Royal Society
Could Royal Society fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £500 – £30,000
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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royalsociety.orgAbout Royal Society
The Royal Society, established in 1660 as the world's oldest scientific academy, champions excellence in science for the benefit of humanity. Guided by values of integrity, independence, inclusivity, and open inquiry, it advances natural knowledge through curiosity-driven research, international collaboration, and evidence-based policy advice. The Society funds frontier research across biology, physical sciences, maths, engineering, and medical science, prioritising early- and mid-career researchers, underrepresented STEM communities, school children, and young professionals. What distinguishes the Royal Society is its rigorous peer review by elected fellows and its focus on both fundamental discovery and societal solutions.
What Royal Society funds
The Royal Society supports investigator-led projects, capacity building, science education, outreach, public engagement, and international partnerships. Programmes include Research Grants, Partnership Grants engaging schools, Science Community Grants, the Outreach Fund, and Places of Science for museums. Supported activities cover curiosity-driven research, community investigations, and evidence-based policy advice across biology, physical sciences, maths, engineering, and medical science. The Society funds work in the UK, with some international collaborations allowed.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, academic institutions, community groups, schools, and research bodies. The Society prioritises early- and mid-career researchers, underrepresented STEM communities, school children, and young professionals. There are no income thresholds for applicants, and a UK base is required. Written confirmation from a Head of Department may be needed if an application is successful.
How they like to fund
The Royal Society funds projects through a range of programmes, supporting both one-off and multi-year activities. It welcomes unsolicited applications and does not require match funding. Funding covers project costs, equipment, and limited overheads, but not standard core costs.
How much does Royal Society give?
Royal Society runs 3 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 5 sourced facts
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
Good to know
How to apply to Royal Society
Royal Society takes applications via online form.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Royal Society could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Royal Society provide?
Royal Society typically provides grants of £500 - £30,000.
Where does Royal Society fund charities?
Royal Society funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Royal Society accept unsolicited applications?
Royal Society accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
How do I apply for funding from Royal Society?
Royal Society takes applications via online form. Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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Could Royal Society be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.