Funding for Links with Japan (UK)
Grants of £2,000 - £9,000 are available to promote and support links between the UK and Japan. The Daiwa Foundation Small Grants can cover all fields of activity, including educational and other projects and events. New initiatives are especially encouraged. Projects that have received funding in the past include Beckfoot School (Bingley) which received a grant of £3,000 to support a two-week curriculum-based school exchange visit by ten students and two teachers to Hiroshima Kokusai High School; and Dene Magna School which received a grant of £4,000 to support a school exchange visit by three teachers and nine pupils to enhance links established in 2002 with two partner schools in Okinawa and to consolidate Japanese as part of its curriculum. The next closing date for applications is the 31st March 2025.
Government Launches New £15 Million Fund to Expand School Based Nursery Provision (England)
The Department for Education has launched a £15 million funding initiative to support up to 300 school-based nurseries across England. State-funded primary Schools that already offer some early education can apply for capital grants of up to £150,000 to establish or expand nurseries. Projects must use surplus space in the school building (including at primary-phase satellite sites). The grant is part of the government's "Opportunity Mission," which seeks to provide high-quality early education, especially in disadvantaged areas. The closing date set for midday on the 19th December 2024.
Funding to Encourage Young People to Study Science Subjects (UK)
In response to the much publicised skills gap in the British engineering industry, the Ironmongers’ Foundation wishes to support initiatives that encourage talented young people under the age of 25 to study science subjects at school and go on to pursue STEM-related further education or vocational training. The funding is available to registered or exempt charities within the UK , with a preference for urban areas outside London and particularly areas in the north and midlands with a manufacturing presence. Grants are made to registered or exempt charities only. Applications will not be accepted from schools. The Foundation prefers to support smaller projects where it is the sole funder or its contribution makes a real difference. Most grants are below £10,000. The Foundation Committee meets three times per year in January, May and September. The deadlines for receipt of applications are 1 December, 1 April and 1 August respectively.
Grants to Support Educational Visits (London & Essex)
Funding is available to support schools and youth organisations in London and Essex with the costs of visiting museums, theatres, science shows and more. The Jack Petchey Foundation’s Educational Visit Grants provide funding of up to £1,200 (£20 per head) for up to two trips per calendar year to schools and clubs that successfully run the Achievement Award Scheme. SEND schools/organisations, pupil referral units, and alternative education provisions can apply for up to £60 per person for day trips and £100 per person for residential trips. The fund aims to help young people develop a wide range of valuable personal and social skills and provide the chance to learn outside of the classroom. Trips must be of educational value, and funding can be used to pay transport or entrance fees. Applications can be made at any time.
Funding for Schools to Purchase Musical Equipment (UK & Ireland)
Grants of up to £1,000 are available to schools across the UK and Ireland that teach the national curriculum, to improve their access to music by purchasing or upgrading musical instruments and/or equipment. The funding is made available through the Universal Music UK Sound Foundation’s School Award. The deadline for applications is 1pm on the 22nd January 2025.
Grants for FE Colleges to Address Skills & Diversity in the Screen Sector (London)
Grants between £10,000 and £20,000 are available to London FE colleges for projects addressing skills and diversity challenges within the screen sector. The FE Curriculum Partnerships Fund will support colleges in collaborating with screen industry partners on innovative pilot projects aimed at developing curricula that better equip students to meet the skills needs of the screen industry. Activities could include short courses, supplementary units or modules for existing courses, training or work experience placements with industry partners, or courses to help students adapt skills from other sectors to meet screen production needs. At least 15% match funding is required. The funding is provided by Film London in partnership with the Association of Colleges, which is accepting applications until the 6th December 2024.
Funding to Enhance Mental Health Provision in Schools and Colleges (England)
The Department for Education (DfE) offers the Senior Mental Health Lead Training Grant, to support schools and colleges in enhancing their mental health provision. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in educational settings. It aims to equip senior leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop a sustainable, whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. Eligible schools and colleges in England can apply for up to £1,200 in funding. The funding is intended to cover the cost of training for senior mental health leads, enabling them to implement effective mental health strategies within their institutions. The training focuses on developing a whole-school approach to mental health, including promoting positive mental health, early intervention, and managing mental health issues among students. Applications for the Senior Mental Health Lead Training Grant must be submitted by 31st December 2024. Schools and colleges are encouraged to apply as early as possible to secure funding and enhance their mental health provision.
Funding for High Achieving State School Students to Explore Studying in the USA (UK)
The Sutton Trust has announced that its US Programme is now open for applications. The programme offers high achieving state school students the opportunity to explore studying in the United States, and experience what it is like being an international student. The programme will cover all costs, including travel, residential events, accommodation and food. As in previous years, students are scheduled to visit the US in July/August. The programme is open to students from low- or middle-income families who are currently in Year 12 in England and Wales, S5 in Scotland or Year 13 in Northern Ireland. The closing date for applications is the 14th January 2025.
Free Trees for Schools & Community Groups (UK)
Hundreds of thousands of trees are being given away to help the UK reach its 2050 carbon net-zero target. Schools, nurseries, colleges, universities, outdoor learning centres, and other groups such as resident associations, sports clubs, parish councils, scouts and guides from across the UK are among the organisations eligible to apply for up to 420 saplings to improve their local environment. Tree packs include hedging, copse, wild harvest, year-round colour, working wood, wild wood, wildlife, and urban trees. The closing date for applications is the 13th January 2025.
Student Opportunities in Public Museums & Galleries (UK)
Funding is available to help public museums, galleries, historic houses, libraries, and visual arts organisations in the UK provide meaningful paid work experience opportunities for full-time university students that enable them to explore further their interest in the arts and related future career options before they graduate. Through Art Fund’s Student Opportunities programme, organisations can apply for up to £10,000 towards the costs associated with paying students for their time to help deliver projects. Art Fund will consider 100% of the funding for the costs. Applicants should allow at least eight weeks between submitting applications and when they need a decision. The next closing date for applications is the 10th January 2025.
National School Breakfast Programme (England)
The Department for Education has announced that Schools in disadvantaged can apply for a 75% subsidy for breakfast club provision until July 2024. To be eligible to participate in the National School Breakfast Programme, schools will have 40% or more pupils in bands A-F of the income deprivation affecting children index (IDACI). This can include state-funded primary, secondary, special schools and alternative provision. The contract for the programme will be delivered through Family Action, who will source and deliver breakfast food products to participating schools. All breakfast products offered through the programme meet the school food standards. Schools will be able to choose and order the food products and quantities they need for their pupils.
Youth Hostel Offers Bursary Scheme for Towards Residential Stays (England & Wales)
Schools and colleges in areas of high deprivation in England and Wales can apply for support towards the cost of a residential stay at a YHA-owned hostel. The funding is made available through the Youth Hostel Association’s Bursary scheme. The scheme is open to primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, and schools offering alternative provisions or colleges based in areas of high social deprivation with high numbers (upwards of 20%) of children receiving pupil premium or free school meals. The bursary can be used towards payment for a school residential with an overnight stay (with or without catering and activities) at any available YHA-owned hostel. No school can access more than one bursary per residential stay. The bursary support is valid for stays on the following dates: 4 November 2024 - 4 March 2025 and 2 November 2025 - 28 February 2026.
Funding for Special Schools and Colleges (UK)
Grants of up to £75,000 are available to special schools and colleges for children and young people with special educational needs. Grants are awarded towards capital costs such as new buildings, refurbishing existing buildings, and equipment. The funding is available for projects focused on helping pupils develop skills that would help them gain employment or live independently after leaving school or college. The grants are made through the Wolfson Foundation’s Special Schools and Colleges grants programme. There is a 2-stage application process. The closing date for Stage 1 applications is the 5th January 2025. Applications successful at this stage will have until the 1st March 2025 to complete the stage 2 application.
Funding to Tackle Antisemitism in Schools (England)
In response to a significant rise in antisemitic incidents during 2024, the Department for Education has announced £7 million in funding to tackle antisemitism in educational institutions. The funding will aim to educate people about antisemitism and better equip schools, colleges and universities to stop antisemitic abuse. Some of the funds will be allocated to upskilling teachers and university staff in addressing antisemitism. The funding will also support an innovation fund to tackle antisemitism in education, with a slightly broader focus on settings building resilience to mis-information. Of the total funding, £500,000 has been awarded to the University Jewish Chaplaincy to provide welfare support for Jewish students in universities. Further details will be provided in due course.