A Scottish government fund worth up to £1.2 million and designed to support the growth of entrepreneurial education opens today for applications, with the government saying funding has increased by more than a third.
However, Scottish schools are currently closed for the summer break with some not due to reopen to pupils until 20 August, the same day the fund closes for applications.
In Fife and the Borders, for instance, schools reopen to staff on Monday 18 August, with pupils returning on Wednesday 20 August.
Information online suggests that last year the fund was open for bids from August until September, which is more in line with the school year.
Responding, a Scottish government spokesperson said the fund generally attracts organisations that deliver educational programmes in schools - not applications from schools directly.
The spokesperson added that the application window in 2025-26 is similar to the 2024-25 window in terms of length and had been brought forward as part of efforts to award grants earlier, enabling schools to sign up to programmes early in the academic year.
makes grants of £10,000 to £250,000 available to public and private sector organisations to deliver courses and projects that will encourage more young people to choose business ownership as a career path.
The information on bodies eligible to apply for the fund begins by listing “schools, universities, colleges, early learning providers” - but many are currently closed.
Businesses and companies, as well as third-sector organisations and “grassroots initiatives”, can also apply.
Today, the government said that in 2024-25 the fund was used to support programmes that embedded entrepreneurial education in Scotland’s classrooms from P1 to S6.
Up to £885,000 of funding was made available in 2024-25, with grants of £829,000 awarded.
Last year, Daydream Believers received £146,200 to develop a 120-hour learning programme, called to spark innovation and creative thinking. It asks pupils to use creative thinking to transform a disused phone box into something unexpected, as well as create a new snack.
The government says this year it wants to encourage more applications for vocational programmes for older students.
Launching the fund, Kate Forbes, deputy first minister, said entrepreneurial education in schools “helps build the mindset, skills and attitudes needed to succeed”, as well as “breaking down barriers to people considering entrepreneurship as a career choice”.
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