We offer grants to qualified Froebelian educators to support them in their work and to help them share their expertise with others.
The Froebel Trust offers two kinds of grants to educators working in schools and Early Years settings. These grants aim to support settings' work with young children and their families and communities:
- Practice Development Grants - These grants (up to £5k) are available to early years settings and schools in the UK which want to further develop an aspect of Froebelian practice. This includes childminder networks and collaborations.
- Action Research Grants - These grants (up to £5k) give educators / teachers the opportunity to undertake an action research project about an aspect of early years practice with a Froebelian approach. It's an opportunity for educators to further develop their current practice and work with a research mentor.
Note: Please scroll down for further details and to access the online application forms.
We particularly welcome applications to fund projects and educators working with children and families in areas of deprivation across the UK. Priority will be given to high-scoring grant applicants who have never received Froebel Trust funding before.
Practice Development Grants
To apply for one of these small grants (up to £5000), we require that one member of the management team plus one other educator at your school or setting has completed the Froebel Trust Short Courses or one of the Froebel Trust endorsed courses.
If you are interested in applying for a grant:
- have a look at our case study map with examples of Froebel Trust funded projects
- search by keyword through our online Froebel Trust funded research and project library for examples of what we've funded before.
Each of our grants and bursary schemes has different criteria, but the overarching theme that runs through all the work we support, is that it builds on and advances knowledge and understanding of Froebelian principles and approaches.
How do I apply?
Download the guidance for applicants (2024)
Then complete and submit an online application form.
The application form must be submitted to us by 4pm on Thursday 2 May 2024 (UK time).
We cannot accept applications sent by email or post.
Note: You can save your application before it has been completed and continue at a later date. You will need to create a password to do this.
If you have any queries about our grants or the application process please contact Victoria Arneil, Programme Manager (Grants & Events) e: office@froebeltrust.org.uk
Frequently asked questions
We will add to these FAQs as and when we receive and respond to any enquiries from applicants. If your question isn’t covered here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Apply for a grant
The deadline for practice development grant applications is Thursday 2 May 2024 (4pm UK Time)
Online application formCan I apply for a Practice Development Grant?
I work with but not in settings / schools. Can I still apply for a Practice Development Grant?
I work in a setting outside the UK. Can I apply?
How much funding can I apply for?
What is meant by 'leadership role'?
How long should my project last?
What happens to my application after I submit it?
Can I talk to someone about my application?
Can I partner with other settings?
What kinds of projects has the Froebel Trust funded in the past?
Action Research Grants
Our Action Research Grants give educators / teachers the opportunity to undertake an action research project about an aspect of early years practice with a Froebelian approach.
It's an opportunity for educators to further develop their current practice and work with a research mentor.
Small grants (up to a maximum of £5000) are available to early years settings (including schools) which work with children aged between birth and eight years, their families and local communities.
Previous research experience is beneficial but not essential. We can help you to find a mentor who can guide or support your research. These grants are designed to encourage early years educators / teachers to explore any aspect of their Froebelian practice.
Applicants must show a commitment to a Froebelian approach to early childhood education and care. To be eligible to apply, the lead for the project must have completed the Froebel Trust Short Courses or a Froebel Trust endorsed course.
We encourage applicants to suggest a research project which reflects your community, your practice, your interests and experience. What do you want to find out? What question(s) do you hope to answer?
How do I apply?
Download the guidance for action research grant applicants (2024)
Then complete and submit an online application form.
The application form must be submitted to us by 4pm on Thursday 2 May 2024 (UK time). We cannot accept applications sent by email or post.
Note: You can save your application before it has been completed and continue at a later date. You will need to create a password to do this.
If you have any queries about our grants or the application process please contact Victoria Arneil, Programme Manager (Grants & Events) e: office@froebeltrust.org.uk
Frequently asked questions
We will add to these FAQs as and when we receive and respond to any enquiries from applicants. If your question isn’t covered here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Apply for an action research grant
The deadline for grant applications is Thursday 2 May 2024 (4pm UK Time)
Online application formWhat is an action research project?
What kinds of action research projects has the Froebel Trust funded before?
Can I apply for an Action Research Grant?
I work with but not in settings/ schools. Can I still apply for an Action Research Grant?
I work in a setting outside the UK. Can I apply for an Action Research grant?
How much funding can I apply for?
Do I need to know or be a research mentor?
How much should I budget for a research mentor?
Who are the research mentors?
What is meant by 'a leadership role'?
How long should my project last?
What happens to my application after I submit it?
Can I talk to someone about my application?
Can I partner with other settings?
Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion
Our vision at the Froebel Trust is of an inclusive organisation which is accessible to all. We recognise that to achieve this we must demonstrate equality, equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. Everyone should feel represented and see themselves reflected in our policies and structures, our people, our audiences, our events, our projects and our publications.
The Froebel Trust’s aim is to ensure that the funding and grants we offer are distributed fairly. We are committed to equality of opportunity, which means that we need to be mindful of barriers which may inhibit some people’s involvement; and to find ways to open up avenues for inclusion on an equitable basis. We are committed to increasing the inclusiveness of our grant-making processes, with the aim of achieving greater diversity in our applicants (including the schools, early years settings, organisations and universities which receive our funding).
All applicants that meet our funding criteria will be sent a link to our Equality Monitoring Survey. This helps us to understand how well we are reaching different groups of people. Answers are anonymous and participation is voluntary.
Take a look at our Froebel Trust Charter for Inclusive Practice.
We publish our annual accounts detailing our charity's structure, activities, income and spending and these can be found on the Charity Commission for England and Wales website. The Froebel Trust is a registered Charity No: 1145128. Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No: 07862112.
Find out more about how we work.
As an extension to our Froebelian approach, the introduction of woodwork has been amazing! It was the funding from the Froebel Trust that set us on our woodwork way - allowing staff to take specific and quality training, the purchase of a workbench, tools and an initial stock of balsa wood...