IOP Ireland Outreach Grants

IOP Ireland awards funding from €100-€1,000 to support outreach activities and initiatives in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The IOP Ireland Outreach Grant Scheme has recently been updated to support the Limit Less campaign and is informed by the learning we have accrued over recent years with respect to equality, diversity and inclusion, the digital divide, and personal wellbeing.

All applicants should familiarise themselves with both the IOP’s Physics for our future 2024-2029 strategy and Limit Less campaign webpages before applying.

• Full details and guidelines are available in this applicant guide (PDF, 268KB)
• Applicants are asked to fill in this application form

The purpose of this grant scheme is to:

• Raise public awareness of, and engagement with, contemporary physics
• Inspire and enthuse public audiences, especially those not previously interested in physics
• Reach young people in underrepresented groups within physics (those who identify as girls/women, LGBT+, Black Caribbean, disabled, and from disadvantaged backgrounds) and their influencers beyond the classroom
• Develop the science communication skills of physicists
• Develop the science skills of communicators, artists, community organisers and cultural groups

In line with the purposes of this grant scheme a priority of funding has been set. This will be implemented if there are more applications than funds available in the relevant round:

• Highest priority - Outreach work and promotion of Limit Less and EDI-related goals
• Second priority - Inclusion of the above in a conference or event
• Third priority - General support for conferences and events

2024 funding rounds

• Deadline 29 March – spending to commence 13 May onwards
• Deadline 28 June – spending to commence 12 August onwards
• Deadline 27 September – spending to commence 11 November onwards
• Deadline 29 November – spending to commence 13 January 2025 onwards

Marking criteria

1. Physics content – Is there clear evidence of quality physics content or physicist involvement in the creation and/or delivery of the activity?
2. Alignment with IOP strategy – Does the activity align with IOP’s Physics for our future 2024-29 strategy or Limit Less campaign? Does it encourage young people to engage with physics? Does it reach underrepresented audiences? Is it designed with accessibility in mind?
3. Use of funds – Is there strong evidence that the spending of IOP funds is planned and allocated appropriately? Does the use of funds progress inclusion in physics?
4. Evaluation – Is there evidence that an evaluation plan is in place, is it practically achievable and how will this data be used?
5. Legacy – Does the application outline potential for the project or products of the activity to be repeated, scaled up, transferred to another owner or otherwise furthered?

If your question is not answered in the applicant guide (PDF, 268KB) please contact the team via [email protected].

Example of a funded project

STEM #Unfiltered is a photography competition which brings together and showcases images of beautiful science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) in our everyday lives, created by budding scientists of all ages across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Find out more about QUB STEM #Unfiltered Photography Competition

Institute of Physics UK-wide and Ireland funding opportunities

The IOP has a Public Engagement Grant Scheme which provides up to £3,000 to individuals and organisations running physics-based events and activities in the UK and Ireland.