The Nottinghamshire Festival of Science and Curiosity (Notts FOSAC) has opened its annual Community Grants Programme for applications.
The Nottinghamshire Festival of Science and Curiosity has been for the past ten years, delivering a two-week festival each February that aims to engage new audiences across Nottinghamshire with science and curiosity. The Festival aims to change perceptions of science in our everyday lives, stimulate innovation and creativity and facilitate dialogue between scientists, researchers and civil society. The Festival is a programme delivered by Nottingham-based education charity Ignite!.
By working as a partnership with a wide range of organisations, including universities, schools, libraries, community and cultural organisations, the Festival has reached far and wide into Nottinghamshire, taking activities out into community spaces where everyone can interact, engage and express their curiosity.
However, the Festival recognises that more can be done to engage with specific audiences that are currently not directly involved, and the Community Grants programme has, for the past two years, aimed to do just this.
For the 2026 Festival (Monday 9 – Friday 20 February), Community Grants will be awarded to groups or organisations to engage their audiences with science and curiosity through a project or event during the 2026 Festival. Grants of up to £500 each will be awarded and it is expected that there will be between three and six grants awarded. The grants will have a particular focus on reaching children & families who are of Black/Black British heritage, children who are disabled and children & families who live in areas that are remote or areas of disadvantage.
Organisations interested in applying are encouraged to get in touch with the Ignite! team to discuss their ideas before applying. The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 26 October 2026.
Full guidance information and the application form can be found on the 2026 page of the Notts FOSAC website.