Deadline: 03-Oct-2025
The Royal Society of Chemistry is inviting applications for its Outreach Fund, which offers financial support to individuals, members, and organisations for a variety of chemistry-based public and school engagement initiatives. The fund is designed to help bring chemistry into everyday lives and foster stronger community connections with the chemical sciences.
The goal is to build capacity in public engagement and science communication among chemists, engage students and the wider public in chemistry, and provide underrepresented communities with access to inspiring chemistry-related experiences. The program also promotes partnerships and innovative approaches to outreach.
Funding is available in two categories: small grants of up to £5,000 and large grants ranging from £5,001 to £10,000. Priority is currently given to projects that engage audiences in sustainability topics, involve underrepresented groups, develop RSC members’ engagement skills, and contribute to positive social outcomes such as improved wellbeing and confidence.
Eligible projects must be delivered within the UK or Republic of Ireland. Applications can relate to new initiatives or build on existing projects, provided there is sufficient evaluation evidence and clear plans for sustainability. Applications must adhere to submission deadlines, and proposed project activities must align with specified funding round timelines.
All applicants must include a detailed financial breakdown, and the project must have a strong link to the chemical sciences. Applications submitted after deadlines will be reviewed in the next round if the fund remains open.
Funding will not be provided for projects lacking a clear chemistry component, those aimed solely at professional development, or initiatives that are part of regular institutional programming such as open days. It also won’t cover general equipment costs unless essential to the project or salary costs already covered by other sources. Repetitive or duplicate projects without proper evaluation or sustainability plans are also ineligible.
The scheme is open to anyone aged 18 and above residing in the UK or Republic of Ireland or applying on behalf of a UK- or ROI-registered organisation. Eligible applicants include RSC members, academic researchers, museums, not-for-profit groups, community organisations, and more. Past recipients may reapply for new projects or to expand existing ones.
For more information, visit RSC.
