Guidance to Applicants
2027/28 Funding Round
About AQA
AQA is an independent education charity, providing high quality assessments that are fair, reliable, and support students in their educational journey. Each summer, we mark around 10 million exam scripts and issue nearly 5 million results to students. At AQA, our success is underpinned by a set of core values, which dictate how we make decisions and how we re-invest our profit for the benefit of Curriculum and Assessment, as well as the wider education sector.
About AQA’s Purpose-Driven Partnerships
Newly established in 2026, AQA’s Purpose-Driven Partnerships Programme aims to support organisations whose work strengthens the education system and aligns with AQA’s values. The programme will fund projects that enhance support for teachers and learners, contribute to research and innovation, benefit young people, and help AQA play a positive role in the wider sector. Partnerships are funded across three strands, inspired by our values:
Customers Front and Centre: partnerships that improve experiences, remove barriers, or provide Continuous Professional Development for teachers, schools and/or colleges.
Being AQA: Partnerships that support AQA in being an inclusive, collaborative and values-driven organisation.
Research, Innovation and Influence: Partnerships that generate evidence, test new ideas or produce innovative ways of improving the design and/or delivery of Curriculum and Assessment.
Introduction
This guidance outlines eligibility, expectations and assessment criteria for organisations applying to the AQA Purpose-Driven Partnerships Programme for the 2027/28 delivery year.
Applications open 14 September 2026, close 23 October 2026, and funded partnerships will run from Autumn 2027 to Summer 2028.
Available Funding
Grant sizes: £10,000 / £25,000 / £40,000.
Applicants must specify a proposed funding value when submitting their application. Please ensure that the amount requested is appropriate to the scale and requirements of the project, as applications seeking the highest funding levels will only be considered where the proposal clearly demonstrates the need for such investment. Applicants will have the opportunity to indicate whether their project could be adapted for delivery at alternative funding levels (e.g., whether a £40,000 proposal could be delivered at a reduced scale for £25,000 or £10,000 should only lower funding be available).
The Purpose-driven Partnerships Programme is designed to fund approximately 7–10 partnerships per cycle.
Eligibility
Key dates and Timeline
- Application open: 14 September 2026.
- Application close: 23 October 2026
- Notification of outcome: Early February 2027
- Contracting: February – April 2027
- Delivery: Autumn 2027 – Summer 2028
Application Form Structure
The application form is comprised of six sections plus additional EDI monitoring.
- Section A - Organisation Details
- Section B - Key Contact
- Section C - Funding Request
- Section D - Project Information
- Section E - Optional Video
- Section F - Declarations
- Optional EDI Monitoring
Please note that sections A – D and F are compulsory.
Optional Video Guidance
Applicants may provide a link to a 1–3-minute video illustrating relevant previous example(s) of good word. This is not a requirement.
Assessment Criteria
Each application will be assessed and scored against a set of criteria to determine alignment with AQA’s Purpose-driven Partnerships Programme:
- Strategic Fit
We want to see how well your project aligns with the aims of the funding stream you’ve chosen (Customers Front and Centre, Being AQA, Research, Innovation & Influence). Show that you understand AQA’s mission and values and explain clearly how your work connects to them. - Expected Impact
We look for a clear, realistic plan for what you aim to achieve, how you will deliver it, and what difference it will make. - Feasibility and Budget
Your budget should be well‑reasoned, transparent and aligned to your activities. - Portfolio Fit
We consider how your proposal sits within the pool of proposed partnerships and programmes. We value projects that add something new or reach audiences we’re not currently working with. - Clarity and Quality of Application
We look for applications that communicate the project clearly and concisely.
For any questions relating to this application or funding round, please contact