The Inspiring Science Fund
The Inspiring Science Fund supports Science Centres across the UK. It's a capital fund that helps centres rethink what they do and what they offer to the public. The scheme is co-funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Wellcome.
ASDC were instrumental in the creation of this fund to support UK Science Centres, so they can offer more to schools and the public across the UK.
In overview
Proposal stage: Production and project delivery, developing practice and building networks, developing your organisation
Level of funding: £150,000 to £3 million
Duration of funding: All projects must be completed by March 2021
Where your activity will take place: UK
Timescales
Applications open: 9th August 2017
Preliminary applications deadline: 19th October 2017
Invited full applications deadline: 28th February 2018
Interviews: 12th and 13th June 2018
Who can apply
The Inspiring Science Fund is open to existing not-for-profit and charitable Science Centres in the UK. The Funders are looking for projects that will become examples of best practice in the Science Centre sector.
You should be able to demonstrate:
- A compelling vision of how you will develop your centre’s spaces, facilities or infrastructure
- A strategic activities plan
- How your project will improve your organisation's long-term financial sustainability and resilience.
To be eligible, your Science Centre should:
- Have been in existence for at least one year
- Attract a minimum of 30,000 public visitors a year
- Have a proven and viable business model.
Aims of The Inspiring Science Fund (as stated at the time)
7 August 2018
Inspiring Science Fund
The Inspiring Science Fund is co-funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Wellcome. BEIS’ role will transfer to UK Research and Innovation in 2018. The scheme supports science centres to rethink what they do and what they offer to the public. The aims of the fund are to revitalise the offer of existing science centres through capital development, such as new exhibition spaces and learning centres, and the opportunity to develop meaningful engagement with underserved and underrepresented audiences. This opportunity to refresh how science centres are operating will lead to more sustainable business models, and contribute to science centre sector development through shared learning.