CaMS
Project Awards
Frequently Asked Questions
We are looking for significant step changes to current provision that will equip mathematical sciences graduates with the skills needed for the challenges of tomorrow. This might range from specific enhancements to existing degree programmes through to re-imagining what a mathematical sciences degree could look like.
Please indicate on any multi-institutional applications which organisation is leading the bid as all grant agreements will be with one institution. Joint submissions of several institutions are permissible, but each institution can participate in one bid at most.
The panel will only review information provided in the application form. Any additional information submitted will not be considered.
Any applications up to £500,000 will be considered. Applications do not have to request the maximum funding available. Applications must comply with the rules on eligible expenditure, including that the funding is used within three years. Award holders must demonstrate a commitment to the long-term sustainability of the programme beyond the initial three-year funding period, including plans for on-going delivery
We expect successful bids to start between the 1 April 2025 and 1 October 2025. Funding will be released each year subject to the submissions of a progress report at the end of each year of the grant.
We are focussed on receiving applications for undergraduate degree programmes only. This is the level where we believe we will have the biggest impact in increasing the future pipeline into the mathematical sciences.
The panel will consider innovative outreach and retention measures as part of any bids as it is recognised that recruitment and retention of students is part of strengthening the overall pipeline. Applications will need to make the case for each aspect of their bid. Outreach should not be the main focus of the proposal.
An application must contain a real element of innovation and change the dial on the mathematical sciences degree offering. This does not have to be a new degree programme but must include a significant element of innovation over the existing offering. It needs to address the call’s key objectives. However, the provision could be collaborative involving other subject areas, or more than one institution. The application must have a core focus on foundational mathematics.
We want to support outreach activity if is targeted specifically at increasing student recruitment to the provision. If financial support is offered to students from underrepresented groups, it can only be done during the 3-year funding period. The case needs to be made how any financial support to students will be sustained by the institution beyond the initial funding period.
We don’t think is it helpful to be prescriptive about the content, recognising the diverse nature of provision across the sector. Within institutional contexts, there will be an understanding of the fundamentals of the subject students will need in order to successfully progress through an institution’s degree course. Any proposed programmes should give flexibility and incorporate problem-solving skills, while providing opportunities for students to choose different career paths. Applications should not be constrained by a rigid definition of the mathematical content. However, mathematics needs to be a core component of the provision and not an add on.
We will require a short update report at the end of each year of the grant before we release funding for the next year, and a final report at the end of the grant. We may follow-up after the grant has concluded to find out how the programme is developing but have yet to define what this may involve. We aim to share good practice that emerges from the initiative.
We will consider applications that involve integrated mathematics degree programmes. The Maths Degrees for the Future Grants Programme is focussed on undergraduate-level mathematics degree programmes.
The CaMS Project Awards are aimed at bolstering the maths talent pipeline following a maths A Level or Higher.
Maths was once again the most popular subject at A Level with 105,000 entries in 2025. This is up by more than 4% compared with 2024. It also remains one of the most popular Highers in Scotland. Yet this is not translating into more students studying maths at university.
Maths is key to the UK’s brightest future – it underpins many of our most urgent technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, and is central to the UK’s prosperity through its applications in national security, climate change and health. It is vital that that we increase the number of students going on to study maths at university to ensure people are equipped with the mathematical skills needed to work in these sectors.
Awardees
We have announced funding for two groundbreaking schemes designed to encourage more school pupils to pursue the mathematical sciences through to university and ensure the UK has the pipeline of talent needed to face the future.
The University of Greenwich and Heriot-Watt University will receive awards of almost £150,000 each to bring their approaches to life.
The University of Greenwich will deliver an innovative mathematics degree based on themes designed to appeal to a diverse pool of students such as social inequality and sustainability. The new offering will build on Greenwich’s work to offer a greater number of paths into maths.
Heriot-Watt University has brought together an advisory group of experts including secondary school teachers and TikTok maths communicator Ayliean MacDonald to contribute to the process of designing a range of new interactive digital resources to engage school pupils.
Further information
For any queries about this scheme please contact mathsfutures@lms.ac.uk
CaMS Project Awards are funded through a donation from XTX Markets to the London Mathematical Society, which administers the awards on behalf of CaMS.
Get Involved
Please email cams@connectpa.co.uk if you want to get involved in the campaign or if we can help with your work. You also can sign up for the CaMS newsletter using the form on this page.
We are always looking for help and suggestions to advance the mathematical sciences, including from new campaign supporters and industry partners.
We are always happy to help by sharing data and insights about the mathematical sciences, and with media queries and speaking opportunities, and policy briefings and visits.
