(Source: BNSC)

A key goal in the current UK space strategy is to increase awareness among the general public of the UK's space programme and of the role that space plays in everyday life. We also believe that space has an important role to play in inspiring and educating the next generation.

Many groups, societies and individuals across the UK share this ambition and can help us explain the importance of space. To this end, BNSC will shortly launch its 'Space for All' community sponsorship award scheme. This is a competitive process which will offer small grants (up to a maximum of £5000 for each award) to groups ready to present the UK's space programme and stimulate the use of space in inspiration and learning.

Projects may be targeted at specific audiences and may include:

* sponsorship of events
* delivery of curriculum enrichment activities
* delivery of activities to promote careers in the space sector
* preparation of plans for long term projects
* development of web or social media outreach content

The process will involve a web-based application form and a judging panel led by BNSC and supported by representatives of the UK space community. Judging criteria will include the quality and practicality of the proposals, the size of the audience that will be reached, and the extent of alignment with the BNSC's civil space strategy (pdf - 1427 Kb). A preference will be given to projects that will reach an audience hitherto unaware of the UK's space programme.

We anticipate the following schedule:

Opening of award scheme 23 November 2009
Proposals to be received 4 January 2010
Decisions communicated to proposers 15 January 2010
Projects to be completed 31 March 2011

This pilot call will have a total budget of £30,000 and BNSC will evaluate the success and impact of the scheme before deciding on making this a permanent part of our programme.

Get your thinking caps on: the sky is no limit!