Funding
There are many sources of funding available for events and projects in the UK during IYA2009.

For example:

Scottish Government Special Events round of the Science Engagement Grant Scheme 2008-09
There will be an additional (Special Events) round of the Science Engagement Grant Scheme for 2008-09. This invites applications to support activities related to two events in 2009 - Darwin 200 and the International Year of Astronomy 2009

Funding of up to £120,000 is available to support the special events.

Support will be given to pan Scotland initiatives that involved strong partnerships with other science engagement organisations to help ensure that across Scotland people are engaged with the special events.

The closing dates for applications is 12 December 2008

An application form and guidance notes on completing this are here

Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) grants for IYA2009
The Royal Astronomical Society is offering a number of grants to organisations (astronomical societies, educational establishments, heritage organisations etc) who wish to run events, exhibitions or other activities as part of IYA2009, especially (but not limited to) the Cornerstone projects of special UK interest and especially (but not limited to) events taking place in the designated weeks. Grants may only be offered to projects registered with the UK Project Office; a Project Proposal Document is available from the UK Coordinator, Steve Owens. (Applications for registration and an RAS grant may be made in parallel.) RAS will distribute the grants in response to applications received by each of two rounds, with deadlines of 31 May 2008 (grants announced by 31 July 2008) and 15 October 2008 (grants announced by 15 December 2008).

The RAS IYA2009 grant scheme is now closed for 2008.

Applications should normally be for sums between £250 and £5,000. Applications for amounts outside these guidelines should address this point explicitly; and where relevant, applicants should make clear why other sources of funding are unavailable or inappropriate.

Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) "Science in Society" funding schemes
The Science in Society programme Small Awards Scheme provides funds for small, local or 'pilot' projects promoting STFC science and technology. Anyone can apply, including grant-funded research groups, STFC research facility users, schools, museums, etc. Awards range from £500 to £15,000 and the expenditure can go towards materials, salaries and travel & subsistence.

The Science Centre Scheme is a funding scheme specifically for Science and Discovery Centres and Museums. Up to £20,000 may be available for projects which promote Astronomy, Space, Nuclear and Particle Physics to the 11-16 age range.

Deadline for both the small awards scheme (£500 - £15,000) and Science Centre awards scheme (up to £20,000) was 17 October 2008. Future closing dates for awards schemes will be announced in due course.

Institute of Physics (IoP) "Public Engagement" grant scheme
The Institute's public engagement grant scheme is designed to give financial support of up to £1000 to individuals and organisations running physics-based events and activities in the UK and Ireland. The 2009 grant scheme will have two rounds. The closing date for applications to Round One is 07 November 2008.

Institute of Physics in Scotland "Engaging the Public" grant scheme

The Institute of Physics in Scotland actively encourages its members and others to communicate exciting aspects and applications of physics to a wide audience. The Institute in Scotland’s grant scheme is designed to give financial support of up to £2,000 (under exceptional circumstances and with the appropriate justification additional financial support may be considered) to individuals and organisations running physics-based events and activities. Information and guidelines for making an application to the Institute of Physics in Scotland can be found here. If you do wish to make an application for grant, please complete this application form.

National Science and Engineering Week (06 - 15 March 2009) School grants
For National Science and Engineering Week 2009 there are funds for a number of schools within the UK to organise their own science and engineering events as part of the Week.

In order to distribute the fund to as many deserving schools as possible, the award for successful applicants has been set at £150 - £250 each; however, for cases of exceptional circumstance, a small proportion of the fund has also been ring-fenced to fund larger grants of up to £500.

The deadline for applications is 28 November 2008

Federation of Astronomical Societies (FAS) Funding for Regional Groups
The regional groups are of great importance to the FAS. We are also aware that these groups always find it very hard to support their activities without relying on individual societies. The FAS is glad to announce that we are, for the International Year of Astronomy, able to offer small funding opportunities for regional activities. Applications should be received by 20 October 2008 (e-mail only) and all awards will be decided on at the November council meeting. Please see our online form for more information. If you require further guidance please contact the Secretary.

Robert Cormack Bequest Committee Small Astronomy Grants
The Robert Cormack Bequest Committee is able to make small Research Grants to individuals or groups for Public Understanding of Science activities in Scotland. This scheme is intended to help set up new projects, or to add new elements to existing ones, rather than to fund ongoing activities. Funded projects must benefit a wider audience (e.g. public visitors, whole school) rather than the recipients of the funds (e.g. Astronomical Society, School Class or Club). A total of £1000 is available this year and it is most likely that this will be divided among a number of awards. The outcome of applications will be announced in late November.

Bids for funding should be no more than one side of A4 and indicate briefly:

1) Duration and nature of your Public Understanding of Science and Technology (PUST) project
2) Intended audience type and size (number reached)
3) Sum requested and purpose to which it will be put
4) Your past experience in the PUST area
5) Your other sources of funding in this area.

Bids should be sent to Anne Fraser, Research and International Awards Manager, Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ by Friday, 17th October 2008. Bids can also be submitted in the form of plain text e-mail ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or by fax: 0131 240 5024