Grants are available twice a year for UK schools in challenging circumstances to run CREST Awards with students (aged 3 to 19 years) who are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
CREST Awards aim to inspire children and young people to think and behave like scientists and engineers. It is the British Science Association’s (BSA) flagship education programme for student-led project work in STEM. Once students complete CREST projects, they are recognised with a CREST Award certificate from the BSA.
A grant of £350 is available for schools to run CREST awards which can be spent on materials, equipment, a field trip, teacher CPD, etc. In addition, awardees will also receive up to £350 CREST Awards for free.
The funding is only available for ‘school’ settings. This includes schools; colleges; Ofsted-registered early years settings; nurseries; and preschools.
Applicants need to meet at least one of the following three criteria:
- At least 30% of pupils are eligible for free school meals or equivalent.
- At least 30% of pupils are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
- Is based in a remote and rural location.
Priority will be given to schools whose planned engagement clearly demonstrates a commitment to the following:
- Involving and supporting children and young people eligible for pupil premium, from ethnic minority backgrounds, with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or from any other groups of young people more likely to be underrepresented in STEM.
- Supporting girls and non-binary young people to develop their STEM skills, understanding and passions.
- Engaging children and young people with lower prior attainment or in mixed attainment science groupings, and those who would not normally choose to participate in STEM activities.
- Activities that are cross-curricular and/or involve collaboration between science and other subject areas, particularly if it is outside STEM (e.g. history, art, music).
- Engagement that involves whole classes or whole year groups.
- Engagement outside of traditional science contexts like STEM clubs and lessons.
Applications will be accepted from 9 September to 14 October 2025 (17:00).
