Partnership Grants

Staff at UK schools and colleges, including the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, applying with an eligible active STEM professional. Projects serve students aged 5–18. Schools abroad and projects/travel outside the UK are excluded.

A school/college staff member must lead the application with a STEM professional from academia or industry. Eligible schools/colleges, including sixth-form/further-education institutions, must be in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and support students aged 5–18. Reception classes may participate alongside other ages. Extracurricular schools/clubs and schools abroad are ineligible. The lead STEM partner must be actively working, not retired, and above graduate level in a university/research institute or have appropriate industrial experience. Their expertise must fit the project. A person whose main role is outreach/education, including a fellow teacher, cannot normally lead as STEM partner; a research-background outreach provider may be considered for an appropriate project. The project must be a new initiative the school could not undertake without the grant. It needs one specific STEM research question and practical student investigation, including a clear investigative element for design/build work; it cannot simply be unrelated club experiments, a third-party scheme or competition. It must last at least one full term and at most six terms over two years. Mental-health/wellbeing projects are excluded. Students are the researchers, so investigations using them as subjects should be limited; human/animal work needs appropriate ethical consideration. Students should represent the school population, with selection and SEND support explained. The school lead must start both stages. Stage 1 checks eligibility; Stage 2 requires project plans, budget, timeline, partner involvement, a second school staff contact and legacy plans. The lead STEM partner and head teacher/principal must countersign Stage 2; if the head is the school lead, a deputy or senior leader signs that part. Both stages are required. Each school/college may apply only once per round. Previous recipients need at least one year between application rounds, a new lead applicant and completed reporting for the original project. Any generative-AI use must be responsible and acknowledged as described by the funder.

1. Confirm you meet the eligibility requirements on the official page.
2. Submit before 1 December 2026 (provider’s stated deadline).
3. Apply directly through the provider – Growth Forum does not process applications.