Apply for SMF Support

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Apply for SMF Support

The SMF invites grant applications for neurodivergent youth engaged in engineering and making.

Opening: 1st Aug 2023
Closing: 7th Oct 2023

Key Terminology

SMF Support

SMF is a grant making organisation which provides funds, work experience, mentorships, and resources to help our SMF Stars thrive and grow.

Successful applicants will gain SMF Support tailored uniquely to their needs.

SMF Star

These are the neurodivergent individuals, our 'beneficiaries', who will benefit from our support.

Until SMF Support has been confirmed, we refer to you below as 'potential beneficiaries' or 'potential SMF Stars'.

Collaborators

These are the people who manage or work in a position of responsibility at the organisations where our SMF Stars work, learn & thrive. They might be a teacher, employer, lecturer, or run a Makerspace or club etc. It is the Collaborator who, with input from the beneficiary, will complete the SMF Application Form.

Eligibility

Before applying, please check you and your potential beneficiary are eligible to apply...

Please read SMF Application Guidance and SMF Terms & Conditions

SMF Application Guidance

SMF Terms & Conditions

Collaborator Criteria

To qualify as a Collaborators, you must meet the following criteria:

Agree that the support provided by SMF is to be used solely for the charitable purposes for which it was awarded.
Provide a safe environment for the SMF Star to learn, with appropriate facilities and policies in place.
Agree to report on the progress made throughout the project and provide evidence of any certification on completion of the activities.
Agree to all conditions found in our SMF Terms & Conditions. Please read this document before applying.

Beneficiary Criteria

To qualify for SMF Support, beneficiaries must meet the following criteria:

Aged 14 to 25 years.
Resident in England or Wales.
Are neurodivergent (click to review what's included under the term 'neurodivergent').
They should have a palpable interest in and gain a sense of enjoyment from engaging in engineering &/or making.

Application Process

Applications will open on 1st Aug 2023 and close on 7th Oct 2023

Step 1

If you are a potential beneficiary, find your collaborator (teacher, employer, club runner) to work on this with you.

If you are a Collaborator, identify your potential beneficiary and tell them about the SMF.

Step 2

Both potential beneficiaries and Collaborators must read the SMF Application Guidance and, Collaborators, please read the SMF Terms & Conditions before applying. They will tell you all the detail you need, including what's in the application form.

Step 3

Double check your eligibility and make sure you meet the criteria to apply.

Step 4

APPLY!

Fill out the application form. Unfortunately, this needs to be done in one setting so use the SMF Application Guidance to be ready with all your answers.

Please then email the SMF with any supporting documentation and to let them know you've applied.

SMF Application Form

Access to the form will close on 7th Oct 2023

What Happens next?

Once the application closing date is reached, the Trustees will review the applications over the following month or so to determine the winner(s).
The SMF may be back in touch to ask you for additional information during that month.
They will aim to let you know if you've been successful or not within 2 months of the Application closing date.

How do the Trustees make their decision?

The Trustees will consider the following to determine the winners:

Adherence to the eligibility criteria
Alignment with the foundation's mission
Confirmation that the outcomes of the support will demonstrate furtherance to the SMF's charitable purposes
Number of candidates and potential impact
The availability of funds

If successful, the SMF will work with the beneficiary and collaborator to provided SMF Support tailored to address each SMF Star's unique need.

What support can you apply for?

SMF Support encompasses various forms of assistance, such as financial aid, mentorship, work experience, and access to certain resources.
Detailed examples of SMF support can be found in the SMF Application Guidance.