Small Grants for Education

Update 19/12/2023: This scheme is not currently open for applications. The scheme will re-open on 1 August 2024.

Objectives

To stimulate interest and enable involvement in mathematics from Key Stage 1 (age 5+) to Undergraduate level and beyond, by:

  1. enhancing and enriching mathematical study beyond the curriculum;
  2. engaging the public with mathematics;
  3. encouraging unusual ways of communicating mathematics.

Eligibility

The scheme is primarily intended for activities for which there is limited scope for alternative sources of funding.  Applicants linked to universities should ideally be supported by a member of the Society and ordinarily the Scheme will not fund University outreach activity.  However, anyone based in the UK is eligible to apply for a grant.

Criteria

  1. The grant should make an identifiable and significant contribution (i.e. grants are for specific purposes and not just a contribution to a substantially larger pool).
  2. The grant should preferably stimulate interactions between different sections of the mathematical community and/or address a new or wider audience.
  3. Each application should be countersigned by someone (such as a headteacher or senior colleague) who can confirm the project’s value and indicate what additional support is being provided locally.
  4. LMS support should be duly acknowledged in any publicity material.
  5. A brief report will be required after the activity or event has taken place.

The grant is not intended to:

  1. pay the full costs of an activity;
  2. pay full economic costs, or room hire charges, or teaching supply cover;
  3. replicate or replace other funding sources, but rather try to complement them.

Value of award

The committee will usually look to an upper limit for awards in the range £600-£800.

Application deadlines and decision dates

Four rounds of grant applications are considered per year. Decisions on applications are made by the LMS Education Committee at the nearest committee meeting held after an application deadline.

Applications for a particular round must be submitted before the deadline for that round.

Applications should be submitted well in advance of the activity or event for which funding is sought and grants will not be awarded retrospectively. This means applications for events or activities which take place before the decision date in a particular round will not be considered.

The application deadlines are as follows:

Round Application deadline Decision date
1 31 August September
2 30 November December
3 31 January February
4 30 April May

Questions and queries

Queries regarding applications can be addressed to the Education Grants administrator, Kieran O'Connor, who will be pleased to discuss proposals informally with potential applicants and give advice on the submission of an application.

E-mail: education@lms.ac.uk
Tel: 020 7927 0801

Application forms

Completed application forms should be sent to the Education Grants administrator, Kieran O'Connor: education@lms.ac.uk; postal address: London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, 57-58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS.

Small Grants for Education application form (Word)

Small Grants for Education application form (PDF)