For National Science and Engineering Week 2009, the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) is providing further funds for a small grant scheme for schools within the UK to organise their own science and engineering events as part of the Week.

Please ensure you fully read the grant information, eligibility and conditions below:

Grant Information (PDF 49KB)

Eligibilty of schools

The aim of the National Science and Engineering Week Small Grant Scheme for Schools, as set by DIUS, is to widen access to science, engineering and technology activities to schools in challenging circumstances.

Eligible schools must either:

• have a high proportion of pupils who are from black or minority ethnic backgrounds*
• have a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals†
• be a school which has low attainment in science subjects
• be a small school based in a remote and rural location  

* A high proportion is considered to be over 20% † A high proportion is considered to be over 20%

The grant scheme is open to any state school within the UK and schools must fall into at least one or more of the eligibility criteria.  Priority will be given to schools that either meet more than one of the criteria or can provide a strong case for falling well within a single criterion.

Scale of grants available

In order to distribute the fund to as many deserving schools as possible, the award for successful applicants has been set at £150 - £250 each; however, for cases of exceptional circumstance, a small proportion of the fund has also been ring-fenced to fund larger grants of up to £500.

In order to qualify for this ring-fenced fund, the application must:

• involve pupils which fall into two or more of the eligibility criteria
• involve a large number of pupils and/or the local community
• include an exciting, ambitious and innovative event proposal
• show a lasting impact of the grant
• relate to an event/activity that would not be possible without the grant

As the ring-fenced fund is imited, it is likely that some eligible schools will be unsuccessful in their application.  In this situation, schools will be offered a proportion of the required funds towards their event costs and schools will be given the option to either a) accept this and raise the extra funds themselves, b) run an adapted version of the event or c) decline the grant if they feel they would be unable to run the event with the money available. 

Any changes made to the proposed event should be discussed with the BA as soon as possible.

Deadlines and payments

The deadline for applications is Friday 28th November 2008. 

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the 9th January 2009.

If successful, payment of the grant will be made directly into a nominated bank account (details provided by the applicant on the application form below) by the end of January.

N.B.  If schools wish to book speakers or presenters in advance of knowing the outcome of their application and require funding to do this, then they can either:

a)  provisionally book the speaker and either cancel or make the payment on notification of their application outcome.

b)  put a deposit down or pay for the speaker but risk not being successful in their application.

Please note that the BA are not liable for any lost deposits or payments for speakers.

c)   wait until notification of the application outcome to book. 

If schools are not able to secure the speaker at this time then an alternative event/speaker can be suggested and agreed with the BA. 

Events which do not go ahead at all cannot be funded by the BA and grant money will have to be returned.

Conditions of the grant

• The event MUST fall within National Science and Engineering Week (6-15 March 2009)

• The event must be science, engineering or technology related

• A short online evaluation report form MUST be completed by the 10th April 2009.

• National Science and Engineering Week, the DIUS and the BA must be correctly acknowledged in any press releases sent out (see brand guidelines)

• The National Science and Engineering Week logo must be used on any marketing materials produced.  The logo must comply with our design guidelines (see brand guidelines)

Please note that if, for whatever reason, you are not able to run a NSEW event within National Science and Engineering Week, the grant money will have to be returned to the BA. 

If the evaluation report is not completed by the 10th April or, if your event differs greatly to the event specified in your application, the BA reserves the right to ask for the grant to be returned.

For these reasons, please ensure you have contingency plans in case of illness or unforeseen circumstances.  

For full details, see grant information. 

How to apply

All applicants must complete a simple online application form.

Once your online application has been submitted you will receive an email confirmation that it has been received by the team. Please retain this email for your records.

If you are successful in your application you will have to log-in again, after the event, and complete a short evaluation questionnaire. 

If you have any questions regarding the application procedure for 2009 or any aspect of the NSEW Small Grant Scheme, please email us or call 020 7019 4937.