Science in Society Programme - Aims and Objectives

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for an Award, even though I'm not a scientist or teacher?

• Anyone can apply for an Award, but you must be linked (or be prepared to link) with an organisation with audited accounts. The organisation will take financial responsibility for any Award. Any application must be relevant to publicising or teaching the STFC Science areas.
  
  Note, also, that you will need to include a researcher within your project team. The researcher is expected to act as an advisor on current science and need not take an active part in delivering the project. If your team does not include a researcher, we will help you, if required, to identify a suitable person.

How soon will we know whether our application has been successful?

• For the Spring Round of Small Awards we aim to let you know officially by 30 June. For the Autumn round you should know by Christmas.

Does the application have to be typed or done on a computer?

• No, as long as they are legible we are happy with hand-written applications.

How many copies of the application do I need to submit?

• Two. One signed hard copy and one electronic copy.

Can I apply for funding from STFC even though I have been promised money from other sources?

• Yes, we encourage partnerships, however due to pressures on our funds; our judges are unlikely to recommend funding a project that would still go ahead without funding from STFC.

Can I apply to the Small Awards Scheme for funding to help us become a 'specialist school'?

• No. It is outside our remit as a research council to find the direct development of schools. However, if we were to Award you funding for a specific project you may be able to count that funding towards part of your school's development, it would be up to you to decide.

If I do receive an Award, when will I get the money?

• Awards take the form of a contract between the Award winner and STFC. The Award will be paid at the completion of the project and when we have received the `final report'. Occasionally we can make staged payments, but you will need to arrange that with us in advance. There must also be a correlation between the amount of the staged payment, and the amount of work completed on the project.

If my application is successful when can I start working on the project?

• If your application is successful you will receive a formal 'offer letter' and an acceptance certificate. You will need to complete the certificate, giving the date you first spent money against the project. This date cannot be before the official start date shown in the offer letter. When you apply please be realistic about the likely start date of your project.

What form should the final report take?

• We provide a report form, which we ask you to use. This asks you to refer to your original aims and objectives, and indicate how well these aims and objectives were met. As far as possible, you should identify those factors which influenced the development of the project (whether positively or negatively). You should also refer to the methods by which you measured the project's success. You should also include a Financial Statement giving a brief breakdown of how the funds awarded were spent.

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