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Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme (England): can it pay for a STEM workshop?

Possibly, with conditions

HAF pays for holiday clubs commissioned by local authorities, not term-time workshops booked by a school. A STEM session can form part of a HAF club only when the local authority or its coordinator commissions it, and every HAF session must also provide a meal and physical activity.

Funder
Department for Education (DfE), delivered by upper-tier local authorities
Amount
Over £200 million a year to local authorities for 2026 to 2027, as part of a 3-year settlement
Who can apply
Local authorityThe money goes to local authorities, which run HAF themselves or through a coordinator and commission holiday clubs. Schools do not apply for it directly.
Phases
Primary, Secondary
Where
England
Status and deadline
Allocated funding. Allocated each year, no application round

How to use it for a workshop

If your school runs or hosts a HAF holiday club, ask your local authority's HAF team whether a STEM session can form part of the club's enrichment activities.

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 yearPossibly, with conditions

BlueSpark Foundation grants

BlueSpark Foundation

A registered charity making small grants in England for discrete projects benefiting children and young people aged 5 to 22. A school can apply directly, without a PTA or charitable vehicle.

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

Open all year, no fixed deadline

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

See full details