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BlueSpark Foundation grants: can it pay for a STEM workshop?

Possibly, with conditions

The funder's wording covers services and the provision of experiences, such as theatre visits, which is similar to a bought-in workshop, but it does not say explicitly that an external provider's fee qualifies. Check with BlueSpark before applying. Schools can apply directly.

Funder
BlueSpark Foundation
Amount
Most grants are under £2,000; none are more than £5,000
Who can apply
School, Charity, OtherSchools, community groups, clubs and other not-for-profit organisations are named as typical applicants, and individuals may also apply. The applicant must be resident in England. The project must benefit children or young people aged 5 to 22.
Phases
Primary, Secondary, Post-16
Where
England
Status and deadline
Open all year. Open all year, no fixed deadline

How to use it for a workshop

Frame the booking as a discrete, additional project, for example a STEM enrichment day or club that the grant makes possible, rather than a top-up to normal timetabled lessons, and confirm directly with BlueSpark that an external provider's fee is eligible before applying.

Matching workshops

Checked on the funder's website on 26 September 2026. View the funder's page

Get a quote to attach to your application← Back to School funding

Other schemes you could apply to now

Closing soonPossibly, with conditions

CREST Awards Engage funding

British Science Association (CREST Awards)

Funding to help schools in challenging circumstances run CREST Awards with pupils from groups underrepresented in STEM. Provides a small cash grant plus a matching voucher for CREST Award fees; the money is for running CREST Awards, not for commissioning an external workshop provider.

Amount
£350 grant money plus a voucher covering up to £350 of CREST Award fees (an 'Engage Simply CREST' option also exists, offering the free CREST Award voucher only, with no cash grant)
Who can apply
SchoolSchools in challenging circumstances can apply.
Phases
Primary, Secondary, Post-16
Where
England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Closes 20 October 2026 at 17:00 (24 days left)

Checked on the funder's website on 26 September 2026.

See full details
Closing soonPossibly, with conditions

British Science Association Curiosity Grant

British Science Association

A £600 cash grant, funded by UK Research and Innovation, for schools in challenging circumstances to help young people engage with research and innovation. Applications close on 4 November 2026 and delivery must finish by 31 July 2027.

Amount
£600 cash grant paid to the school
Who can apply
SchoolSchools that meet the British Science Association's 'schools in challenging circumstances' criteria can apply. The funder says its priorities are more likely to be met by schools working with students aged 11 and over.
Phases
Primary, Secondary, Special, Post-16
Where
England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Closes 4 November 2026 at 17:00 (39 days left)

Checked on the funder's website on 26 September 2026.

See full details
Open all yearCan pay for a workshop

Edina Trust Science Grant Scheme

Edina Trust

A non-competitive science grant of £1,000 per year for primary and special schools (£500 for junior and infant schools) and £700 for eligible local-authority nurseries, guaranteed for schools in the 11 current local-authority areas. It can be spent on science visits into or out of school, which covers a bought-in science workshop.

Amount
£1,000 primary school science grants (£500 for Junior & Infant schools) and £700 nursery science grants
Who can apply
SchoolThe school (or nursery) in a currently eligible local authority area applies directly using the Trust's grant form; no PTA or charity vehicle is needed.
Phases
Primary, Special, Early years
Where
England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland: Belfast City, Halton, North Lanarkshire, Nottingham City, Stoke-on-Trent, North Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Dundee City, Leicester City, Burnley, Swansea

Open all year, no fixed deadline

The Trust lists all 11 current areas under 'Schemes ending: 2026/27'.

Checked on the funder's website on 26 September 2026.

See full details