Is your Science Centre eligible to apply?
For this programme, the eligibility criteria is very similar to that of the over-arching Inspiring Science Fund (ISF). You can absolutely apply if you haven’t had a grant from this ISF before.
Science Centre’s will be eligible to apply for funding if:
- They attract a minimum of 30,000 public visitors a year (in a pre-Covid year)
- They have been in existence for at least one year
- They could apply for ISF in the past, or were funded through either round of ISF.
- They have a STEM venue that pre-Covid was accessible to the public or schools for most days of the year.
- Although the Centres do not need to be a member of the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres, applicants will need to demonstrate how they are sharing knowledge, best practice and the latest ideas with colleagues nationally in an ongoing and effective manner.
For clarity, the following organisations and projects are not eligible to apply for this grant, unless included above:
- UK National Museums and Museums sponsored by central Government.
- Museums that pre-Covid would have been eligible to apply for capital funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Arts Council for Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Creative Scotland. Note, this relates to capital grants not smaller project grants from these agencies.
- Museums that can apply for funds from The Museums Association grant fund programmes.
- Zoos and aquaria which despite doing great projects, are not the target for this programme.
- Projects dedicated to engaging the public with historic collections of science.
To apply for this programme click here to read more and download the Invitation to Participate and the Application Form.
Applications for this programme closed on 29th January 2021.
