The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC)
At a glance
Key takeaways
- ASDC's giving is framed around STEM engagement, delivered through national programmes run by science centres, museums and outreach organisations, so a group whose work fits that field and can deliver public workshops or family activities is closest to its purpose.
- Its total annual giving was £233,782, and no grant range is published, so there is no typical figure to aim for; a modest, clearly costed request is the safer starting point.
- No application process is published in the annual report or on its website, so contact the address shown to ask whether it is open to proposals before writing anything full.
- Its grants go to delivery partners within its strategic programmes, so a cold, open approach may not match how it works.
- Groups whose work is not STEM engagement will find little in its stated focus to match.
Overview
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1129312).
ASDC is an independent charity set up to serve and support science and discovery centres and related organisations in the UK and beyond, fostering learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for the public benefit. It works with over 60 major science engagement organisations across the UK, and its total annual giving was £233,782. Its giving runs through national strategic STEM programmes, such as Our World From Space, a two-year programme funded by the UK Space Agency in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), which gave grants to 25 science centres and museums. It also supported Mindsets + Missions, a pilot learning and grants programme funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
What they fund
Priority Areas
ASDC makes grants through national strategic STEM programmes delivered by science-engagement organisations around the UK. The programmes bring research and discoveries to public audiences, using co-created activities to introduce innovative ways of engaging people, build resilience and strengthen practice with communities. Grants support delivery partners such as science centres, museums and outreach organisations to provide workshops, family activities and classroom-based engagement. Its approach draws on the ASDC network and expertise from related fields. One programme described by ASDC supported museums and science centres to engage underrepresented groups with knowledge, research and innovation.
Themes
- STEM engagement
Geographic Focus
UK.
How to apply
No application process is published in the charity's annual report, its register entry or its website. The contact shown is for getting in touch.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- United Kingdom
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC).
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 March 2021 | £571,994 | £647,388 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2021 |
| year to 31 March 2022 | £448,087 | £525,897 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2022 |
| year to 31 March 2023 | £543,376 | £511,913 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2023 |
| year to 31 March 2024 | £663,080 | £645,541 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2024 |
| year to 31 March 2025 | £656,964 | £606,228 | £233,782 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2025 |
- Grants paid, year to 31 March 2025: the accounts do not say whether this is grants awarded or paid.
— No grants figure for those years.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- sciencecentres.org.uk
- sciencecentres.org.uk/projects · read on 23 October 2026
- sciencecentres.org.uk/projects/our-world-from-space · read on 23 October 2026
- sciencecentres.org.uk/about/governance · read on 23 October 2026
- sciencecentres.org.uk/contact · read on 23 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 March 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 23 October 2026.
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At a glance
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Contact
- info@sciencecentres.org.uksource
- Suite 101, QC30, 30 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol, BS1 4HJsource
- sciencecentres.org.uk
Stay Updated
Get updates on The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) and other funders
SubscribeApplying to The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC)?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- info@sciencecentres.org.uksource
- Suite 101, QC30, 30 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol, BS1 4HJsource
- sciencecentres.org.uk