Funding Opportunities
There are lots of opportunities to apply for funding for innovation and engagement from various different organisations, including the research councils, and we will update this page regularly with information about this. You can also search for funding on the ResearchResearch website and register for regular funding alerts.
If you have an idea for an engagement activity, no matter what it is, large or small, and you are unable to find a funding source, please contact us and we will help in looking and applying for funding.
BBRSC
An annual funding competition, the BBRSC offers funds of up to £5000 to support BBSRC-sponsored researchers, BBSRC-sponsored institutes and BBSRC local coordinators to undertake public engagement activities. Applications to repeat previously successful activities as well as applications for new activities are welcome. Priority will be given to applications that focus on dialogue with public groups, particularly adults and hard-to-reach groups such as ethnic minorities, inner city communities or those with special needs.
The closing date for 2009 has now passed, but the date for 2010 will be published shortly.
Wellcome Trust - People Awards
The People Awards enable exploration the impact of biomedical science on society, its historical roots, effects on different cultures, and the ethical questions that it brings, by supporting activities such as events, debates, exhibitions, art projects and drama productions related to biomedical science. It aims to encourage people of all ages and from all walks of life to consider, question and debate the key issues of now and the future.
Awards are made up to £30,000 and the closing dates are 3 April 2009, 17 July 2009, 16 October 2009, 29 January 2010
Wellcome Trust - Arts Awards
The Wellcome Trust invites applications for small to medium sized projects that engage the public with biomedical science through the arts. Funding of up to £30,000 per award for up to three months is available to support the development of new project ideas, deliver small-scale productions or workshops, investigate methods of engagement through the arts or develop collaborative relationships between artists and scientists.The scheme is open to a wide range of people including artists, scientists, curators, filmmakers, writers, producers, directors, academics, science communicators, teachers, arts workers and education officers. Applicants must be based in the UK or RoI and the activity must take place in the UK or RoI. Eligible candidates are usually affiliated to organisations, but can apply as individuals.
The closing dates for these awards are 17 July 2009, 16 October 2009, 29 January 2010
Wellcome Trust - International Engagement Awards
These awards are aimed communities and members of the public (particularly those affected by or involved in health research), science communicators, health and science journalists, healthcare professionals, educators, field workers, community workers and policy and decision makers.
Awards of up to £30,000 will be made.The deadline for these awards are 24th April 2009 and 30th October 2009.
Public Engagement and the History of Medicine
This scheme enables the history of medicine to reach wider audiences such as schools, the public and the media.
In recent interviews with historians of medicine, a strong theme that emerged was the belief that there was great potential for the history of medicine to make further advances in reaching wider audiences such as schools, the public and the media. Indeed, many of those interviewed thought that historians of medicine could contribute enormously to public engagement with science and the policy agenda in medical research. Therefore, the History of Medicine Funding Committee has set aside part of its annual budget to fund public engagement projects.
Grants of over £30,000 will be awarded. The closing dates for 2009 are, 1st March, 1st August and 1st December.