Deadline: 17-May-2024
The University of Edinburgh is inviting applications for Midlothian STEM Community Grants.
Aims
- The aims of the Midlothian STEM Community Grants are to:
- Have a positive social impact for people living in Midlothian by contributing to one or more of these United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 1 No Poverty; 3 Good Health and Wellbeing; 4 Quality Education; 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth; 10 Reduced Inequalities; 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- Support activities that have a demonstrable link to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and aim to share this with people in Midlothian.
- Develop positive relationships between the University and your community organisation.
- The three criteria have equal importance.
- This one-off round of grants is supported by charitable funds that were transferred to the University of Edinburgh as part of the winding up process of the Midlothian Science Festival charity. These grants continue that charity’s aim of sharing science with people in Midlothian.
Funding Information
- £15,000 is available.
- You can apply for up to £5,000, inclusive of VAT.
Criteria
- £5,000 is the most you can apply for. They also welcome applications for less.
- One grant per project. They do not fund projects that have already been completed.
- Aim to start your project around four months after the deadline.
- Please note: unlike other community grants offered by the University, these will only fund work benefitting residents of Midlothian. If you have an existing STEM-related project that you’d like to expand to Midlothian, this is eligible. Your organisation does not have to be based in Midlothian.
- They will consider funding projects where you need to get funding from other organisations as well as them. However, there must be a reasonable likelihood that you will have secured other funding within six months of them making the award to you. They will not pay out funding until you’ve confirmed you have secured other funding. They reserve the right to cancel your award if you don’t secure other funding within six months.
- They are more likely to fund your project if it scores highly against the three purposes of the scheme, plus:
- Takes appropriate steps to look after the safety and wellbeing of all the people involved.
- Is realistic, with a clear plan for delivery.
- Has an itemised budget which considers value for money.
- Is clear about how Midlothian residents are likely to benefit.
Ineligible
- The aim of the scheme is to fund stand-alone projects. They will not fund:
- Projects that do not benefit people living in Midlothian.
- Standard for-profit organisations.
- Organisations with an annual income of more than £1 million.
- Individuals.
- Statutory bodies, including schools. They will fund organisations that work with statutory bodies and activities happening on the premises of statutory bodies (e.g., activities at after-school clubs). They will also fund Community Councils as these are voluntary organisations (albeit set up by statute).
- Organisations without an organisational bank account.
- Companies without a governing document. Governing documents must be supplied along with your application if you’re a company.
- Applications led by members of staff from any university, including the University of Edinburgh. Students from any local university can apply but must do so through an organisation (e.g., student society) and must be working with and for local residents, including residents who are not currently students.
For more information, visit The University of Edinburgh.