The Froebel Trust

Charity Number: 1145128

Stay updated on changes from The Froebel Trust and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly specified
  • Success Rate: Competitive (number of applications exceeds awards available)
  • Decision Time: Varies by grant program
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £50,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England, Scotland, Wales) with some international outreach

Contact Details

Website: www.froebeltrust.org.uk

Email: office@froebeltrust.org.uk

Phone: 020 8878 7546

Programme Manager (Grants & Events): Victoria Arneil

Pre-application Support: Ten-minute advisory online meeting slots available for potential applicants. Email Victoria Arneil at least two weeks in advance to book.

Overview

Founded in 2012 (Charity No. 1145128), The Froebel Trust emerged from The Incorporated Froebel Educational Institute, which dates back to 1892. The Trust is the only grant maker in England to fund research and practice development exclusively concerned with early childhood education and care for children from birth to eight years. The charity promotes the educational principles of Friedrich Froebel, focusing on play-based, child-centered learning. In 2021, the Trust launched a five-year strategy to: enable through grants, inform with training and resources, connect through networks, evidence Froebelian approach benefits, and champion children, families, educators, and play. The Trust operates UK-wide with particular activity in England, Scotland, and Wales, and maintains some international outreach partnerships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Practice Development Grants: Up to £5,000

Small grants for UK early years settings and schools wanting to further develop an aspect of Froebelian practice. Projects should last 12-18 months. Applications submitted online when program is open. Currently closed - join mailing list for updates.

Action Research Grants: Up to £5,000

Grants for educators/teachers to undertake action research projects about early years practice with a Froebelian approach. Applications require Guidance for Applicants review and expression of interest form submission. Currently closed - join mailing list for updates.

Froebelian Network Grants: Up to £1,000

Annual grants for established Froebelian networks. Applications open February 14, 2025; deadline March 27, 2025 at 1pm UK time. Late applications not accepted.

Open Call Research Grants: £5,000 - £50,000

Two tiers: smaller grants (maximum £5,000) and larger grants (£20,000-£50,000 for established researchers). Periodic open calls - dates vary.

PhD Bursaries: Amount varies

Support for students undertaking research with a Froebelian focus relating to young children's learning.

Priority Areas

  • Froebelian principles and practice in early childhood education
  • Children aged birth to eight years
  • Play-based learning approaches
  • Practice development and action research
  • Communities and families in areas of deprivation (particularly welcomed)
  • Outdoor learning and nature-based education
  • Child voice and participation
  • Inclusive practice
  • Professional development for early years educators

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals not affiliated with an organization/setting/school
  • Projects not connected to Froebelian ethos and approach
  • Capital costs (building works, equipment)
  • Activities that have already taken place before application
  • Costs associated with making an application
  • More than 20% of budget for physical resources
  • Travel to events without demonstrable project benefit versus environmental impact
  • Network grants for Froebel Trust Endorsed Courses (funded differently)
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for The Froebel Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Executive Team

  • Dr. Sacha Powell: Chief Executive Officer - manages executive team and oversees implementation of trustees' strategic plans
  • Dr. Nicola Kemp: Director of Insight and Impact
  • Oksana Lissovets: Finance Manager
  • Victoria Arneil: Programme Manager (Grants & Events)

Board of Trustees

  • Mark Devlin: Chair of Trustees
  • Michael Pearson: Chair of Finance & Governance Committee
  • Lilah Woods: Chair of Communications Committee
  • Professor Kate Hoskins: Chair of Research Sub-Committee
  • Dr. Lucy Parker: Chair of Education Sub-Committee (Deputy Headteacher at Ludwick Nursery School)
  • Dr. Sharon Colilles, Dr. Fufy Demissie, Professor Jean Noel Ezingeard, Catriona Gill, Abha Hurri, Holli Williams (Head of Schools at Linden Tree Nursery Schools), Sean Alleyne

Council

Sets the charity's strategic direction and provides governance, advice, and challenge to the Executive Team.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Practice Development & Action Research Grants:

  1. Review Guidance for Applicants document
  2. Check Frequently Asked Questions
  3. Complete required Froebel Trust training (eligibility requirement)
  4. Submit online expression of interest or application form
  5. Optional: Book 10-minute advisory meeting with Victoria Arneil (minimum 2 weeks advance notice)

Network Grants:

  1. Prepare clear 12-month plan for network activities
  2. If previous recipient, ensure prior grant report submitted
  3. Submit online application by deadline

Research Grants:

  • Applications reviewed by experts in Froebelian principles who score and provide comments
  • Grants Panel uses scores to shortlist and make award decisions

Decision Timeline

Varies by program. Successful applicants notified by email and receive award letter explaining claim process. Due diligence required before grant claim. The Trust does not enter negotiations about decisions, which are final.

Success Rates

Number of applications generally exceeds number of awards available across all programs. Specific percentage not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Priority for New Applicants: The Trust gives preference to first-time recipients:

  • Practice Development Grants: Priority to high-scoring applicants who have never received Froebel Trust funding
  • Action Research Grants: Priority to applicants who have not received a grant in previous years
  • Open Call Research Grants: Actively encourage and prioritize new applicants with strong applications who have not previously received Open Call funding

Network Grants: Previous recipients can reapply if they have submitted their report on how the last grant was spent.

Feedback: Due to limited capacity, the Trust cannot provide detailed feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility Requirements

  • Training prerequisite: Lead applicant and at least one other team member must have completed Froebel Trust Short Courses or endorsed courses (University of Edinburgh or Roehampton)
  • Organizational backing: Full support from head of school/setting essential
  • UK-based: Lead applicants must work in UK settings

Key Success Factors

Strong Froebelian Framework: Applications must demonstrate genuine commitment to and understanding of Froebelian principles - child-centered, play-based approaches.

Senior Leadership Support: Projects with full backing and involvement of senior management have greater success and more lasting benefits. This support should be explicit in applications.

Clear Research Design: For action research grants, include a research mentor (at least 1 hour/month, £50-£70/hour). Can be self if lead has research experience at Masters level or above. Trust can help find mentors.

Realistic Budgets:

  • Most budget should be for staff time or training
  • Less than 20% for physical resources
  • Include mentor costs if applicable

Partnership Approaches: Partnering with other settings is encouraged and strengthens applications.

Focus on Impact: Demonstrate how projects will have lasting, positive effects on practice and children's learning.

Recent Funded Projects (2024 Examples)

  • Intergenerational setting research on children's identity and belonging (Northumbria University)
  • Professional knowledge development for 'freedom with guidance' in outdoor environments (Canterbury Christ Church University)
  • Play supporting children's learning indoors and outdoors (Cardiff Flying Start)
  • Capturing babies' voices in planning and provision (Ely and Caerau Integrated Children's Centre)
  • Mixed-age play opportunities development (Maisondieu Primary School, Scotland)
  • Sustainable gardening eco-schools projects
  • Froebelian approach to slow pedagogy
  • Supporting SEND & vulnerable children's outdoor access
  • Developing woodwork and sewing in early years settings

Application Review Process

Applications reviewed by experts in Froebelian principles and practice who score each application and provide comments. Review panel includes education practitioners and academics with deep knowledge of Froebel's philosophy.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Complete the training first: Cannot apply without completing Froebel Trust Short Courses or endorsed courses - plan ahead as this is a strict eligibility requirement.
  1. Demonstrate deep Froebelian understanding: Generic early years applications won't succeed. Show specific knowledge of Froebel's principles: unity, connectivity, play, observation, autonomy within community.
  1. Secure leadership buy-in before applying: Applications must have full backing from senior management. This isn't optional - it's essential for success and sustainability.
  1. First-time applicants have advantage: If you haven't received Froebel Trust funding before, this significantly improves your chances. The Trust explicitly prioritizes new applicants.
  1. Budget for people, not things: Most of your budget should be staff time and training. Physical resources limited to 20% of total budget.
  1. Use advisory meetings strategically: Book a 10-minute consultation with Victoria Arneil at least two weeks before deadline to strengthen your application.
  1. Review funded projects: Study recent awards and case studies on the Trust's website to understand what successful projects look like and the language they use.
  1. Plan for 12-18 months: Practice development and action research projects should be substantial enough to run for at least a year, demonstrating sustainable impact rather than quick fixes.

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References