Public engagement funding opportunities

Need funding for letting people know about your research?  

Please double check application deadlines at the funders website in case they have changed. If you are aware of a funding opportunity that we have not listed, please let Edinburgh Neuroscience know so we can add it to our list.

University of Edinburgh: Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF)

The Wellcome Trust's Institutional Strategic Support Fund is intended to support a number of key objectives in the biomedical sciences.  One of the funding areas is public engagement that is embedded into reserach projects . Deadline: 30 November 2018 & 29 March 2019

Alzheimer's Society Dissemination Grants

The Alzheimer’s Society invites applications for its dissemination grants. These support the sharing of research knowledge and material beyond researcher’s own peer groups. Target audiences may include people affected by dementia, professional carers and care home staff, clinicians, nurses, psychologists and other allied health professions, as well as NHS employees, managers, commissioners and policy makers. Deadlines: May, August and November, upcoming deadlines: 30 November 2018.

Biochemical Society - scientific outreach grants

The Society wishes to support scientific outreach activities that communicate the excitement of molecular bioscience to young people and the community. Applications are invited for sums up to £1000 to assist with the direct costs associated with an event and expenses incurred (e.g. transport and/or teacher cover). You do not need to be a society member to apply. Deadline: April and September, next deadline April 2019

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council: Exploring innovation seminars 

The Biotechnology and Biological Research Council invites applications for funding for the delivery of exploring innovation seminars. This enables universities and institutes to deliver events to facilitate discussion and improve awareness of knowledge exchange and commercialisation of BBSRC-supported research. Deadline: any time 

British Psychological Society

Applications are invited from Society Members for grants of up to £10,000 for a range of activities which promote evidence-based psychology to the public and helps the Society achieve its objective to ‘take psychology to society’.  This sheme is currently not available

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council - Holmes Hines Memorial Fund

Funding available: No set amount, likely to be max. £1,500. Administered by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), small awards are available to help individuals or organisations with any scientific or engineering based public engagement activities where public funds are not available. Deadline: any time (3 months before funding is required). 

Medical Research Foundation - Alexander Fleming Dissemination Awards

Awards of up to £30,000 is avaiable to provide support for the dissemination of MRC and Medical Research Foundation-funded research results beyond the scientific peer reviewed press, to patients, participants, practitioners and policy makers. Deadlines: January, March, May, September

The Physiological Society

The Physiological Society offers grants of up to £5000 for members and non-members to run projects that engage with a public audience. Activities can cover any aspect of physiology and we particularly encourage collaborations between science communicators, facilitators of public engagement, and physiology researchers. Deadlines: 14 January and 14 June

Royal College of Pathologists, Public Engagement Innovation Grant Scheme

The Public Engagement Innovation Grant Scheme was introduced to give financial support for the delivery of a range of pathology-related events throughout the UK. Grants of up to £1000 are available for individuals or organisations who wish to develop pathology-related public engagement activities or events. Deadline: Early in 2019

The Royal Society Partnership Grants

The scheme offers up to £3,000 to support teachers, scientists and engineers to bring science alive and inspire young people in primary and secondary schools across the UK. Projects must involve a teacher and a practising UK scientist/engineer. Grants are awarded to the school.  Deadlines: Next round will open in 2019

Society for Endocrinology - public engagement grant

To allow Society members, and non-member public engagament professionals, to organise outreach activities, aimed at school children and/or the general public, to communicate the science of endocrinology. The grants will provide up to £1000 of funding. Deadlines: at least 6 months before start of activity. 

Wellcome Trust - Engagment Fellowships

Engagement Fellowships support and develop the careers of emerging leaders in public engagement. Deadlines: February

Wellcome Trust - Research Enrichment - Public Engagement

Previously known as the Provision for Public Engagement. Provides funding for Wellcome Trust researchers to engage the public with their work. Deadline: Applications are considered 4 times a year. Upcoming deadline: 21 January 2019

Wellcome Trust - Public Engagement Fund

This funding is for anyone with a great idea for engaging the public in conversations about health-related science and research. You can apply for £25,000 to £3 million over up to three years. Deadline: applications considered 4 times a year, next deadline:  29 March 2019. To request a grant over £250,000 email an expression of interest to pef@wellcome.ac.uk - applications considered year round.