Outreach Fund: making a difference
Alongside the launch of our new Outreach Fund impact report, we have committed to making it easier than ever to join in and help make chemistry for everyone.
Today we’ve published a new report, Making a difference, which summarises the impacts of our Outreach Fund from 2020-2022. The report shows the difference alternative routes to science engagement can make.
Professions across the chemical sciences are experiencing a skills and worker shortage, with demand for workers in chemistry using sectors projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. Whilst education is key to equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to enter science-based careers, access to science remains impacted by your background, location and your teachers’ training. For this reason, it’s also important to support alternative routes to sciences engagement. This is where the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Outreach Fund comes in.
Read the report now
Our Outreach Fund was established in 2014, with the aim of providing grants to those working directly to engage communities with the chemical sciences. The programme has supported a wide spectrum of projects, for example classroom-based curriculum enrichment and take-home activities, circus shows, and activity at international policy forums such as COP26.
Today we’re announcing the publication of an Impact Report and a Summary Report, reviewing the impact of the fund in the years 2020-2022. We have drawn out learnings from the Outreach Fund for the public engagement and outreach community, and outlined how we will strengthen the Fund in the future.
Is the Outreach Fund making a difference?
Yes. According to the research, the fund makes a difference to participants, chemistry-using professionals, outreach professionals and organisations, by:
- raising aspirations and enabling inclusive access to the chemical sciences
- professional development of chemistry-using professionals, supporting the development of their competencies and their impact
- supporting good practice in public engagement and outreach – delivering for priority audiences in the places and formats that work for them
- strategy, partnerships and funding: building the relationships and supporting the capabilities of the organisations and teams that are essential to delivering outreach and engagement
Between 2020-2022, funded projects delivered engagement to over 52,000 people in face-to-face activities, with online engagements reaching over 1.9m people.
The impact review has demonstrated that the Outreach Fund delivers consistently against its objectives – supporting our members and funded organisations to develop their public engagement and outreach practice, and expanding the nature and types of engagement delivered with communities.
The RSC’s flexible approach to funding was also identified as a key enabler, particularly in supporting projects that work with participants who are underrepresented in the chemical sciences. This flexibility is something we are committed to retaining as we evolve the fund.
How can we strengthen the fund?
The Impact Report highlights opportunities to strengthen the Fund. In response to the findings, the Royal Society of Chemistry will:
- make it easier for eligible organisations to apply and report to the Outreach Fund, clarifying our expectations and providing clearer guidance to applicants, grant holders and completing projects.
- signpost applicants more effectively to Royal Society of Chemistry priorities, evidence and resources, including research-informed good practice frameworks, to strengthen applications, projects and impact.
- strengthen Fund data collection and evaluation to support learning from what works, contributing to the sector’s understanding of impactful engagement.
- improve the sharing of good practice and strengthen the support we provide to funded projects through cohort support, working with them to create a community of practice.
- continue to support the scheme with knowledgeable and engaged staff, working closely with applicants and projects to ensure the scheme is accessible and to deliver the best outcomes for participants.
- improve access to Outreach Fund Volunteering from September 2024, through a coordinated volunteer opportunities board for members.
Join In
- Find out more by reading the Impact Report.
- The next round of the Outreach Fund is now open to members and eligible organisations. Sign up to our webinar or Apply now!
- Are you a member who wants to inspire the next generation of chemical scientists? Check out our members volunteer opportunities board.
- Access our professional development resources in our new dedicated space on the Royal Society of Chemistry’s member area.
Part of the big picture
Outreach and public engagement is just one aspect of building science capability in the UK and Ireland. Look out for our Future Workforce and Educational Pathways report coming soon. This report will provide recommendations for policymakers, educators, the sector workforce and the RSC as a professional body to ensure the best and most relevant skills provision for the chemical sciences in the coming years.