Invitation to tender for a UK Battery Sector National STEM outreach programme
Introduction and Background
The Battery Innovation Programme and the Faraday Institution invite proposals from experienced STEM engagement organisations to design, deliver, and evaluate a UK-wide STEM outreach programme. The programme will design, build and evaluate engaging STEM activities that inspire people across the UK to learn about batteries and their vital role in supporting the UK’s transition to net zero.
This call is focused on creating a high-quality, scalable outreach programme that can be delivered nationally, but which must be fully completed, including concept development and build, initial delivery (pilot and early rollout), resource development, partner engagement, and evaluation by the end of March 2027. Building on the success of the Faraday Institution’s Fully Charged Battery Box, which has already engaged more than 15,000 children, the activity should demonstrate how battery science and its role in the UK’s transition to net zero can be communicated effectively to public audiences. Proposals should therefore focus on both (i) delivering measurable public engagement impact within the funding period and (ii) creating a robust, low-cost legacy that enables continued use and scaling by partner organisations through to 2030 without requiring additional contractor input.
Objective
The lead organisation will design, build, test, and deliver a suite of reusable STEM engagement activities by 31 March 2027. The activities should be designed for continued use by science and discovery centres across the UK until 2030.
As part of the proposal, bidders must provide a legacy and sustainability plan that demonstrates how the activities will continue to be delivered independently by the participating centres. This should include establishing relationships and securing commitments from science and discovery centres during the project, so that the activities can continue with minimal ongoing support, time, and cost from the Faraday Institution.
The overall aim is to maximise public reach by embedding the activities within centres with established visitor audiences. The Faraday Institution intends to monitor visitor numbers of people using the battery activities beyond the contract period, with the ambition of maximising public awareness by 2030.
The successful organisation will work with the Faraday Institution to develop engaging, hands-on activities for schools, families and the wider public. The Faraday Institution will provide scientific expertise and access to the UK’s battery research and innovation community, while the successful contractor will be responsible for translating this into high-quality public engagement activities.
The successful organisation will be expected to:
- Design and deliver a coordinated UK-wide STEM outreach programme using reusable exhibits and engagement resources.
- Build capability within the UK science engagement community through training and support.
- Deliver a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the exhibits and activities, following completion of delivery by 31 March 2027, including the evaluation methodology, key findings, and recommendations.
- Produce and set up a legacy plan for impact and engagement.
IP and Ownership
Physical exhibits or activities will remain the property of the Battery Innovation Programme however will be loaned free of charge to the centres during the legacy period.
Who can apply
We are looking for a UK-based STEM charity or not-for-profit organisation with experience in delivering regional and national STEM outreach programmes across science and discover centres. The lead organisation will be required to provide letters of support from participating science centres and the exhibit/ activity construction company (if applicable) including up to 2030.
Funding and Submission
Due to funding constraints, the activities must be fully designed, developed, delivered (including initial rollout), and evaluated by 31 March 2027. Activities and resources should be designed to create a self-sustaining legacy, enabling continued use by science and discovery centres through to 2023 without requiring additional contractor input or cost.
The available budget for this work is up to £200,000 (including VAT).
The detailed requirements are set out in “Consultancy service agreement” section of the document linked below. Applicants should submit a proposal outlining how they will deliver the exhibits, meet the required outcomes and maximise the long-term legacy of the investment.
Please provide a breakdown of the £200,000 budget (including VAT) by work package on how you would complete this project. Please include a fully itemised budget, including:
- Staff costs
- Financial management and administration
- Travel and subsistence
- Materials, equipment and delivery costs
- Evaluation and reporting
- Any other project-related costs
Key dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Invitation to tender published | Monday the 3rd of August |
| Deadline for submission of the bid | Monday the 24th of August at 17:30 |
| Invitation for bid discussion | Week commencing 31st August |
| Decision communicated | Monday the 14th of September |
| Project kick-off | Monday the 21st of September 2026 |
Please return your proposal (maximum of 10 pages) and proposed budget by 5:30pm on Monday 24th August 2026
All questions should be directed to: [email protected]
Submissions should be sent to: [email protected]
Download supplemental information and consultancy service agreement
Compliance
Please note that by completing and returning this quotation form you are confirming an offer which is made against Faraday Institution terms and conditions (Annex B) and which, to your best knowledge, meets our requirements as set out in the Terms of Reference (Annex A). Should this not be the case please make this clear in your proposal. Faraday Institution reserves the right not to consider any quotation which is not in compliance with our requirement or terms.