Deadline: 20-May-2026
The EDI and Outreach Grants are designed to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the molecular biosciences community. The funding supports small-scale initiatives that improve access to science, strengthen representation, and expand participation among underrepresented groups.
The programme is administered by the Biochemical Society and supports both UK and international applicants.
Purpose and Objectives
The main objectives of the grant include:
- Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in molecular biosciences
- Expanding outreach to underrepresented communities
- Improving accessibility in science education and engagement
- Supporting inclusive participation in STEM fields
- Addressing structural and attitudinal barriers in science
- Encouraging community engagement with molecular biosciences
The programme focuses on practical, community-driven inclusion activities.
Funding Details
Key funding information includes:
- Maximum grant amount: £1,000
- Project duration: up to 8 months
- Start condition: projects must begin at least 1 month after the application deadline
- Funding scope: outreach and EDI-focused activities only
Funding is intended for small, high-impact inclusion projects rather than large-scale research.
Eligible Applicants
The grant is open to:
- Individuals
- Groups
- Charities
- Not-for-profit organisations
Applicants do not need to be members of the Biochemical Society. Applications are accepted globally.
Priority Focus Areas
The programme prioritises initiatives that address inclusion and accessibility challenges, including:
- Support for carers in STEM fields
- Addressing barriers faced by LGBTQ+ communities
- Improving representation on panels and public platforms
- Supporting women and minoritised groups in senior roles
- Engaging young people from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM
- Improving accessibility for disabled and neurodiverse individuals
- Reducing socioeconomic and geographic barriers to participation
Projects should clearly target one or more of these areas.
Types of Funded Activities
Eligible activities include:
- Community science outreach events
- EDI training and awareness programmes
- Online educational resources and toolkits
- Mentoring schemes and support networks
- Workshops introducing molecular biosciences
- Interdisciplinary and collaborative engagement projects
- Development of accessible teaching materials
All activities must connect directly to molecular biosciences and EDI goals.
Application Requirements
Applicants must clearly explain:
- Target communities and participant groups
- Barriers being addressed (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQ+ identity)
- Scientific relevance to molecular biosciences
- Engagement strategy and delivery plan
- Evaluation methods and impact measurement
- Long-term sustainability or scalability of the project
Strong applications demonstrate clear inclusion outcomes and practical implementation plans.
Project Design Expectations
Projects should be:
- Inclusive and accessible by design
- Community-led or co-created where possible
- Repeatable and scalable
- Ethically designed with participant safety in mind
- Focused on measurable EDI outcomes
The programme encourages best practices in inclusive engagement.
What the Grant Does NOT Fund
The following are not eligible:
- Commercial or for-profit organisations
- Pure scientific research projects
- Travel-only funding requests
- Volunteer participation costs
- Staff salaries and wages
- Insurance and overhead costs
- Applicants who received funding from the same scheme in the previous year
Funding is strictly limited to outreach and inclusion activities.
How the Programme Works
Applicants develop a short-term EDI or outreach project linked to molecular biosciences and submit a proposal for funding.
Key steps include:
- Identifying an inclusion or accessibility gap
- Designing a targeted outreach or engagement activity
- Defining participant groups and communities
- Planning delivery within an 8-month timeframe
- Establishing evaluation and impact assessment methods
- Submitting the application before the deadline
Projects must begin after the minimum waiting period and follow strict timelines.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common issues in applications include:
- Weak or unclear connection to molecular biosciences
- Lack of defined target communities or beneficiaries
- Projects focused on research instead of outreach
- Missing evaluation or impact measurement plans
- Ignoring accessibility and inclusion design principles
- Requesting ineligible costs such as salaries or travel only
Strong proposals clearly link science outreach with measurable inclusion outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the EDI and Outreach Grant?
It is a funding scheme supporting inclusion and outreach activities in molecular biosciences.
Q2. How much funding is available?
Up to £1,000 per project.
Q3. Who can apply?
Individuals, groups, charities, and not-for-profit organisations worldwide.
Q4. What is the project duration?
Projects must be completed within 8 months.
Q5. What activities are supported?
Outreach events, EDI training, workshops, mentoring, and educational resources.
Q6. What are priority groups?
Women, LGBTQ+ communities, disabled individuals, ethnic minorities, and other underrepresented groups.
Q7. What costs are not covered?
Salaries, travel-only requests, commercial activities, insurance, and overheads.
Conclusion
The EDI and Outreach Grants from the Biochemical Society support small but impactful initiatives that improve inclusion and accessibility in molecular biosciences. By funding targeted outreach, training, and educational activities, the programme aims to reduce barriers and increase participation among underrepresented communities while promoting equitable access to science.
For more information, visit Biochemical Society.
