Reece Foundation backs new STEM projects across the North East

19th August 2026

• Reece Foundation has approved a new round of grants supporting STEM, education, skills and community projects across the North East.
• The funded projects will reach schools, young people and local communities through activities including robotics, engineering, maths, science festivals, sustainability challenges and outdoor learning.
• We are encouraging future applications from organisations with practical ideas around engineering, manufacturing and environmental initiatives in the North East that will support sustainable prosperity for the region

In June our trustees approved our latest funding for a wide range of projects designed to inspire young people, strengthen STEM learning and support communities across the North East. The grants will help schools, charities, universities and community organisations deliver hands-on learning experiences, practical skills development and new opportunities for children, young people and local residents.

Anne Reece, Chair of Reece Foundation said: “We are delighted to support this new group of projects, each of which will help open up access to STEM learning, skills and careers across the North East. From robotics and engineering challenges to science festivals, outdoor learning and specialist training, these grants will give young people and communities the chance to explore ideas, build confidence and see how STEM can shape their futures.”

Grants include:

  • Celebrate Science Festival 2026 – Durham University – Funding will support the annual Celebrate Science Festival – a free, family science festival celebrating innovation, discovery and learning – by bringing science activities to visitors at Locomotion in Shildon during October half-term 2026.
  • Curious Investigators – One Tenth Human – Funding will support a six-month STEM project for children aged 3-7 through performance, workshops and invention-building with local engineers, encouraging hands-on exploration and directly supporting the Key Stage 1 Science curriculum in 12 primary schools.
  • Discovery First Look – Discovery Museum – Funding will initially support the first year of STEM and heritage-focused exhibitions, for the Newcastle based museum’s recently refurbished second-floor galleries.
  • Engineering Club – Dukes School, Ashington – Funding will help establish a Goblin Electric Car Engineering Club for Year 7 student at Dukes School in Ashington, culminating in participation in Goblin racing events.
  • Engineering Futures: Skills and Training – Blyth Tall Ship – Funding will support maritime engineering and ship restoration skills training, potentially for two years, using the unique environment of a working shipyard and historic tall ship, to inspire, educate and equip local people with the technical and personal skills needed for sustainable employment and lifelong learning, addressing critical skills shortages in marine engineering, woodworking, and heritage ship restoration across Blyth and South East Northumberland.
  • Enhancing the Outdoors – Blackfell Primary School, Washington – Funding will support the acquisition of STEM resources such as weather stations, measurement tools, building kits, and simple engineering challenges to encourage hands-on exploration in outdoor learning zones in a school in Washington. The school is also fundraising to develop the outdoor areas across the school grounds.
  • Focus on Fluency in KS2 Maths – Dr Frost Learning – Funding will support a one-year project to expand use of the Dr Frost Learning platform across 20 primary schools in areas of high deprivation. The online resource is dedicated to improving mathematics understanding and outcomes for young people.
  • ‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’ – Primary Engineer  –  Funding will support three years of the ‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’ competition Leaders Award in the North East, encouraging pupils to develop engineering ideas that respond to real-world problems.
  • Improving SEMH through engaging STEM activities – STEAM Ahead CIC – Funding will support an entrepreneurship challenge in nine schools using VEX coding drones to improve social, emotional and mental health and developing entrepreneurship through engaging STEM activities.
  • Industrial Cadets Climate Change Challenge – BOOST – Funding will support an Industrial Cadets event introducing Year 9 pupils at Duchess School in Alnwick to STEM and industry-linked learning opportunities. The two-day hands-on experience will reach more than 200 students and give pupils in rural communities access to STEM subjects and careers.
  • STEM Outreach 2026-29 – Newcastle United Foundation – Continued funding will support a three-year expansion of STEM outreach activity into additional communities in the West and North-West of Newcastle.
  • STEMFest 2026 – RTC North – Continued funding will support delivery of STEMFest – the largest hands-on STEM educational exhibition in the North East which will showcase a range of local businesses working in the STEM sector in October 2026.
  • Tackling Insights – Newcastle Rugby Foundation – Funding will support increased demand from schools for the Tackling Insights programme which aims to inspire young people from disadvantaged areas across the North East by linking STEM principles to rugby, and giving young learners the opportunity to explore topics such as coding, data science, and biomechanics in a hands-on and relatable way.
  • VEX UK National Championships – Global Robotics and Science Foundation – Continued funding will support the expansion of VEX GO, IQ and V5 teams (covering KS2, KS3 and KS4/5) to more primary and secondary schools in the North East. The project will culminate in collaborative regional events and expand the region’s presence at the VEX UK National Championships in March 2027.
  • World Robotics Olympiad 2026/27 – Nissan and Creative Hut – Funding will help launch a regional World Robotics Olympiad competition for the North East, where schools come together to showcase the robotics, coding and problem-solving skills, using existing robotics kits, enabling 70 schools to take part in robot games and future innovators challenges with a route to national competition.
  • Young Green Briton Challenge 2026-27 – Social Innovation for All CIC – Continued funding will contribute to the continuation and expansion to 15 secondary schools of a sustainability-focused challenge for whole year groups of state school students aged 11-14 (KS3) that weaves together climate education, innovation, entrepreneurship and active citizenship.

Several of the grants will extend existing programmes that have already demonstrated strong engagement with schools and young people, while others will help launch new activities in communities where access to STEM opportunities can be more limited. Together, the projects reflect our commitment to encouraging curiosity, creativity and confidence through science, technology, engineering and maths.

In addition in memory of Alan Reece a contribution will be given to Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team towards a new 4×4 vehicle to support mountain rescue emergency response and welfare operations.

 Apply for Funding

We welcome future applications from organisations with ambitious, practical ideas that support engineering, education, STEM engagement benefitting communities in the North East. Groups interested in applying are encouraged to consider how their projects will create lasting opportunities, reach the people who can benefit most and demonstrate clear outcomes for participants and communities.

Our trustees will meet again next month. To apply for funding, click here and submit your application by Friday, 4th September 2026.

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