Applications for the Engage Grants are now closed.

Please return in September 2024 to apply for the Autumn round of Engage Grants.

In the meantime you can see more information about the grants below. If you have applied for an Engage Grant in Spring 2024 you will hear from us in March whether you have been successful or not.

Engage Grants are available twice a year to help support UK schools to run CREST Awards. Schools that have high numbers of pupils who are often underrepresented in STEM are encouraged to apply for funding of up to £600 (£300 plus voucher codes to cover CREST Award registration fees) in the Autumn and Spring terms

The CREST Awards scheme aims to inspire young people to think and behave like scientists and engineers. It is the BSA’s flagship programme for young people, providing science enrichment activities to inspire and engage 5 to 19 year olds. 

How to apply

• All applications should be made online via the Engage Grants application form before the deadline.  

• When completing the application form, please ensure that all email addresses, telephone numbers and bank account details given are correct. Any mistakes in these will delay payment of the grants. As we will communicate with you primarily by email, please ensure you give an email address that is checked regularly by the person who applies for the grants.  

• We understand that this type of activity planning may be different or new to your remit of work. If so, do not hesitate to contact the British Science Association (BSA) team if you have any questions regarding the application procedure or what type of activity might be suitable for your audience. Please email crest@britishscienceassociation.org. 

How much can I apply for?

Applicants can request up to £600 Engage Grants in total towards to run CREST Awards - this breaks down into two categories: 

• up to £300 to cover CREST registration fees

• up to £300 to spend on support costs for running the Awards, such as CPD for school staff, supply teacher cover, CREST link schemes or a delivery partner, consumables or equipment. 

  
  

Eligibility criteria

State schools or organisations that need to meet a minimum of one of the following three criteria

• has at least 30% of pupils eligible for pupil premium (or equivalent, depending on the UK nation applying from)

• has at least 30% of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds*

• is based in a designated rural location**

* Ethnic minority backgrounds include all pupils who don’t self-describe as White British. It includes Irish, except in Northern Ireland.

** Remote and rural schools are in postcodes listed as ‘rural’ under the Government’s Rural Urban classification system. You can look up your school’s classification at UK Postcode Check.

Please note that schools and organisations also need to meet the following additional criteria:

• you are applying on behalf of a school or organisation to run CREST Awards in the United Kingdom

• participating students will be aged 5-19 years

• your Award(s) will be completed by 31 July 2024.

Selection criteria

When assessing applications, preference will be given to schools and organisations that can clearly demonstrate commitment to the following: 

• proposed engagement with students in lower ability or mixed ability science sets

• proposed activities which are cross curricular or involve collaboration between science and another subject area, particularly if it is outside STEM (e.g. history, art, music)

• engagement that supports girls to develop their STEM skills, understanding and passions

• engagement that includes whole year groups or whole classes

• engagement with students in non-traditional science contexts including out of school clubs which have a wider remit than just science. 

Please note that you will need to demonstrate in detail how you meet any or all of the selection criteria. It is preferable to demonstrate in detail your ability to meet one criterion rather than all of them in less detail.  

We aim for a broad geographical spread of grant funded events and we may prioritise grants from one region over another if necessary to achieve this.  

Tips for applying for Engage Grants

In order to write the best possible application for the Engage Grants scheme, we would recommend that you consider the points below: 

• how you will use this funding to reach students that do not typically engage in STEM subjects. This may include all genders, ethnicities, students who are eligible for pupil premium, or who have special educational needs or disabilities  

• identify when the project work will take place and whether participation is voluntary or compulsory  

• demonstrate which of the four priority areas above your project will focus on (it doesn’t need to meet all of these) 

• consider which level(s) of CREST Award is most appropriate and how many students you expect to participate

• why not get inspired by reading some example activities other teachers used for applying for the grants: Making use of our funding and CREST Awards: case studies

What will we ask for in your application? 

You will need to complete the application using the online form. We will not accept applications sent as email attachments.  

You will be asked to provide the following information in your application:  

• a brief description of the CREST activity you are proposing to run 

• how you will ensure disadvantaged young people are supported to participate 

• how much money you are applying for (maximum £300 for resources) 

• details about what the funding will be used for                                                     

• the number of students you will run the Awards with. If you do not know exact numbers, please provide an estimate – this will be used to calculate the amount you receive for CREST Award fees 

• details of the organisation bank account into which the grant including the account name, number and sort code. Providing your account details at this stage allows us to pay successful applicants immediately, so you can start your project promptly. 

Data submitted via this form will only be used for the administration of this grant programme, except where you explicitly sign up for additional communications from us. Find out how we use your data.