The JP Blanch Fund

Grants are available to support projects that aim to provide opportunities for individuals entering or returning to the automotive, engineering and technology sectors.

The fund will support a range of projects in STEM, with priority given to those focusing on the automotive, engineering and technology sectors. This can include:

Initiatives to inspire people to get involved in STEM.
Projects for those who show enthusiasm and aptitude for engineering but need extra support to fulfil their full potential, no matter their age or stage in life.
Projects for those returning to work or retraining in the automotive, technology and engineering sectors.

Projects should make a positive and lasting difference to the lives of those who are supported by the fund, enabling them to pursue training, jobs and careers that may otherwise be out of their reach.

There are 3 different types of project that this fund will support…

Grants of up to £10,000 are available to support projects to help people gain the necessary skills, training and qualifications to enable them to enter or re-enter employment in the automotive, engineering and technology sectors. These projects should particularly help people who would not ordinarily have access to such opportunities.

Grants of up to £10,000 are also available for schools and further education colleges to deliver extra-curricular engineering initiatives. Please note, we do not support costs that are associated with normal delivery of the curriculum e.g. existing teacher salaries or building maintenance.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to schools and further education colleges to award bursaries for students who are studying sector specific courses at level two and level three, where additional funding is required by students of low income families. Please note…

Your application should include the number of students the funding amount will support and how this will enable the individual to carry out STEM activity.
Schools and further education colleges will need to apply their normal means testing procedures to ensure that students supported are from low income families.

Who can apply?

Registered charities
Social Enterprises/ CICs
Voluntary Organisations
Not for Profit Organisations
Secondary schools and further education colleges (including independent schools that are registered as charities)

All applicants will need to meet NCF’s general eligibility criteria.

If you have previously received funding from the JP Blanch fund, you are eligible to apply for funding again in 2023.