The Royal Society has announced the launch of a new Science Community Grant scheme to revitalise hands-on science education in UK schools, made possible through a £1.4 million donation from The Julia Rausing Trust (JRT). The initiative aims to strengthen students’ engagement with practical science and inspire the next generation of scientists.
The scheme will provide up to £105,000 each to ten STEM organisations, enabling them to partner with schools and colleges in under-resourced areas on investigative science projects. Over the next three years, the programme will reach thousands of students, bringing real-world scientific inquiry into classrooms. The launch, announced at a Royal Society conference on the importance of practical science, follows growing concerns about a decline in hands-on experimentation in schools. According to the Science Education Tracker (2024), only 38% of students in years 7–9 reported doing practical science at least once a fortnight, down from 47% in 2019.
Each selected organisation will collaborate with at least 25 schools over three academic years, guiding students through term-long investigations supported by visits from STEM professionals. These collaborations will also create local STEM networks that share expertise, extending the benefits of the programme beyond the life of the grant.
Building on the Royal Society’s Partnership Grants programme, which since 2000 has funded over 1,300 schools to conduct investigative science projects, the new initiative expands opportunities for schools in areas with limited access to scientific engagement. It will help young people develop not only scientific knowledge but also essential skills such as teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.
Professor Bryan Turner, Chair of the Partnership Grants Committee, highlighted that students become more invested when they can connect classroom science to real-world challenges. He said the new programme would allow more schools to access these opportunities, demonstrating how science can address community issues and equip students for the future.
Simon Fourmy, Chief Executive of The Julia Rausing Trust, expressed hope that the initiative will “revitalise hands-on science in schools” and inspire other investors to support practical science education across the UK. By encouraging experimentation and exploration, he added, the scheme aims to nurture a new generation of scientists and innovators.
