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

Short answer

Possibly, with conditions

Allocated fundingAllocated each year, no application round

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.

Checked on the funder's website on 10 November 2026. View the funder's page (gov.uk)

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.

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From £597 per day, excluding VAT, for the nearest schools.See your exact price

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Key facts

What it is: Government-funded holiday provision for children from lower-income families. Local authorities receive the money and commission delivery from a range of providers; sessions must combine a meal, physical activity and enriching activities.
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
Funder: Department for Education (DfE), delivered by upper-tier local authorities

Matching workshops

Other schemes you could apply to now

Open all yearPossibly, with conditions

BlueSpark Foundation grants

Amount: Most grants are under £2,000; none are more than £5,000
Deadline: Open all year, no fixed deadline

Open all yearCan pay for a workshop

Edina Trust Science Grant Scheme

Amount: £1,000 primary school science grants (£500 for Junior & Infant schools) and £700 nursery science grants
Deadline: Open all year, no fixed deadline