Model.PageBodyTags
Scientific Outreach Grants

Funding for smaller projects

The Biochemical Society supports public engagement and outreach activities that communicate the excitement of molecular bioscience to young people and the community.

The types of projects that could be run with funding of up to £1000 include:

  • Re-using established activities/resources in a new context or with a new perspective.
  • Development of a new activity or resource for participants.
  • Inspiring workshops or lectures for students, teachers or communities.
  • Development of online content or activities that could be used to engage communities.
  • Community-led activities based on your research interests.

This is not an exhaustive list! We would love to hear about new ideas and approaches to public engagement and outreach.

Explore examples of the projects we have funded up to £1000 to find inspiration.

Please note that there must be a minimum of 6 weeks between the application deadline and the date of the event/activity. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the full application guidance and general conditions before submitting an application.

Application deadline

Applications are now closed for 2024 and will reopen in 2025.

  • This grant is open to all – you do not need to be a Biochemical Society member to apply.

  • This grant is open to applicants from any country.

Successful applications will provide clear and detailed explanations for the following:

  • The likelihood of delivery within the proposed timetable and within the funding requested.

  • Long-term benefits and outputs from the project.

  • The inclusion of interactive hands-on/practical work tailored to the target participants and format of activity.

  • The effectiveness of the project for disseminating relevant information about molecular biosciences to the desired participants. The effectiveness will be considered in terms of the attractiveness of the activity to the target participants and the soundness of the underpinning science. A guide for targeting different age groups is below:

    • Age 4-7 – need to have a 'science focus', not necessarily on biology.
    • Age 7-11 – need to incorporate a/some biological theme(s) within a broader science focus.
    • Age 11-14 – support for biology within a balanced science curriculum.
    • Age 14-18 – support for biology, with increasing emphasis on molecular biology.
    • Post-18 – support for molecular biosciences in their own right.
  • The number and demographic of participants reached by the project, e.g., young people, teachers, members of the public, volunteers and communities involved in developing the project or the people to whom material is passed on.

  • Widening participation in bioscience, with regard to underrepresented groups in science and/or higher education, or groups that have limited access to scientific engagement activities. Read more under further resources.

  • Inclusive practice when interacting with participants.

  • Measuring and evaluating the potential impact of the project.
  • Collaborations between organisations, such as schools, universities, businesses, community centres, science and discovery centres.

  • The promotion of molecular bioscience career opportunities

  • Previous experience of the applicant taking part in outreach or engagement projects. Please note that we welcome ‘first time’ applicants, and support can be offered by the Society if required.

Following the award of funding and implementation of the project, the Society expects an output from the activity to ensure a longer-term impact.

Examples of outputs for this level of funding could be:

  • Resource/activity pack that could be used by others to run the activity again.
  • A guide to running the activity for others to use.
  • An article in The Biochemist that would encourage others to engage in similar activities.
  • Training of relevant individuals who can continue to deliver the engagement activities.

Grant recipients are also required to submit a report within 12 weeks of the funded activity taking place.

  • Grants cannot be used to:
     
    • Support commercial activities. 
    • Support activities that are clearly contributing to recruitment to a particular institution or organisation. Where recruitment may be a factor, the institution will be expected to provide some of their own funding.
    • Fund projects where the only costs are travel and/or refreshments.

  • The Recipient must acknowledge the Biochemical Society grant by email within a week of receiving the offer email, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.

  • The Biochemical Society logo will be provided and must be displayed on all published material which arises from the grant project, either online or in print. At any event(s) which take place as a result of funding, the recipient must ensure any marketing materials provided by the Biochemical Society are displayed at all times.

  • The Biochemical Society cannot be held responsible for any of the Recipient’s debts or liabilities.

  • The Recipient is responsible for obtaining their own financial and legal advice. 

  • The Recipient must act in accordance with government legislation and is responsible for obtaining any licenses, permissions and insurances that are necessary by law.

  • In the case of original research being produced as a result of the Biochemical Society Scientific Outreach Grant scheme, the Biochemical Society must be acknowledged as the funder of this research in all publications. The intellectual property of the work will remain with the individual(s), groups, charities or businesses by whom it was carried out.
Front cover of multiple issues of The Biochemist magazine in a fan shape.

Interested in setting up and running an outreach project?

Explore our outreach collection in The Biochemist to hear from previous awardees of our Scientific Outreach Grants.

Find out more

Hear from a Committee member

Members of our Reviewing Panels took part in a Biochemistry Focus webinar titled 'How to apply for Biochemical Society grants: Education, Research and Outreach'.

Hear from Dr Helen Watson, who discusses what to include in a Scientific Outreach Grant application.

Need support with planning your project?

Explore our tips, considerations and resources to help you start planning an effective and engaging public engagement or outreach activity.

Contact us

For further information on eligibility and new projects get in touch with the Grants department.

For support with an existing activity get in touch with the Education department.

Related grants

Please find other related funding opportunities below.

Share This