Our mission
We fund a broad range of projects that connect communities from all backgrounds with the chemical sciences.
Through this, we want to help bring different people and organisations together to share ideas, develop meaningful partnerships, inspire new ways of working and encourage dialogue about the importance and role of chemistry in making the world a better place.
Engagement encompasses many approaches with a range of audiences in different settings – from schools and laboratories to museums and gardens. Our research and reports supporting our Inclusion & Diversity strategy and Future Workforce and Educational Pathways project inform our aims.
Through the Fund we aim to support projects or programmes that:
- Develop chemists’ public engagement and science communication skills - building capacity and opportunities for chemists and chemical scientists to engage with schools and public audiences
- Engage with school students - inspiring and raising aspirations of student audiences to nurture a future generation passionate about the chemical sciences
- Engage with public audiences - involving a wide range of people in relevant contemporary issues in the chemical sciences
- Provide under-represented audiences, communities and places with inspiring chemistry engagement opportunities, delivered or coordinated by skilled people
Hear about the impact this grant has
Without this funding from the RSC, the project simply would not have been possible. Although it was rejected initially, your team saw potential in our application
"The opportunity to revise and resubmit our application with further details and clarifications in some areas was appreciated. Few grant applications offer such feedback and opportunity, so this in itself was hugely helpful."
Mhairi McCann, Founder & CEO, Youth STEM 2030
Read about successful projects that have received outreach funding
Interactive chemistry activities in youth centresDr. Sharon Williams, from the School of Life Sciences at Coventry University and Secretary for the Birmingham and West Midlands Local Section, recognised the limited access to practical chemistry education in some of the schools in her local community. She wanted to establish and drive a new engagement project promoting chemistry. The project focuses on organising interactive chemistry activities in youth centres, catering to students aged seven to twelve, as well as their families.
Here, Dr Williams shares her experience and the impact of receiving Outreach Fund grants.
The Outreach Fund is a great opportunity to enrich students with science and to give students from different backgrounds the opportunity to engage with chemistry activities
Through this project her goal is to ensure that every child, irrespective of background, is afforded the chance to actively engage with the captivating world of science.
Sharon has greatly valued the support provided by our Outreach Fund and community. Specifically, her local section has been instrumental in offering support, ranging from assistance with promotional materials to connecting her with individuals in the local area who want to volunteer their time towards the activities.
This has provided early career chemists from nearby universities with opportunities to develop their science communication skills and give back to their local community. Recognising the benefits from these connections, Dr. Williams recommends fellow grant holders seek out their local community resources to support them in their projects.
Local sections have knowledge of who is in the area and who might be able to help with a project. Having this level of communication can really help a grant holder.
In addition to enhancing their university experience, the project has provided them with a unique opportunity to actively engage with and contribute to the local community in ways that are often inaccessible to most students. This experience has undoubtedly broadened their perspectives, making a positive and lasting impact on their personal and academic development.
Sharon says "Students can lack a sense of belonging while at university as they are placed into new environments. Outreach can help them feel a part of the community".
She feels that that the Outreach Fund grants she has been awarded have greatly contributed to her professional development as well. Running these events has helped her develop her confidence in areas such as organisation, leadership, and management. She also believes that the community knowledge she has gained is immensely beneficial in her role as a course director.
Sharon understands that applying for grants can seem intimidating, but she encourages those considering applying to the Outreach Fund to take the leap. While the process may be challenging, it can lead to invaluable opportunities for funding and support. She offers some advice for those considering applying:
“Showing that I can manage a project and practicing these skills has helped me develop. If you are hesitant about applying, I would recommend starting small. Apply for a small grant and take your time in planning your event.
Start by running one or two activities, go through the procedure and gain confidence. Once you feel more confident, you can start to think about upscaling your events if you think it would suit your objectives.
I would also recommend involving your local section where possible. They will be able to offer help in the running of your project and can offer support should you need it.”
What we fund
We are currently prioritising funding for projects that have one or more of the following outcomes:
- Audiences are engaged with issues around sustainability linked to chemical sciences
- Under-represented audiences are better connected with or represented by chemical science
- RSC members have opportunities to develop and/or use their engagement skills
- The project or partnership supports positive social outcomes such as an increase in wellbeing, improved confidence, and/or an increased sense of belonging
- Families and intergenerational audiences connect with chemistry in fun, creative and participatory ways
- Adults engage with chemists and chemistry to empower them to access, connect and respond to chemistry and societal issues
Find projects by location
You can use our interactive map and view the tables below to learn more about previous Outreach Fund projects. This list will be updated as we fund more projects - if you're interested in running your own, find out how to apply.
How to use the map
- Zoom in to a location, select an orange (2024) or purple (2023) point and read about the Outreach Fund project in that area
- Select the door icon to the top left of the map to see all the layers and turn them on and off
- Select the icon at the top right of the map, labelled "view a larger map" to open it full screen. This will allow you to also search by location
In the tables below you can see all the varied activities that we are supporting or have supported in your area.
2024 Projects| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
| Cambridge Hands-On Science Summer Roadshow 2024 | A student volunteer organisation is running a science roadshow bringing chemical science experiments to schools and public audiences, with a focus on children aged 8-14. | £5,000.0 | Jessica Trevelyan | Cambridge Hands-On Science (CHaOS) | Mid-Anglia |
| Terrific Test Tubes | A community interest company are showcasing chemistry through test tube experiments to public audiences in a park, library and at their Discovery Centre. | £8,000.0 | Deborah Ball | Kinetic Adventure | East Anglia |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
| The Dragon Tour | An outreach day at University of Birmingham will be delivered to children from three primary schools, with research demonstrations, campus tours and hands-on activities, in order to raise aspirations and demystify university. | £5,148.0 | Zoe Schnepp | University of Birmingham | Birmingham & West Midlands |
| BEA Wonder Dome | A tailored Wonder Dome experience will be provided to students at a SEN school, overcoming logistical and sensory issues and inspiring interest in science. | £1,121.0 | Chris Lincoln | Boston Endeavour Academy | East Midlands |
| Chemistry Hackathon Series | A community interest company is running a series of problem solving ‘hackathon’ events for secondary school students, where teams will address real-world chemistry challenges that require sustainable solutions to win prizes. | £8,997.0 | Jessica Okoro | BeScience STEM CIC | East Midlands |
| River Water Quality Activity Club | A community centre is organising an activity club focusing on water pollution and citizen science for teenagers from underrepresented backgrounds, prior to making their A-level choices. | £2,461.0 | Amy Jones | Ledbury Community Hub | Birmingham & West Midlands |
| Under the Microscope LIVE | A Knowledge Exchange Research Fellow is running workshops on electron microscopy for primary, secondary and A-level students. Participants will initially be introduced to the topic and can make suggestions of items to image, and at a follow-up hybrid session results will be streamed to the school while in-person staff explain the electron microscopy process and its use. Alternative career pathways will be highlighted to raise aspirations. | £2,000.0 | Luke Norman | Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre, University of Nottingham | East Midlands |
| Recycled Arguments: using debate to explore hopes, fears, perceptions and misconceptions of plastic waste and recycling | University staff and a local theatre company are organising debate experiences on the topic of plastics for underprivileged students, leading to a tour of a theatre performance based on the discussions. | £9,550.0 | Kit Windows-Yule | University of Birmingham | Birmingham & West Midlands |
| Come Alive With Chemistry | A collaboration between a charity, university staff and students, and teachers at eight special schools, chemistry workshops will be co-designed for school students, culminating in a showcase at a science festival. | £10,000.0 | Tim Hatton | Ignite! | East Midlands |
| Creating a Sustainable Life on Earth through Chemical Sciences 2 | A charity are organising workshops and webinars for primary school children on sustainable chemistry relating to clothing, including a careers showcase and workshops to develop research and presentation skills. | £9,500.0 | Mark Waters | 4wardFutures | Downland / Liverpool / Birmingham & West Midlands |
| Acid Box: Chemistry & Comics | Wowbagger Productions are running a series of workshops at a festival, a comic convention and in community spaces. The workshops are themed around their ‘Acid Box’ comic work, covering the use of drugs in culture, chemistry and geology, and will be co-designed with young chemical scientists. | £7,650.0 | Sara Kenney | Wowbagger Productions | Downland, Central Yorkshire, Birmingham & West Midlands |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
| Chemistry All Around Us | A village history centre is developing a programme of activities for families centred on local history and industry, including chemistry and careers talks from employers, interactive workshops and the building of a periodic table wall. | £5,000.00 | Elizabeth Crilly | Sir Hans Sloane Centre | Northern Ireland |
| Chemistry at Work 2024 | A university will hold a careers fair, demonstrating to secondary school and further education students the variety of career options available to them in the chemical sciences. | £5,000.00 | Kevin Morgan | Queen's University Belfast | Northern Ireland |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
| Colour Chemistry from Nature’s Rainbow | A local artist and chemist is running a series of workshops for families on the chemistry of natural dyes and pigments, aiming to widen participation in STEM activities by making the topic approachable and related to everyday items. Specific sessions for audiences with special educational needs and disabilities will allow the activities to be tailored to different needs. | £5,000.0 | Jane Howroyd | J Howroyd | Central Yorkshire |
| Humber STEM Event 2024 | A teacher is organising a STEM event where primary school students from disadvantaged areas can engage in hands-on activities and attend question-and-answer sessions led by local industry representatives, highlighting tangible career pathways and widening participation. | £4,500.0 | Liam Johnson | Humber STEM Event | Hull and East Yorkshire |
| Creating a Sustainable Life on Earth through Chemical Sciences 2 | A charity are organising workshops and webinars for primary school children on sustainable chemistry relating to clothing, including a careers showcase and workshops to develop research and presentation skills. | £9,500.0 | Mark Waters | 4wardFutures | Downland / Liverpool / Birmingham & West Midlands |
| Acid Box: Chemistry & Comics | Wowbagger Productions are running a series of workshops at a festival, a comic convention and in community spaces. The workshops are themed around their ‘Acid Box’ comic work, covering the use of drugs in culture, chemistry and geology, and will be co-designed with young chemical scientists. | £7,650.0 | Sara Kenney | Wowbagger Productions | Downland, Central Yorkshire, Birmingham & West Midlands |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
| IDHHP Project: Interpreters for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People | British Sign Language interpreters will attend six interactive chemistry workshops at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre to facilitate attendance of D/deaf people. | £7,670.0 | Diana Leitch | Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum Trust Ltd | Liverpool |
| Discovery club STEM | A Design & Technology teacher is setting up an afterschool club for secondary school students covering smart materials chemistry. | £3,840.5 | Amy Robinson | St Augustine of Canterbury | Liverpool |
| Supporting Green Futures: Sustainable Chemistry Sessions that Improve Science Capital | A charity is running a series of hands-on green chemistry-themed workshops for a primary school. Parents and carers will be invited to a special session with local chemists, covering careers. | £8,180.0 | Geoff Jellis | Engineering Development Trust | Liverpool |
| Chemistry is shaping the future in Lancashire | During Chemistry Week, libraries will be provided with tabletop activities and librarians trained to run them. Local chemists will give careers talks at the libraries. | £9,500.0 | Sarah Myers | Freelance | Lancashire |
| Creativity in Chemistry - Set of Pilot Activities | A teaching lecturer will use knitting, dance and storytelling, to explore chemistry through creativity in order to connect difference audiences to science. | £200.0 | Valerie Seymour | Lancaster University | Lancashire |
| Salty Saturday STEM Club - Discovering the Chemical Industry around us- Past and Future | A museum is enriching their STEM club with chemistry content through workshops, tours and exhibitions linked to local history and industry. | £2,500.0 | Virginia Kettle | West Cheshire Museums | Manchester & District |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
| Life & Chemical Sciences Careers Event for Teachers, Educators and Young People. | The local council and partners are organising a one-day event for students and teachers, to raise awareness of chemistry career pathways and local industry opportunities. | £7,382.1 | Ian Stewart | Midlothian Council | Edinburgh & South East Scotland |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
| Practical Potions | An outreach day at Middlesex University London will be delivered to Key Stage Two students from five schools, with two hands-on activities, in order to raise aspirations and demystify university. | £2,324.0 | Britta Stordal | Middlesex University London | Chilterns & Middlesex |
| Open Access Labs and Year 12 Summer school | Six one-day lab events for secondary school students and a one week summer school for Year 12 students will be held at King's College London, giving underserved students experience of chemistry at university. | £4,906.0 | Hayley Wootton | King's College London | Kent |
| The Creative Chemistry Tent | The University of Oxford and a community charity are collaborating to provide a stall with family-friendly chemistry activities at playdays in underserved areas. | £5,000.0 | Saskia O'Sullivan | University of Oxford | Thames Valley |
| Summer School and Longitudinal Support for Year 12 Students Looking to Progress into Chemistry | A university chemistry department are organising a week-long chemistry summer school followed by a 12 month virtual mentoring program focused on practical careers advice, for year 12 students from underrepresented backgrounds. | £3,720.2 | Sam Cassidy | University College London | Chilterns & Middlesex |
| Science Skills for Tomorrow | A primary school are running two science weeks and a science fair with a chemistry focus, involving workshops, demonstrations, presentations, group projects and external speakers. | £5,000.0 | Alexander Reip | North Kidlington School | Thames Valley |
| CSI Storytelling | Crime scene chemistry-themed workshops will be delivered to young people and families at schools, community spaces and science festivals, seeking to develop science capital and analytical skills. | £4,500.0 | Rowena Fletcher-Wood | Freelance | Thames Valley |
| Creating a Sustainable Life on Earth through Chemical Sciences 2 | A charity are organising workshops and webinars for primary school children on sustainable chemistry relating to clothing, including a careers showcase and workshops to develop research and presentation skills. | £9,500.0 | Mark Waters | 4wardFutures | Downland / Liverpool / Birmingham & West Midlands |
| Acid Box: Chemistry & Comics | Wowbagger Productions are running a series of workshops at a festival, a comic convention and in community spaces. The workshops are themed around their ‘Acid Box’ comic work, covering the use of drugs in culture, chemistry and geology, and will be co-designed with young chemical scientists. | £7,650.0 | Sara Kenney | Wowbagger Productions | Downland, Central Yorkshire, Birmingham & West Midlands |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
| Organised Atoms | A non-profit and community organisation are collaborating to provide field trips and interdisciplinary lab activities for disadvantaged families, focusing on mining, crystals and music with a local context. | £9,880.0 | David Griffiths | Then Try This | Peninsula |
| Tin, Copper, Granite, Clay. | A gallery is running workshops for secondary school children on the chemistry of sculpture. A variety of art techniques and chemistry topics will be covered, and the workshops will be delivered to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. | £7,205.0 | Jonty Lees | Pool School Gallery CIC / Falmouth University | Peninsula |
| Expressive Explosions Series: Pop Music | An artist and former science teacher will run two day-long workshops for Key Stage Three students, experimenting with hydrogen and turning the sounds of reactions into music. | £1,995.0 | Gareth Campbell | The MoSAIC | Bristol & District |
| The Chemistry of Light | A community interest company is providing ten workshops to primary school children on the chemistry of photography darkrooms. | £5,000.0 | Justin Quinnell | The Real Photography Company CIC | Bristol & District |
| Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Joseph Priestley's discovery of oxygen in Calne | A community organisation is organising a programme of activities to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Joseph Priestley's discovery of oxygen in Calne including a schools activity pack, a mobile pop-up show with a science communicator in character as Priestley and a showcase of practical uses for oxygen by local industry and health organisations. | £5,000.0 | Fiona Campbell | Calne Pocket Park | Bristol & District |
| Mobile Magical Mocktails: Drinkable Chemistry Experiments | A local science museum is running a pop-up chemistry experience touring deprived areas of Cornwall, delivering ocean-themed chemistry experiments in the form of mocktails. | £10,000.0 | Roy Jones | Discovering42 | Peninsula |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
| Super Sustainable Cities | A community interest company is running a series of workshops for primary school children, where pupils will build eco cities from Lego while learning about how chemistry can address today’s sustainability challenges. | £10,000.0 | Kate Evans | Planet CIC | Southwest and Central Wales |
| Chemistry in Action | Techniquest are running hands-on chemistry workshops for primary school students. 18 classes from schools in disadvantaged areas will receive a visit to the science centre and an experience in the lab. | £4,950.0 | Andrea Meyrick | Techniquest | South East Wales |
| RSC local sections at the Eisteddfod 2024 | The South East Wales and Southwest and Central Wales Local Sections along with representatives from local universities and industry partners are running a stand at Eisteddfod 2024, to engage members of the public and to discuss all aspects of chemistry and its importance in society. | £4,700.0 | David Willock | RSC South East Wales Local Section | South East Wales |
| CREST Science Clubs focussing on Chemistry | A science discovery centre is organising workshops for community organisations in collaboration with staff and students from the local university chemistry department, where participants will experience chemistry and work towards an award. | £4,900.0 | Andrea Meyrick | Techniquest | South East Wales |
| Granular Flow in Oriel Science | A centre for showcasing science research is organising workshops on phases of matter for schools and public audiences, linking current research to interactive activities. | £5,000.0 | Chris Allton | Oriel Science | Southwest and Central Wales |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
|
Science At Shotley – SAS – Who Does Wins (Science Club) |
Teacher at primary school to run a weekly after-school chemistry club to engage UKS2 pupils with the science of Chemistry. |
£750 |
Gary Purnell |
Shotley Community Primary School |
East |
|
Spect-acular Spectrography |
STEMPOINT East to loan kits that consist of 1-5 iPhos spectrometers, software, sources and instructions to schools/STEM clubs in the East of England, along with the home educator community. |
£3,000 |
Helen Spencer |
STEMPOINT East |
East |
|
Country Trust Soil Health campaign |
The Country Trust wants connect children with the land that sustains them through connecting 4 schools with a soil expert farmer, a soil scientist. The campaign will also allow the students to learn about soil chemistry through fun, hands-on activities. |
£10,000 |
Jill Attenborough |
The Country Trust |
East |
|
Chemical Shift – Bringing the Chemical Sciences to underserved audiences in the East of England |
This project aims to take Cambridge Science Centre into the centre of underserved communities in the East of England in order to create accessible, hands-on science experiences which will provide an enriching experience for the audience. |
£10,000 |
Rebecca Porter |
Cambridge Science Centre |
East |
Ireland
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
|
South West College- Sustainability Gardens and Workshops |
South West College to run sustainability workshops using garden resources to provide a practical learning environment for participants from all backgrounds. |
£10,000 |
Supriya Foster |
South West College |
Ireland |
|
Beauty and the Chemistry Beasts |
Midlands science to run an open public event as part of the Midlands Science Festival that explores how Chemical sciences are involved in personal care products and cosmetics. This event is targeted towards disadvantaged schools and aims to raise awareness of sustainability issues surrounding cosmetics. |
£5,000 |
Jackie Gorman |
Midlands Science |
Ireland |
|
Chemistry at Work 2022 |
Lecturer from Queen’s University Belfast to run a Chemistry at Work event to take place over 2 days. This event aims to encourage women into careers within Chemistry through showcasing differing areas of employment within the science. |
£4,000 |
Dr Kevin Morgan |
Queen’s University Belfast |
Ireland |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
|
SLoWCat; (Securing a) Sustainable Future with a Low-Dimensional Catalysts |
Professor at Loughborough University to train students in the delivery of outreach events focused on the use of catalysts to reduce energy requirements of fuel and fine chemical production from waste. Design of outreach exhibits will take place in collaboration with partner schools and their families. |
£7,546 |
Professor Sandie Dann |
Loughborough University |
Midlands |
|
Atelier Labs |
SENsory atelier will combine Chemistry with art within school and gallery settings, showcasing chemistry experiments to disadvantaged children to promote enjoyment of the sciences. |
£4,920 |
Bob Christer |
Attenborough Arts Centre, University of Leicester |
Midlands |
|
In Your Element |
Flatpack Projects to present their 16th Flatpack Festival. Taking place in Birmingham, the festival aims to encourage disadvantaged children to pursue chemistry by engaging audiences in Chemical sciences through performances by a combination of artists and scientists. |
£2,000 |
Sam Groves |
Flatpack Projects |
Midlands |
|
Chemistry for all |
Assistant professor to increase public interest in Chemistry by running hands-on activities within youth centres for Coventry and Birmingham communities. The activities aim to connect with students aged 7-12 and their families. |
£3,100 |
Sharon Williams |
Coventry University |
Midlands |
|
CoCoBioMater Bag |
Outreach officer to run a project that introduces students to self-led work and good scientific practice in domestic and school settings. Young people will make their own ’bioplastics’ out of kitchen waste. |
£4,985 |
Dr Christopher Hamlett |
Friends of Cotteridge Park |
Midlands |
|
Parent outreach workshops |
Science lead at local primary school to run science family engagement evenings for years R – 6 to increase family engagement in the child’s science experiences. |
£3,500 |
Clare Barry |
Whittington CE Primary School |
Midlands |
|
Science Club |
Teacher at a primary school to run Chemistry themed sessions at the school science club to raise pupils’ aspirations in the sciences. |
£90 |
Andrew Blair |
St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School |
Midlands |
|
Chemistry and Sustainability for All! |
Lab Rascals to visit 3 primary schools in the most underprivileged areas of Grimsby on 3 separate occasions. The workshops will encourage the children and their families to explore careers in the local renewables sector, ideas surrounding CO2 and the environment, along with investigating insulation materials. |
£10,000 |
Katie Norman |
Lab Rascals |
Midlands |
|
Metal Heads |
PhD students, post-docs and lecturers at the University of Leicester to create a pop-up stand that introduces the public to the role that metals play in our daily lives. The display will be used at several public events such as university open days and science festivals. |
£5,000 |
Dr Guillaume Zante |
University of Leicester |
Midlands |
|
BLAST Chemistry and Art Lab |
BLAST FEST to enable 4 of their Fellows (underprivileged artists and scientists) to explore the Chemical aspects of their work by bringing them together with Chemical scientists through a series of workshops. BLAST FEST also wishes to develop 2 of the Fellows’ subjects and create a piece of art that can be shared during Black History Month. |
£10,000 |
Anita Shervington |
BLAST Fest Ltd |
Midlands |
|
Chemistry of Chocolate |
The RSC Food Group to engage underprivileged students, from hundreds of different schools, in a fun and informative one-hour session on the complex chemistry of chocolate. The session aims to get students interested in chemistry through educating the pupils on food chemistry. |
£2,500 |
Robert Cordina |
RSC Food Group |
Midlands |
|
ChemBAM at Turves Green Boys’ School |
The outreach officer at the University of Birmingham aims to inspire 3 middle-set year 9 classes from a secondary school in Birmingham by providing them with monthly chemistry activities. There will be 6 monthly 1-hour sessions for each class involved. |
£897 |
Rachel Chataway-Green |
University of Birmingham |
Midlands |
|
Become a chemist for a day |
A PhD student to deliver a one-day drop-in workshop to members of the public in underserved communities of Reading Borough. |
£2335 |
Symiah Barnett |
Loughborough University |
Midlands |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
|
Improving vocational routes into STEM jobs STEM through primary science |
Teacher to run a STEM event for children aged 9-11 years old. The event will support vocational routes into STEM jobs, inspiring school audiences in underprivileged areas of Hull. |
£6,965 |
Liam Johnson |
Holderness Teacher Research Group |
North-East |
|
Animate Materials |
Producer to create a theatrical production to educate 5–10-year-olds in underprivileged areas of the Northeast about the moral and ethical considerations raised by the development of animate materials. |
£9,955 |
Katy Vanden |
Cap-a-Pie |
North-East |
|
Careers in Chemistry Inspiration |
The national careers week CIC will supply downloadable and free chemistry-linked resources to teaching staff to allow them to explore concepts behind careers in Chemistry, therefore igniting interest from pupils of all ages. |
£10,000 |
Stephen Logan |
National Careers Week CIC |
North-East |
|
Empowering Gypsy, Traveller, and Roma Communities to Understand and Monitor Air Quality |
Dr Katherine Manfred from the University of York to distribute PM2.5 sensors to Gypsy, Traveller and Roma (GTR) communities to allow them to monitor air quality at sites and to educate GTR communities on sources of air pollution. |
£4,200 |
Dr Katherine Manfred |
University of York |
North-East |
|
Chemistry Club |
STEM coordinator at secondary school to run a Chemistry club that engages the interests of Year 7-9 students with the field of Chemistry. |
£500 |
Sarah Ford |
King James 1 Academy |
North-East |
|
Tiny Sparks- Under 5’s program |
Development officer of charity to run weekly play sessions for children aged 3-5 years-old in which they investigate topics and themes linked to the Discovery Museum collection, aiming to build aspirations of underprivileged children from Tyne and Wear. |
£10,000 |
Anna Snell |
Tyne and Wear Archives and Museum Development Trust |
North-East |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
|
Creating a Sustainable Life on Earth through Chemical Sciences (CASLOE-CS) |
The head of research and programme development to deliver workshops and webinar programmes within secondary schools in underprivileged areas of the Northwest. |
£9,900 |
Mark Waters |
4wardFutures |
North-West |
|
Positive Power: Chemistry |
Wirral Unplugged CIC to run two, 2-hour community family events and make 150 Chemistry take-home play boxes to reach disadvantaged families in Birkenhead and encourage the uptake of chemistry careers within these communities. |
£5,000 |
Dr Diana Powell |
Wirral Unplugged CIC |
North-West |
|
Battery Power |
Chief executive of Woodcraft Folk to support underprivileged children and young adults in the exploration of practical applications of chemistry including solar energy, batteries and energy storage. Workshops will be run, allowing young people to build solar arrays and battery units. |
£4,758 |
Deborah McCahon |
Woodcraft Folk |
North-West |
|
Chemistry at Work |
An education Manager to run a 4-day science event that aims to inspire and inspire students from disadvantaged backgrounds about the myriad of careers available within the chemical science sector by bringing pupils together with practising chemists. |
£6,000 |
Lucinda Lewis |
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum |
North-West |
|
Chemistry with Cabbage for Schools in areas of Deprivation |
The Director of Chemistry with Cabbage to run full-day chemistry workshops in schools in Salford, Liverpool, Wythenshawe and Stoke-on-Trent. Hands-on activities will engage students with real life chemistry and aims to show students that chemistry can offer a fun, rewarding career. |
£5,000 |
Lorelly Wilson |
Chemistry with Cabbage |
North-West |
|
Rochdale Science Extravaganza (Climate Change & Sustainability) |
Rochdale Science Initiative to develop a climate change and sustainability community engagement programme for disadvantaged families living in Rochdale borough. The project will consist of an inclusive one-day science festival and exclusive chemistry-based face-to-face workshops. |
£5,000 |
Mohammed Rahman |
Rochdale Science Initiative C.I.C |
North-West |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
|
Workshop in a Box |
PhD student to run 2 themed workshops (‘Murder in the Lab?’ and ‘Historical Hoax’) aimed at children aged from 11 to 18 years old from disadvantaged or rural areas within Scotland. |
£9,893 |
Katie Grant |
University of Edinburgh |
Scotland |
|
Rannsachadh Àrainn Eucoir: Am Puffin Bochd (English: Crime Science Investigation: The Poor Puffin) |
University of Strathclyde to provide STEM learning activities in Gaelic for those living within remote communities. |
£10,000 |
Dr Kirsty Ross |
University of Strathclyde |
Scotland |
|
Pharmacy Elements – the chemistry of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences |
Lecturer at Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences to promote Chemistry in pharmacy and allied pharmaceutical science along with careers that are available in pharmaceutical sciences. This will be achieved through a pilot study that will produce resources that will be targeted at secondary schools in Scotland. |
£4,820 |
Dr Geoff Coxon |
Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences |
Scotland |
|
Family Science Club |
West Lothian Council to run after-school Chemical science clubs at schools with a high number of disadvantaged students to support primary children and their parents or carers to see Chemical science as a career pathway. |
£1,500 |
Nicola Connor |
West Lothian Council |
Scotland |
|
Lass O’Pairts |
A theatre company to deliver a performance exhibition in the Highlands consisting of three scheduled performances about pioneering female scientists. The project aims to improve science capital and provide diverse, relevant role models to underrepresented groups in chemistry. |
£10,000 |
Angie Dight |
Mischief La-Bas |
Scotland |
|
Molecular Gastronomy |
Turnbull High School to run a lunchtime club for disadvantaged S2 and S3 pupils that will focus on career opportunities in food science, along with further study options such as Modern Apprenticeships and college courses. Senior leaders will lead activities and develop science communication skills that will support their transition to further education/employment. |
£1,120 |
Helen Scally |
Turnbull High School |
Scotland |
|
‘Let’s experiment’: chemistry engagement activities for disadvantaged schools and community groups |
The Edinburgh Science Foundation to transform City Art Centre into a science playground for 3 days. Local primary schools in the most deprived areas of Edinburgh will be invited to attend the Festival with their families to try hands-on activities which will engage the audience with chemistry. |
£10,000 |
Dovile Jancionyte |
Edinburgh Science Foundation |
Scotland |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
|
The Food Clinic Podcast and Events Series |
Producer and filmmaker to produce a podcast and event series targeted at disadvantaged young adults to raise awareness for the role that nutrition and diet play in reducing disease risk. |
£5,000 |
Dr Yemisi Bokinni |
Remedy Studios Limited |
South East |
|
Routes Into Chemistry |
The EDT to deliver chemistry-themed experience days in schools to promote Routes into Stem (RIS) and to increase the uptake of chemistry in higher education from girls and young women. |
£9,954 |
Tess Gallacher |
The Engineering Development Trust |
South-East |
|
Celebrating the work of Sir Harry Kroto |
A senior lecturer at the University of Sussex to run a one-off event celebrating the work of Harry Kroto to demonstrate the relevance of fundamental chemistry. |
£2,370 |
Dr Shane Lo Fan Hin |
University of Sussex |
South-East |
|
Carbon literacy, chemistry and the climate emergency |
The chief executive of Woodcraft Folk to adopt a peer education model to train young adults to teach disadvantaged younger generations about the role of Chemistry in finding a solution to the climate emergency. |
£4,985 |
Deborah McCahon |
Woodcraft Folk |
South-East |
|
The Magic of Molecular Chirality |
PhD student at ICL to conduct hands-on demonstrations that explore Chirality at schools across the UK and at the Great Exhibition Road Festival. |
£3,000 |
Louis Minion |
Imperial College London |
South-East |
|
Country Trust soil and health campaign |
The Country Trust to connect disadvantaged children to the land that sustains us through food, in particular soil and the chemical reactions that take place within it. Activities will be sensory-based, curriculum-linked and contribute to a citizen science project. |
£10,000 |
Jill Attenborough |
The Country Trust |
South-East |
|
STEM club – aspirational activities |
The STEM organiser of Hove Park School to invest in scientific equipment that can be used within the STEM club to improve engagement and help underrepresented students engage with Chemical Sciences in a capacity not achievable through the current school curriculum. |
£873 |
Charlotte Lacny |
Hove Park School |
South-East |
|
SouthWestFest: A Breath of Fresh Air – Performance and Workshop Project |
South Westminster community festival to bring Golden Toad Theatre Company’s educational family musical ‘Errol’s Garden’, along with planting workshops, to SouthWestFest’s festival day. This aims to open conversations with local families from disadvantaged backgrounds around the subject of sustainability and chemistry in the natural world. |
£3,513 |
Dodie Finamore |
South Westminster Community Festival |
South-East |
|
Acid Box: The chemistry of psychedelic research |
The creative director of Wowbagger Productions to create a comic with the participation of 20+ marginalised young artists and scientists that explores the use of drugs with hopes to widen access to the Chemical sciences for disadvantaged young adults and exemplify how artistic pursuits can be part of the solution to global problems. |
£10,000 |
Sara Kenney |
Wowbagger Productions |
South-East |
|
Oval Learning Science Partnership |
Oval learning to nurture a network of science leads from 12 diverse and deprived schools who will share resources and co-create activities in relation to contemporary issues in the chemical sciences. These activities will reach 3,000 students. |
£10,000 |
Sue Armitage |
Oval Learning |
South-East |
|
Inside and Out: Connecting young people to Chemistry research |
Senior lecturer at the University of Kent to connect young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds in Kent to Chemistry research by creating social media content on TikTok and Instagram, by designing and running workshops for schools and by bringing marginalised students into a Chemistry research lab. |
£10,000 |
Dr Jennifer Leigh |
University of Kent |
South-East |
|
Curious ChemiStories |
NCFE to build the science capital of parents, teachers and professionals working with disadvantaged families so that they can confidently use Chemistry concepts and language in storytelling activities with children. This will be achieved through the delivery of a workshop to 50 professionals, the production of a downloadable resource pack for organisations and through the curation of two events which combine storytelling and Chemistry for families and schools during Family Learning Festival. |
£8,820 |
John Beattie |
Campaign for Learning (a division and trading name of NCFE) |
South-East |
|
Chemistry4Change |
Big Ideas to run a place-based programme with primary school in underprivileged areas across the Tees Valley. The programme will connect children to chemists working on sustainability agenda and challenge these children to then build their own ideas of using Chemistry to change the world around them. |
£10,000 |
Dr Virginia Crompton |
Big Ideas |
South-East |
|
Open Arms – Wellbeing through science |
Discovery Planet C.I.C to deliver 4 hands-on Chemistry workshops to 10 unaccompanied young refugees/asylum seekers, allowing them to engage with Chemistry to enhance their wellbeing, along with leading to development of personal skills. |
£2,580 |
Xanthe Pitt |
Discovery Planet C.I.C |
South-East |
|
Quest fore |
The social impact coordinator of a secondary school on the south coast to develop the aspiration of disadvantage pupils through interactive practical activities, role model programmes, guest speakers and engagement with chemists. |
£9,970 |
Jan Lefley |
Park Community School |
South-East |
|
Dream Big for STEM: Chemistry Edition |
A fundraising manager to provide an opportunity for underprivileged Key Stage 1 pupil to interact with real-life scientists, inspiring them with the range of roles in STEM and the literacy skills they use day-to-day. |
£9,984 |
Laura Leonard |
National Literacy Trust |
South-East |
|
Further Greener Fragrances |
The Institute for Research in Schools to engage young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with practical chemistry research. With the guidance of scientists, the project aims to teach young people how developments in chemistry can lead to improvements in their everyday lives. |
£10,000 |
Neil Garrido |
The Institute for Research in Schools |
South-East |
|
KS5 STEM Tutoring in Westminster 2022-23 |
Tutorfair Foundation to deliver 300 hours of one-to-one A-Level tutoring to 30 disadvantaged students in London. |
£2,300 |
Joss Serraillier |
Tutorfair Foundation |
South-East |
|
Soap meets Art of Marbling |
PhD student at ICL to deliver a series of workshops in schools and public libraries that explore the chemistry behind ‘paper marbling’. The workshops aim to increase the science capital of underrepresented groups in STEM. |
£9,623 |
Liva Donina |
Imperial College London |
South-East |
|
The Creative Chemistry Tent |
The educational outreach officer at the University of Oxford to nurture an interest in the chemical sciences by running activities that involve the creation of droplet artworks using common plant-based indicators. The project is targeted at underprivileged communities in Oxfordshire. |
£6,390 |
Saskia O’Sullivan |
University of Oxford |
South-East |
|
THE MOBILE LAB |
A senior chemistry technician at Winchester College to set up a chemistry club for local primary schools in the Winchester area. Children that attend would be able to use equipment which will help them prepare for science lessons at secondary school. |
£1,162 |
Jodie Parsons |
Winchester College |
South-East |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
|
Future Green Jobs |
The council to run interactive workshops within secondary schools in rural and disadvantaged regions of Cornwall to promote green jobs within Chemistry to 11–14-year-olds. |
£10,000 |
Janine Bisson |
Cornwall Council |
South-West |
|
The Explorers Family Festival |
The explorers programme at the Natural History Museum (NHM) to run a series of ‘family festivals’ which aim to encourage families from disadvantaged backgrounds to visit the NHM and use this platform to inform them about careers in the environmental sector. |
£5,000 |
Nuzhat Tabassum |
The Explorers Programme at the Natural History Museum |
South-West |
|
Somerscience Festival |
The Somerscience Trust to run a community-led family festival in rural South Somerset. The event will be an exciting mix of interactive science shows, workshops, performances and demonstrations. |
£5,000 |
Teresa Bower |
The Somerscience Trust |
South-West |
|
CARGO - Henrietta |
The University of Bristol to develop and an online lesson in their mixed-media approach to education called the CARGO Classroom. The lesson will focus on Henrietta Lacks and HeLa cells and as the CARGO classroom is free, all members of the public are welcome to use it. |
£5,000 |
Caroline McKinnon |
University of Bristol |
South-West |
|
Empowering young people to lead on the future of Green Chemistry in their communities in Bristol |
The head of science at the Orchard School Bristol to enrich the existing school curriculum and exposed disadvantaged students to science-related careers. Children from KS2-4 will use air pollution detectors to collect data, create their own biodiesels, attend an immersive day at the University of Bristol and collaborate with other students in the Trust in Learning Academies to evaluate the sustainability of their school practices. |
£3,852 |
Janet Criddle |
Orchard School Bristol |
South-West |
| Project title | Project summary | Grant awarded | Grant holder | Organisation | Location |
|
Chemistry: The Small World Around Us |
Swansea University students work with neighbouring schools in disadvantaged areas, running hour-long sessions consisting of hands-on chemistry experiments. This aims to develop the science communication skills of aspiring chemists while engaging with children in a fun and appealing way. |
£1,595 |
Tia Ansell |
Swansea University |
Wales |
|
Chemistry at Work |
See science in collaboration with the Chemistry department at Swansea University to run 4 one-day events, which include workshops, to at least 8 secondary schools from underprivileged areas in South Wales. The events will focus on highlighting relevant contemporary issues within Chemical sciences and how Chemistry is used within the workplace. |
£4,800 |
Cerian Angharad |
See Science |
Wales |
|
Discover your Chemical Potential |
Chwarae Teg to run a series of events that will introduce young women to female role models and experts in STEM, with the overarching aim to provide girls with an insight into a variety of industries where Chemistry is an integral discipline. |
£9,968 |
Hayley Dunne |
Chwarae Teg |
Wales |
|
Tri Chemistry |
Wild Elements to run a 3-session outdoor chemistry programme that will bring chemistry to years 5 and 6 in 9 primary schools in deprived and/or rural areas in Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd. Wild Elements wants to show young people that a career in chemistry is available to all. |
£9476 |
Claudia Howard |
Wild Elements |
Wales |
|
Chemistry Clubs |
The manager of Reaching Wider Partnership to develop ‘chemistry capital’ in year 9 pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing opportunities for participation in out-of-school science learning along with exposure to role models in science-related roles. |
£4,992 |
Alice Davies |
Reaching Wider Partnership – Swansea University |
Wales |
|
Chemistry at the Lab |
Techniquest to offer free visits for 750 pupils to their recently renovated lab. It aims to familiarise disadvantaged students with the laboratory environment, equipment and encourage further STEM engagement. |
£5,000 |
Andrea Meyrick |
Techniquest |
Wales |
|
Creative Chemistry |
Xplore! to develop a new chemistry show based around everyday chemicals and with a strong focus on sustainability that is suitable for family audiences. The show will be taken to 4 venues in disadvantaged areas of North Wales. |
£2,815 |
Clair Griffiths |
Xplore! |
Wales |
Eligibility
Your eligibilityApplicants/applications to the outreach fund must:
- be aged 18 and over
- be a UK or Republic of Ireland (ROI) resident (with a UK or ROI address and bank account), or are applying on behalf of an organisation registered in the UK or ROI
- not resubmit an unsuccessful Outreach Fund application unless invited to do so
- be submitted in line with the specified deadlines for consideration in a particular funding round. If an application deadline is missed, it may still be submitted in the instance that the fund remains open to applications, but will not be reviewed by the assessment panel until after the next submission deadline
- have a significant aspect which is related to the chemical sciences
For further details please read our application guidance →
Which audiences are eligible for engagement activities?
Our The Future Chemistry Workforce and Educational Pathways report (2024) has highlighted that there is a shortage of STEM skills and subject expertise in the UK. The Public Attitudes to Chemistry study (2015) found that while overall the public is positive about chemistry’s contribution to society, they lack confidence and have an absence of an emotional connection with chemistry.
This fund aims to address this by funding grants for schools and public groups without restriction on the type of audience, to connect communities from all backgrounds with the chemical sciences.
Funding for under-represented audiences
Further research done to inform our Inclusion & Diversity strategy has highlighted that many groups face barriers to entering and staying in chemistry, and are under-represented compared with the general population.
This includes women at senior levels (Breaking the Barriers, 2018); members of the LGBT+ community (Exploring the Workplace for LGBT+ Physical Scientists, 2019), disabled people (Disability in the chemical sciences, 2023), people from Black and minoritised ethnicities (Missing Elements, 2022) and people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (Is chemistry accessible for all?, 2020).
You can find all these reports in our inclusion and diversity policy section →
The Chemists’ Community Fund provides the Outreach Fund with ring-fenced additional funding to support initiatives that closely align to the CCF’s guiding principles – projects that engage directly with under-represented groups and audiences and enable them to participate in chemistry-based engagement activities. We are particularly interested in funding work with audiences including people with disabilities and people facing social, economic and educational disadvantages. Under-represented audiences may include, but are not limited to:
- Individuals/groups from low socio-economic background/status
- Individuals/groups from minoritised / minority ethnic backgrounds
- SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)/SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties)/ASN (Additional Support Needs) students
- LGBT+ individuals/groups
- Disabled individuals/disability groups
- Children in care/care leavers
- Young carers
- Individuals/groups in rural locations
How to apply
Application deadlinesApplications should be submitted by 23:59 on the following dates:
Monday 11 November 2024
Outcomes will be notified within six weeks of the closing date. Please note that funded grant activity must not start before the outcome is announced and must be completed by 30 November 2025.
The following will all help with your application:
- Please make sure you have read our application guidance before you apply
- See a list of resources to support you in the development of your project and strengthen your application
- View the application questions before applying online:
Download draft small grant application formAll applications must be submitted online:
Here are a variety of tools and guidance available to support you in the development of your project. Where available, we encourage you to use research informed frameworks to strengthen your application. The list below is not exhaustive.
Evaluating an Outreach Fund project webinar recording, September 2024 (YouTube)
This sixteen minute webinar is designed to support grant holders to develop their evaluation skills; something required for all projects funded by the Outreach Fund.
Public Attitudes to Chemistry, 2015
Results from our national study on public attitudes, awareness, interest and engagement toward chemistry, chemists and chemicals in the UK.
Factors Affecting Public Engagement by Researchers, 2015
A study aiming to provide evidence to support future public engagement planning and policy, with insights into the extent of public engagement by researchers, factors affecting participation, and comparisons to other disciplines.
The Partnership Cycle, 2023
A tool developed by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement for exploration of partnership development, supporting high-quality collaboration on engagement work.
Chemistry for All, 2020
Results from our five-year study of outreach and widening participation. A summary report specifically for outreach providers is included, with guidance and resources for planning effective and inclusive outreach.
ASPIRES series, 2013 – 2023
Findings from a longitudinal research project studying young people's science and career aspirations, and the factors shaping young people’s trajectories into, through and out of STEM education. Subject-specific reports, including for chemistry, were also produced.
The Science Capital Teaching Approach, 2017
A suite of resources designed to support educators in helping students find more meaning and relevance in science, to facilitate further engagement with the sciences.
The Equity Compass, 2020
Resources developed in a five-year project, Youth Equity + STEM (YESTEM), aiming to address fundamental equity issues in informal STEM learning. The Equity Compass tool encourages users to consider eight dimensions of equity in their practice.
An equitable future for research and innovation, 2022
A report sharing discussions with community representatives about equity, inclusion, representation and how to improve the ways in which knowledge is produced, used and communicated across the UK.
After your application
Assessment processApplications to the Outreach Fund are considered through a multistage process. We aim to complete this process within six weeks of the closing date.
- All applications are read in full by Outreach Fund review panel members, and ineligible applications are removed
- Eligible applications are then reviewed by the full Outreach Fund review panel, and a funding recommendation is made
- Final funding decisions are approved by the fund manager
Feedback on the funding decision is provided to all applicants.
Successful applicants:
- will initially be asked to sign an agreement regarding the grant
- will then be asked to raise an invoice for 80% of the total grant
- must submit an evaluation within two weeks of the completion of a project
- will be awarded the final 20% of the grant following a review of the evaluation
Evaluations offer us an insight into the impact, the challenges faced and the legacy of projects which helps keep us informed of the effectiveness of varying science engagement strategies.
We are aware that projects may encounter unforeseen challenges, as exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the off-chance that this does occur, we ask that you consult us regarding any changes to a project as laid out in the original application.
Our outreach work
Our Outreach Programme engages various audiences with the chemical sciences.
Other funding options
Search for other funding options and grants and find out about the Chemists' Community Fund
Connect with others
Find volunteering opportunities and find ways to get members involved in your project
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