Aims/priorities: The Institute of Physics provides funding for projects across the UK and Ireland that improve people’s relationship with physics in their family or community groups.
In 2025, the funding will continue to focus on physics engagement projects that align with IOP’s Limit Less campaign, which aims to encourage young people currently underrepresented in the physics community to carry on doing physics post 16.
The funding is for projects that support the aims of the Limit Less campaign by reaching one or more of the target groups that are currently underrepresented in the physics community. IOP is specifically trying to reach families with young people under the age of 16 that identify with one or more of the following groups:
- Girls and young women.
- Disabled young people.
- LGBT+ young people.
- Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Black Caribbean young people.
Limit Less key messages are positive messages around physics that aim to challenge some of the stereotypes that put young people off doing physics post 16. They include:
- Doing physics empowers young people to change the world
- Physics is for people of all identities and backgrounds
- Physics depends on teamwork and diverse viewpoints
- Physicist is not the only career available to physics students
- Physics opens the door to many stable career options, including well-paid jobs that do not require a degree
This year (2025) IOP is trialling the introduction of a ‘Seed Fund’ to bring together non-physicist and physicist participants and develop a full grant application. The fund can be used to facilitate communication and build common ground between new partners, from which a full public engagement grant application could arise. This funding is to support the development of new partnership and is not provided to conduct public engagement activities.
Who can apply? Main Grant applications will be accepted from individuals and organisations across the UK and Ireland.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Community groups.
- Not-for-profit organisations.
- IOP members
- Museums
- Libraries
- Arts groups
- Researchers in academia or industry
Applications will also be considered from self-employed and freelance science communicators, artists, and content producers.
It is not a requirement to be a member of the IOP; however, projects will need to involve physicists to be considered for funding.
Seed Fund applicants must be aged 18+, be a UK or ROI resident (with an associated UK or ROI bank account), or applying on behalf of a UK or ROI resident. The partnership must consist of physicist and non-physicist partners who have not worked together on a project before. Full details are available in the Seed Fund criteria notes.
Grant amount: There are two different grants in 2025:
- Main Grants of between £500 and £4,000 to run physics-based activities in the UK and Ireland.
- Seed Fund grants of up to £500 to build new partnerships between physicists and non-physicists.
Application process: There will be two decision making points for Main Grants during the year:
- Round 1: Applications received between 3 February and 5 May. Applicants will receive a notification of the outcome of their application in early June, and payment no earlier than the end of June. Projects funded in Round 1 must start in 2025 and should be completed by 31 December 2025.
- Round 2: Applications received between 6 May and 1 September. Applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application in October, and payment no earlier than the end of October. Projects funded in Round 2 must start in 2025 and should be completed by 30 June 2026.
Guidelines, frequently asked questions and the online application forms (one for the Main Grant and another for the Seed Fund Grant) can be found on the IOP website.
Deadline: Seed Fund applications will be accepted from 3 February to 31 March 2025 (17:00).
Main Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from 3 February to 1 September 2025 (17:00).
Contact information: Email: engagement@iop.org
Website: Public Engagement Grant Scheme | Institute of Physics