Primary science teaching empowerment fund

Strengthen local primary science teaching with up to £600 (€690) of support

Tackle teaching challenges in primary science. Get to know and share knowledge with your fellow science teachers and technicians. Develop your leadership skills and strengthen your local network.

If you have an idea that will make an impact on science teaching where you are, the Primary Science Teaching Empowerment Fund can help cover your costs.

Upcoming deadlines

The fund is currently closed. The next round will open in October 2024.

in the meantime, start preparing now by reading the eligibility criteria below.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to all primary teachers in the UK and Ireland, no matter the amount of experience you have.

How can I use the money?

The £600 (€690) offered by the fund counts towards the cost of a collaborative project or event. This includes your planning time. The scope is broad, but your idea must help to improve primary science teaching in your area or help to build a strong, supportive network across local schools.

We particularly encourage applications for projects or events that:

  • support teachers at schools that are in hard-to-reach areas, either due to geography or social disadvantage.
  • support teachers planning for a curriculum change.
  • support teachers facing challenges in primary science teaching, such as a lack of experience with practicals, teaching outside their specialism, or maintaining their wellbeing.

Throughout your project, you can tap into the Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC’s) expertise and get advice on setting up your event or collaborative project. Just email us or contact your local education coordinator.

Photo of a woman explaining something while sitting around a table with her colleagues

Source: © Shutterstock

Read a case study

A photo of students doing an experiment in a school lab

Catherine’s chemistry practical skills sessions

Find out how Catherine organised her chemistry practical skills sessions and get tips for applying to the RSC Primary Science Teaching Empowerment Fund

Eligibility criteria and restrictions

Collaborative projects or events could be online, in person or blend online and in-person meetings.

Eligible collaborative projects or events will fulfil the following criteria:

  • The applicant must work in a school in the UK or Ireland and the event or project must take place in the UK or Ireland.
  • The project or event must focus on improving primary science teaching and/or fostering supportive and effective chemistry teaching communities.
  • The project or event should either be new, or, if applied to an existing project or event, the funding must improve or introduce something new to it.
  • It must involve teachers from more than one school. (For example, a collaborative project with teachers from multiple schools, or an online event that is open to teachers from hard-to-reach areas.)
  • The applicant must agree to complete an evaluation of the project or event using the format provided by the RSC.
  • Your local education coordinator will have an open invitation to attend the project or event.
  • The project or event must not already have received funding from the RSC via another route.

Examples of eligible events

Projects or events that the fund can support include things like:

  • A session for early career teachers to try out experiments
  • Setting up a local support network with termly webinars on a range of topics
  • Workshops at which teachers share and develop plans for new or ‘recovery’ curricula
  • A networking session for teachers to speak to chemists working in different industries

Examples of ineligible events

The fund cannot support:

  • Class visits outside of school
  • Projects or events unrelated to science
  • Activities which are pupil-facing
  • Participation in existing programmes that aren’t organised by the applicant

Restrictions on funding

  • Funding is restricted to £600 (€690) per school per academic year.
  • A maximum of £300 (€345) can be used for teaching cover so that you can plan the project or event.

How to apply

We use a survey to help guide you through the application and allow you to give concise answers.

The survey will ask you to provide:

  1. Your details
  2. Project/event eligibility questions, including:
    • Event name
    • Project/event timeline including approximate start date and time span.
    • Detail around whether your project/event is new and who it will involve.
  3. An outline of your project/event and detail about impact, including:
    • A description of your project with aims and how you intended to achieve them, i.e:
      • Who the project is aimed at
      • How you intend to run your event (for example, in person or online)
      • What you will do to achieve your aims
    • Detail about the lasting impact of the project/event and any support you will have
    • Detail on how your project supports these fund focus areas:
      • Supporting teachers or technicians at schools that are in hard-to-reach areas, either due to geography or social disadvantage.
      • Supporting teachers or technicians planning for a curriculum change.
      • Supporting teachers or technicians facing challenges in chemistry teaching such as a lack of experience with practicals, teaching outside their specialism, or maintaining their wellbeing.
    • How the project will contribute to your professional development
    • A breakdown of how you intend to use the money

Questions?

If you would like to check anything with us before you apply, or for any questions along the way, either send us an email or contact your local education coordinator.

Good luck with your application!

Group of colleagues tucking into pizzas together

Source: © Shutterstock