Small grants for grassroots organisations and networks which support and connect Froebelian educators working with babies and young children.
The Froebel Trust recognises the importance of educator-led networks. Each year we offer small grants (up to £1,000) for established Froebelian networks.
The grants are intended to contribute towards the cost of network activities that will advance and promote Froebelian education and learning.
To be eligible to apply for this fund, the aims and activity of an applicant’s network must be Froebelian – that is, inspired by the principles of Friedrich Froebel and / or Froebelian philosophy, history or practice.
Funding is limited each year and the Froebel Trust cannot guarantee to fund all grant applications received.
Please note that the 2025/26 grant can only be used for activity starting (or entirely taking place) between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. We cannot fund activity that has taken place before you apply or any costs associated with making an application to us.
Applications open on Friday 14 February 2025.
Step 1
ELIGIBILITY
A) Is your network already established? This can be a network in the early stages of formation but it must have a named lead, a host organisation that can receive the grant on the network's behalf, and a contact email address that can be shared on our website. The network does not need to be based in the UK.
- Yes (you can apply for a grant).
- No (you can't apply this year. Please come back in the future).
B) Did you receive a network grant from the Froebel Trust in 2023/24 or 2024/25?
- Yes (you can apply if we have received your report on how you spent the last grant).
- No (you can apply if you answered yes to question 1).
C) Do you have a clear plan for what you want your network to do / achieve in the next 12 months, and how you will do this?
- Yes (you will be asked to give details in your application)
- No (if you think we can help you to plan, please email office@froebeltrust.org.uk. You cannot apply without a clear plan.)
D) Do you need the grant to pay for a Froebel Trust Endorsed Course?
- Yes (you can't apply for a network grant to help pay for a Froebel Trust Endorsed Course because these courses are funded differently).
- No (the network grant can cover professional development, including training days for your network members providing it promotes and advances Froebelian education and learning).
Step 2
ELIGIBLE AND READY TO APPLY?
A) Click the 'APPLY' button on this webpage to open the application form. Applications open on Friday 14 February 2025.
B) The deadline for applications is 1pm UK time on Thursday 27 March 2025. We regret that we can't consider late applications.
C) You will be asked to provide the details of the organisation that would receive the grant on behalf of your network and you must confirm that you have their permission. Please check before you submit your application.
D) When you submit your application, you will see an acknowledgement on screen. This tells you that your application has been received.
E) We will email you to tell you the outcome of your application on or shortly after 1 April 2025.
F) The Froebel Trust reserves the right not to enter into negotiations about its grant decisions, which are final. Due to limited capacity, we can't provide detailed feedback to unsuccessful applicants. Generally, the number of applications for our grants exceeds the number of awards we can make.
Step 3
AWARDS
A) If you are successful, you will receive an award letter that explains how to claim your grant.
B) Before you can make a claim, we need to perform 'due diligence'. We will ask you to supply us with a number of documents that allow us to check the host organisation's registration status (e.g. registered as a school or a company) and financial viability (e.g. latest accounts). The grant is dependent on performance of satisfactory due diligence.
C) We will tell you when due diligence has been completed. At that time, you may send us an invoice to claim your grant, which will be paid into the account of the host organisation.
D) The grant must be ringfenced for your network and must only be used for the purposes stated in your application form.
E) The invoice to claim your grant must be sent to us before 31 March 2026.
F) If you do not spend all of your grant, unspent funds must be returned to the Froebel Trust.
G) You will be required to report on your activity and how you spent the grant.
H) We are here to help so please email us if you have any questions: office@froebeltrust.org.uk
