# Grants of up to £5k available to help children get into STEM

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/03/08/grants-of-up-to-5k-available-to-help-children-get-into-stem/
- Published: 2024-03-08T10:03:44+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**National Grid and Localgiving are providing £250k of funding for groups that inspire
children to engage with STEM subjects and go beyond what is covered by the regular
school curriculum.**

The [Community Matters Fund (STEM Educational Support)](https://localgiving.org/community-matters-fund-2024-stem-educational-support)
seeks to support groups of young people in economically disadvantaged communities
and those who are marginalised and underrepresented within STEM.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for registered charities and non-profit companies,
and unregistered community organisations can apply for up to £2,000.

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To be successful, projects need to meet at least one of the following themes:

 * Open the eyes of a new generation to the exciting possibilities of a career in
   STEM, for example, projects that bring the area to life in a lively and engaging
   way.
 * Inspire further confidence and widen the skills of those already interested in
   STEM, for example via hands-on workshops and interactive experiments.
 * Break down barriers with access to tools, time, and resources for those for whom
   STEM’s potential may be unfamiliar, for example, launching after-school coding
   clubs or giving access to 3D printers.

Andrei Yusfin, CEO of Localgiving, which is managing the delivery of the grant, 
commented:

> “We are delighted to again be partnering with National Grid for the latest Community
> Matters Fund. As an organisation built on digital technology, we are particularly
> proud of helping support the next generation be inspired by the potential of STEM.
> There’s some real vibrancy and engagement from our community when it comes to 
> supporting youthful ambition and we are very excited to have opened this grant.”

Ellie Patey, Community Engagement Manager for National Grid Electricity Distribution,
said:

> “Big challenges facing schools around resources, time allocation and funding have
> proven major barriers to engaging kids with this vital area of learning. National
> Grid is committed to widening the appeal of these exciting subjects which can 
> lead to fulfilling and rewarding careers.
>  
> “Inspiring the STEM leaders of tomorrow not only supports National Grid’s wider
> objectives to deliver a clean, fair and affordable energy future, but also plays
> a part in meeting the anticipated 400,000 roles needed between now and 2050 to
> reach the UK’s net zero targets.”

Applications opened on Wednesday 6 March and close on Wednesday 27 March. Grants
for will be distributed in April.

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