Aims/priorities: The EEF’s funding rounds focus on particular topics, and projects will be funded within selected themes under these topics.
The Spring 2025 funding round is for programmes focused on the post-16 theme.
The objective of this funding round is to support and evaluate programmes that seek to improve outcomes for post-16 learners. Programmes can be general or subject specific, across academic and technical qualifications, with the exception of apprenticeships, which sit outside of the EEF’s remit.
For this post-16 funding round, there are two funding streams for the different ways the programmes will be evaluated:
- Pilot: pilot includes independent evaluations of programmes that are fully developed and ready to be tested for feasibility in a small number of settings.
- Efficacy and effectiveness trials: efficacy includes independent evaluations of programmes that are ready to be trialled (subjected to an impact evaluation) under best possible conditions. Effectiveness is the stage after an efficacy trial and includes programmes that are already well evidenced and scaled, and ready to be trialled at a larger scale under everyday conditions.
Who can apply? This funding round is open to developers of programmes that seek to improve outcomes for post-16 learners and align with one or more of the Spring 2025 priority areas and sub-themes.
Any legally constituted organisation working with children and young people between the ages of two to 19 can apply.
Eligible applicants are as follows:
- Early Years Setting
- Primary school
- Secondary school
- Special school
- Further education college
- Sixth Form College
- Sixth form attached to a School
- Independent training provider
- University
- Local education authority
- Charity
- For profit company
- Multi-academy trust / Teaching School Alliance
- Community Enterprise Company
- Social Enterprise
Grant amount: It is envisaged that £200 million will be allocated in total over a 15 year period, with the extra fund value coming from fund-raising and investment returns.
There are no set minimum or maximum award amounts.
Past EEF grants to programme delivery organisations have ranged from £90,000 to £1.5 million.
Application process: There are usually two funding rounds a year (Spring and Autumn).
The Spring 2025 application window is open from 29 January 2025 to 14 March 2025 (11am).
Detailed guidance notes, frequently asked questions and online application forms are available on the EEF website.
There are separate application forms for the pilot programme and the efficacy and effectiveness trials programme.
A webinar will be held on Wednesday 5 February (3pm to 4pm). Registration is required.
Contact the Education Endowment Fund for further information.
Deadline: Friday 14 March 2025
Contact information: Email: applications@eefoundation.org.uk
Website: Education Endowment Foundation | EEF