Dudgeon Community STEM in Schools Fund

Boys repairing a bike

Grants of up to £10,000 are available to schools and other eligible organisations to deliver projects designed to engage students in STEM subjects.

The Dudgeon STEM in Schools Fund aims to inspire pupils and students in primary/secondary schools and colleges (up to and including year 13) to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, so that those pupils are more likely to continue education or employment within the STEM areas.

The Fund supports creative projects which can demonstrate that they will make a sustained difference to pupils and students. We would like to see a range of projects which seek to engage underrepresented groups in STEM and the continued support of student’s activities which have proven successful.

All applications must be for a STEM initiative which will be delivered to pupils in primary schools, secondary schools, or colleges in the Great Yarmouth, Breckland or North Norfolk districts. Collaboration on projects with other schools and colleges is strongly encouraged.

 

Who can apply?

Applications can be made by:

  • non-fee paying colleges and schools (up to and including year 13)
  • charities and other not-for-profit organisations that are experienced in working with students, delivering activity in schools, and which meet NCF’s general eligibility criteria: Is my group eligible to apply?

Organisations which received a grant from the Dudgeon Community Fund between October 2022 and October 2023 may apply for a new grant provided they are able to demonstrate the progress of their current project.

Multiple applications may be submitted by an organisation throughout the year for different projects, and will be considered by the panel on a case-by-case basis

Exclusions

The Fund will not cover costs associated with normal delivery of the curriculum. For example, funding could not support the purchasing of equipment to use in lessons. It can also not support the costs associated with a school’s core funding, such as teacher salaries.

If you are seeking funding to deliver activities in a school and would like more information on what is currently taught in the national curriculum, please consult the school you are wishing to work with.

How to apply

The Fund has a two-stage application process:

  • Stage 1 – Complete an “expression of interest” to tell us about your idea and how it fits with the Fund objectives. This can be completed at any time throughout the year. You can find a link for this form below.
  • Stage 2 – Invited applicants will be sent a full application form to complete. Funding decisions will be made by the panel three times a year: at the end of January, April, and September.

Successful applicants will be expected to start spending their grant within 3 months of receipt or, for grants awarded in April, in the following autumn term.

Throughout the duration of your grant, we ask that you collect stories and pictures to complete a photo diary. Three months from the grant offer, a member of the NCF team will be in touch by phone or email to catch up on how your project is progressing. We also ask that you complete an end of grant report that captures the impact of your project.

The deadline for expression of interests for the April 2024 panel was 4th March. Expressions of interest submitted after this date will be considered for the September 2024 panel.

 

Call for Applications

Open

Maximum Grant

£10,000

Who can apply?

Charity, School, Social Enterprise/CIC, and Voluntary/Community Group

Eligible Area

Breckland, Great Yarmouth, and North Norfolk