Alternative routes to science engagement are more important than ever.
Professions across the chemical sciences are experiencing a skill and worker shortage. Demand for workers in chemistry-using sectors is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade with academic and vocational routes essential to meet this need. Access to science remains impacted by your background, location and teacher training, increasing the importance of alternative routes to science engagement.
The Outreach Fund provides opportunities for communities to engage and identify with the chemical sciences supporting alternative routes to science participation that contribute to addressing our sector challenges. So, it’s vital to know what the fund is doing well, and how it can be strengthened for the future.
The impact of the Outreach Fund
We commissioned Ondata Research to produce this report; our first external review of the fund. Alongside internal 欧美AV analysis, it shows the success of our fund 2020 to 2022, and has helped us identify our next actions.
Is the Outreach Fund making a difference?
Yes. According to the report, the fund makes a difference to participants, chemistry-using professionals, outreach professionals and organisations, by:
- raising aspirations and enabling inclusive access to the chemical sciences
- professional development of chemistry-using professionals, supporting the development of their competencies and their impact
- good practice in public engagement and outreach: delivering for priority audiences in the places and formats that work for them
- strategy, partnerships and funding: building the relationships and supporting the capabilities of the organisations and teams that are essential to delivering outreach and engagement
How can we strengthen the fund?
The Impact Report highlights opportunities to strengthen the fund. In response to the findings, we will:
Make it easier for eligible organisations to apply and report to the Outreach Fund, clarifying our expectations and providing clearer guidance to applicants, grant holders and completing projects
Signpost applicants more effectively to our priorities, evidence and resources – including research-informed good practice frameworks – to strengthen applications, projects and impact
Strengthen fund data collection and evaluation to support learning from what works, contributing to the sector and applicants’ understanding of impactful engagement
Improve the sharing of good practice and strengthen the support we provide to funded projects through cohort support, working with them to create a community of practice
Continue to support the scheme with knowledgeable and engaged staff, working closely with applicants and projects to ensure the scheme is accessible and to deliver the best outcomes for participants
Improve access to Outreach Fund volunteering from September 2024 through a coordinated volunteer opportunities board for members
Join in
The next round of the Outreach Fund is now open to members and eligible organisations
Find out more
Join us for an online drop-in to learn more about the Outreach Fund
Professional development resources in our new dedicated space in the 欧美AV member area:
For 欧美AV members who want to inspire the next generation of chemical scientists: