, community nights, equipment for outreach, teacher-led projects.
Funds: Small/medium grants for resources, events, and engagement.
How to apply: Online form; clear outcomes and reach are key.
Read more on the RAS site.
- The Ogden Trust – Physics Education Grants (England only)
Who it’s for: State-funded schools and education organisations in England supporting physics learning.
Good for: Physics enrichment clubs, classroom physics resources and teacher CPD, projects supporting pupils from under-represented groups.
Funds: Up to £5,000 per project (must be free for students).
How to apply: Applications are made online through the Ogden Trust’s Flexi-Grant system. You’ll need a short project plan and expected impact. Final grant round opens in January 2026.
Read more on The Ogden Trust website.
- Wolfson Foundation – Funding for secondary schools & sixth form colleges
Who it’s for: UK state secondary schools and sixth form colleges.
Good for: Major lab refurbishments and specialist science spaces.
Funds: Capital grants for high-quality science facilities.
How to apply: Multi-stage process; strong case for need and impact required.
Read more on the Wolfson site.
- London Mathematical Society (LMS) – Education Grants
Who it’s for: UK schools wanting to boost maths enrichment.
Good for: Maths clubs, visits, speakers, competition entry fees, small equipment.
Funds: Modest costs to widen participation and enrichment in mathematics.
How to apply: Short application; clear plan and student benefit help.
Read more on the LMS site.
- Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) - Opportunistic Funding Mechanism
Who it’s for: Schools, charities, universities, cultural centres, science events, community groups, and organisations supporting STEM engagement in Ireland.
Good for: Creative STEM education or public engagement projects that cannot wait for normal annual funding rounds.
Funds: Project-based support (typically 1 year).
How to apply: Submit an Expression of Interest explaining the need for flexible timing and expected impact.
Read more on the SFI Discover Programme page.
- ICT Infrastructure Grant (Ireland)
Who it’s for: Recognised primary, post-primary and ETB schools in Ireland.
Good for: Digital technologies for teaching, learning and assessment.
Funds: In 2026, €35 million was allocated through the ICT Infrastructure Grant Scheme. Schools receive funding directly and do not need to make a separate application.
How to apply: Schools should follow Department of Education guidance on eligible spending and local planning. Funding can support hardware, infrastructure, and other priorities linked to the school’s digital strategy.
Read more on the Department of Education site.
- Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS)
Who it’s for: Recognised primary, special and post-primary schools in Ireland.
Good for: Building upgrades, climate action works, and improvements to school facilities, including science laboratories.
Funds: The 2026 scheme includes €90 million in total, with €30 million ring-fenced for science lab refurbishment in post-primary schools.
How to apply: This is an application-based scheme. Schools should review the current guidance, eligibility rules and timelines on the Department of Education website.
Read more on the Department of Education site.
- Curious Minds
Who it’s for: Primary schools in Ireland.
Good for: Whole-school STEM engagement, classroom activities, teacher support and celebrating STEM learning across the school year.
Funds: This is not a direct cash grant, but it offers free STEM resources, support materials, awards and school packs that can strengthen STEM provision.
How to apply: Schools can explore the programme resources and take part in the awards and activities through the Curious Minds programme.
Read more on the Curious Minds site.
- EU Code Week Grassroots Coding Grants
Who it’s for: Educators, schools and organisers running digital education, coding or computational thinking activities in Ireland.
Good for: Small coding projects, digital skills events and local STEM activities linked to Code Week priorities.
Funds: Small grants may be available through the Ireland National Hub to support impactful grassroots activities.
How to apply: Check the Ireland Code Week pages for current calls, themes and application guidance.
Read more on the Code Week site.
- Science on Stage Ireland
Who it’s for: STEM teachers in Ireland.
Good for: Teacher development, sharing classroom ideas, accessing STEM teaching resources, and connecting with wider European STEM education networks.
Funds: This is mainly an opportunity and professional learning route rather than a direct school grant.
How to apply: Teachers can engage with Science on Stage Ireland activities, events and resources as opportunities open.
Read more on the Science on Stage site.
- Erasmus+ in Ireland
Who it’s for: Schools, educators, youth organisations, vocational education providers and higher education institutions in Ireland.
Good for: International partnerships, staff mobility, student exchanges, training and collaborative projects with a digital, green or inclusive focus.
Funds: Erasmus+ offers project and mobility funding through different strands. In Ireland, school, youth, adult education and VET activity is supported by Léargas, while higher education is supported by EURIreland.
How to apply: Choose the strand that fits your setting and check the relevant Irish managing organisation for deadlines and guidance.
Read more on the Léargas or EURIreland sites.
- Kinia
Who it’s for: Schools and educators, especially those supporting children and young people in educationally disadvantaged settings.
Good for: Technology access, educator support, training and programmes designed to broaden participation in STEM and digital learning.
Funds: Support varies by programme and may include training, equipment or project-based opportunities.
How to apply: Schools should check Kinia’s current programmes and eligibility details on its website.
Read more on the Kinia site.
- Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
Who it’s for: Secondary school students and teachers in Ireland.
Good for: Student research projects, investigation work, science communication and showcasing original STEM ideas.
Funds: This is a national competition and exhibition rather than a grant, but it is an excellent opportunity for project-based STEM enrichment.
How to apply: Schools and students submit project entries through the official exhibition process.
Read more on the Stripe Young Scientist site.
- ESB Science Blast
Who it’s for: Primary schools, usually for pupils in 3rd to 5th class.
Good for: Whole-class investigations, asking simple science questions, and presenting findings in a fun and accessible way.
Funds: This is a free participation opportunity rather than a grant.
How to apply: Classes can apply to take part and showcase their investigation at a Science Blast event.
Read more on the ESB Science Blast site.
- Explorers Education Programme
Who it’s for: Primary school teachers and pupils in Ireland.
Good for: Marine science, ocean literacy, environmental education and curriculum-linked STEM learning.
Funds: This programme provides resources and activities rather than direct grant funding.
How to apply: Teachers can use the programme resources and check for current opportunities through the Marine Institute.
Read more on the Explorers Education Programme site.
- Space Week Ireland
Who it’s for: Schools, colleges, educators and communities across Ireland.
Good for: Space-themed events, STEM engagement, enrichment activities and linking classroom learning to current space topics.
Funds: This is an event-based opportunity rather than a grant.
How to apply: Check the official Space Week Ireland website for annual events, school activities and participation details.
Read more on the Space Week Ireland site.
- Science Week Ireland
Who it’s for: Schools, educators, families and community groups across Ireland.
Good for: Science events, STEM celebration, school engagement and connecting learners with science activity nationwide.
Funds: This is mainly an annual participation opportunity rather than a direct grant scheme.
How to apply: Schools can explore local and national events through the official Science Week programme.
Read more on the Science Week site.
- Galway Science and Technology Festival
Who it’s for: Schools and learners in Galway and surrounding areas.
Good for: Workshops, events and hands-on STEM engagement during Science Week season.
Funds: This is a participation opportunity rather than a grant.
How to apply: Check the festival website for current events and school opportunities.
Read more on the Galway Science and Technology Festival site.