Clean Air Schools Grant Programme

The window for the Expressions of Interest is now closed.

We will inform schools about the outcome of their expression of interest decision prior to 1 December 2023.

The Bradford Clean Air Schools Programme (CASP) is a Bradford Council initiative funded by the Bradford Clean Air Zone (CAZ). Reductions in pollution outside schools are already being delivered by the CAZ, especially at those located next to busy main roads. The CASP seeks to further improve air quality at schools by providing targeted funding direct to schools to help them implement bespoke emission and exposure reduction measures ensuring schools become cleaner, healthier places for Bradford’s children.

The £500,000 fund is offering grants of £250 to £10,000 per school. Joint applications can be made and use a joint funding amount, for example two schools can apply for up to £20,000 on a joint project.

To be eligible for the fund you must be a Bradford District school offering primary or secondary education.

What do schools need to do?

• Start thinking about ideas to make the air cleaner around your school or to reduce the exposure of your pupils
• Complete an Expression Of Interest (EOI) application (Word, 28 Kb). The form is on this webpage along with further information to help you complete your EOI.
• Closing date for EOI is 20 October 2023, up to midnight.

Projects your school could consider

There are no one-size fits all solutions and site conditions, buildings, locations and communities will vary, however examples of the types of things these grants will support at schools are:

• Improved cycling and walking access
• Relocation of seating and play areas away from roads
• Ventilation and air filtration
• Promoting and facilitating park and stride and car sharing
• Behaviour change programmes
• Providing bespoke information such as air quality monitoring and walking maps
• Green Infrastructure
• EV charging and vehicle infrastructure
• Secure cycle / scooter storage

What we want to see

• Your project should be driven by an understanding of local needs, developing your ideas involving the people within your school and local community.
• The funding is focused on activities that have the potential to make a meaningful and lasting difference to air quality or exposure reduction around the school.

We would welcome ideas attracting match funding and partnership working

Grant information

Applications will be assessed based on: Potential air quality improvement, reduced exposure, wider benefits, cost, deliverability, and stakeholder support.

The grant values will normally be up to £10,000 and following the expressions of interest process schools will be supported in drawing up plans for bespoke solutions to maximise emission reduction in the vicinity of their premises. 

What else do I need to know?

• The application process will be in two stages – stage one is an expression of interest, and stage two a detailed application – you will be invited to submit a detailed application if the grants panel are satisfied with your expression of interest. Support will be provided with this if required.
• An initial assessment will be made on the content and strength of the Expression of Interest.
• The window for the Expressions of Interest will be open 20 September 2023 to 20 October 2023, up to midnight.
• We will inform schools about the outcome of their expression of interest decision prior to 1 December 2023.
• A school can only apply once in this round of funding, this can be as an individual school or a joint project with other schools.
• The funding is available to all schools district wide and will be administered through the Council's Sustainability team.
• Successful applications for funding will receiving funding to implement the projects that they propose. In addition to this Bradford Council will provide the following: Support to implement the project, educational resources and quizzes for the classroom around air pollution, generic banners and posters for use at school, Environmental Wardens to work in parallel with schools to educate and enforce anti idling regulations.