The Royal Society has launched a new £1.4 million Science Community Grant, funded by The Julia Rausing Trust, to expand practical science education in schools across the UK. The initiative will provide up to £105,000 each to ten selected STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) organizations that will partner with schools and colleges in areas of unmet need to deliver practical, investigative science projects. Over three years, the scheme will bring in-depth classroom science projects to thousands of students, aiming to inspire and engage the next generation of scientists.
Announced at a Royal Society conference focused on the importance of practical science, the program has been developed in response to concerns about the decline of hands-on science activities in schools. The Science Education Tracker, published in March 2024, reported that although students expressed a strong interest in more practical science, participation has declined. In 2023, only 38% of students in years 7–9 reported doing practical work at least once a fortnight, compared to 47% in 2019.
The new grant scheme is intended to help reverse this decline by supporting schools in developing long-term partnerships with the wider STEM community. Each funded organization will work with at least 25 schools, engaging multiple student groups across three academic years. Students will conduct small-scale investigations lasting at least one term, supported by STEM professionals who will visit schools and colleges throughout the projects. The initiative will also establish networks among participating schools, promoting collaboration, sharing expertise, and strengthening local STEM education beyond the duration of the grant.
The Science Community Grant builds on the Royal Society’s longstanding Partnership Grants program, which has supported more than 1,300 schools and colleges across the UK since 2000. That program has helped students carry out investigative projects with real-world relevance alongside STEM professionals, on topics ranging from studying the DNA of daffodils to searching for new antimicrobial compounds in soil. By scaling up this approach, the new scheme aims to extend opportunities for students—particularly in regions with limited access to practical science—to develop scientific knowledge alongside critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
The initiative underscores that connecting classroom learning to real-world applications enhances student engagement and demonstrates how science can address shared challenges. It also aims to strengthen science education nationwide, nurture future scientists and innovators, and encourage wider investment in practical science learning across the UK.
Click here to read the original press release.
