Apply for funding to engage the public with STFC-supported science, technology or facilities.
You must work for an organisation that:
Proposals must include a researcher in an STFC-funded area.
The full economic cost of your project can be up to £125,000. We will fund 80% of the full economic cost.
Your project will last approximately 36 months.
Organisations that apply must be based in the UK.
STFC can only fund organisations that have audited accounts. If this does not describe your organisation, you must work in partnership with an organisation that can receive the funding on your behalf.
Almost anyone can apply for a Nucleus award, including:
The principal applicant must be eligible to apply on behalf of the organisation that would hold the award.
Every application must include a researcher in an STFC-funded area of science or technology. While these researchers often play an active role in delivering the engagement activities, this is not mandatory. They may act as an adviser on the scientific content.
If applicants have any questions about applicant eligibility, please contact the public engagement team: stfcpublicengagement@stfc.ac.uk and we will advise on how you may proceed.
Applicants may apply for a Nucleus award for any new idea or evolution of a project that has been previously supported by an STFC Spark award. Resubmissions of previous applications that can demonstrate that feedback received during the peer review process has been addressed.
Applicants seeking funding for the continuation or further development of a programme previously funded by an STFC Nucleus award should apply for a Legacy award.
At the time of opening we recognise that there remain potential issues developing partnerships related to COVID-19. The STFC public engagement team would be happy to discuss the situation as applicants develop their submissions. We encourage you to continue to engage and liaise with potential partners to the fullest practical extent and develop your application accordingly.
If you have faced difficulties in building and evidencing partnerships we encourage early contact with the STFC public engagement team to obtain advice regarding your application.
STFC Nucleus grant holders undertake high quality programmes of public engagement that inspire and involve target audiences with stories of STFC science, technology and facilities. Grant holders may also use Nucleus awards to create and sustain public engagement networks that develop communities of practice.
Proposed engagement programmes must either:
STFC’s remits are:
Nucleus awards will not be awarded unless there is a strong and demonstrable link between the proposed activities and STFC science and technology.
Nucleus awards may also be used for activities that are dedicated to developing community networks or capacity building in public engagement. This may be the sole purpose of a Nucleus award, or an application may combine engagement activities and networking into a coherent package.
The Wonder Initiative is about giving under-served communities an equal voice by listening, understanding, and responding to what people want to know about science and technology. Wonder marks a long-term commitment by STFC public engagement to move our focus towards audience-driven public engagement with under-served communities in the most socio-economically deprived areas of the UK. Financial support through Nucleus awards is an important part of the Wonder Initiative.
The target audience for Wonder is defined according to indices of multiple deprivation. Specifically, STFC is interested in supporting audience-driven engagement that works with audiences, particularly those eight to 14 years old and their families and carers, from the 40% most socio-economically deprived areas of the UK.
STFC defines the 40% most socio-economically deprived areas of the UK as those areas listed in the bottom two quintiles of the indices of multiple deprivation for the respective part of the UK.
Applicants are explicitly invited to submit Nucleus awards that work with the Wonder target audience.
We encourage applications that propose engagement with audiences considered to have low ‘science capital’.
Applicants may choose which audiences to engage with and the methods of engagement. These must be outlined in the proposal.
Nucleus awards will not be awarded for the sole purpose of authorship and publication of books and novels, though proposals in which the production of a book is an output of a wider programme will be considered.
Applicants should use their proposal to clearly explain how their Nucleus award will further the aims of the STFC public engagement strategy.
Applications that highlight the social, ethical, and economic benefits of research are welcomed.
Applicants are encouraged to propose novel or innovative approaches towards engagement as part of their Nucleus award, as long as these are demonstrably well-planned and have clearly defined audiences.
STFC focuses heavily on evaluation and applicants must provide a clear evaluation plan showing details of how the outputs, outcomes and impacts of the Nucleus award will be captured and evaluated.
We require applicants to report on the outcomes of their Nucleus award in line with the STFC public engagement evaluation framework, which describes our approach towards effective engagement. We suggest that applicants should familiarise themselves with the framework and consider how it could be used to evaluate their engagement programme from its inception. Applicants are reminded that evaluation costs can be included within the overall budget.
The Public Engagement Nucleus award scheme falls under the full economic costs framework. Therefore, all costs that contribute to the full economic cost of the proposal should be included under the cost headings as shown in the ‘applying for a grant’ section of the STFC research grants handbook. As the Nucleus award scheme has no capital budget, applicants cannot request funds under the equipment heading.
The maximum value that may be sought by organisations covered by full economic cost is £125,000 and the maximum payable by STFC is £100,000.
For non-full economic cost organisations, the maximum that can be applied for (and awarded) is £100,000.
Other than the restrictions outlined below, there are no set restrictions on the type of costs that may be applied for. For example, contributions to salaries, cost of materials, and travel and subsistence are eligible.
The following costs are ineligible for support through Nucleus awards:
For applicants from or for schools, note the following ineligible costs:
At the time of opening we recognise that there remain potential issues COVID-19 pandemic could make traditional engagement modes more challenging than they have been in for previous Nucleus awards funding opportunities.
For this opportunity we are continuing to be receptive to applications that consider the appropriateness of remote and virtual methodologies for enabling effective two-way engagement as a potential focal area for their work. We are also continuing to be less stringent regarding the previous restriction whereby we would only consider funding digital content (for example websites, videos) as an intrinsic part of a wider engagement programme.
Where applications are focused on face-to-face delivery, applicants are encouraged to actively consider mitigation and contingency planning should the intended activity delivery not be possible due to potential residual issues related to COVID-19.
Any application for digital content needs to include:
You must apply using the Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) system.
You can find advice on completing your application in:
We recommend you start your application early.
Your host organisation will also be able to provide advice and guidance.
Before starting an application, you will need to log in or create an account in Je-S.
When applying:
To create the document in Je-S you will need to select the following options:
STFC must receive your application by 10 November 2022 at 4:00pm UK time.
You will not be able to apply after this time. Please leave enough time for your proposal to pass through your organisation’s Je-S submission route before this date.
You should ensure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines that may be in place.
Together with the relevant Je-S application form, you will need to provide the following attachments for your outline proposal application.
Maximum of two sides of A4. The outline proposal should conform to the font and margin guidelines in the Je-S help text and must include the following:
This should be from any project partners.
At the outline proposal stage we only require minimal information for this funding opportunity and request that you complete the following sections:
However, you will note that there are other sections that are mandatory on the scheme, for example aims and project personnel, so to pass validation please enter ‘n/a’ or ‘see case for support’ in these text boxes.
If successful at the outline stage, you will need to submit a full proposal. The full proposal submission includes expanded proposal documentation that is assessed through written peer review commentary.
In addition to the Je-S form and letters of support, you will need to submit an eight-page case for support which needs to include:
Stage three is a panel interview. All stage two applicants attend a panel interview that will explore their proposal in more detail.
At stage four, final funding decisions are taken on by STFC on the basis of peer review evidence from stages two and three of the process.
STFC reserves the right to decline to participate in proposals at our discretion.
Please note that applications involving STFC as a project partner are treated no differently to other applications in the peer review and funding decision process.
Nucleus awards are assessed by a four-stage peer review process.
Applications are discussed by a peer review panel, which invites a number of proposals to stage two of the process.
All applications are initially discussed by an independent panel of peer reviewers. The peer review panel will have a range of expertise in outreach, engagement, education and communication of science and technology. The panel will also have knowledge of STFC facilities and grant funded research.
The panel selects a number of applicants to go forward to stage two of the scheme. The panel uses the stage one assessment criteria as the basis for selection for interview:
We aim to advise all applicants of the outcome of their stage one application within six weeks of the closing date. Applicants who are successful at stage one will receive feedback on their application and will be invited to submit a second application, through the Je-S system, for consideration under the following peer review processes.
Applicants short-listed on the basis of their written application will be provided with feedback on any aspect of the application that the panel would like to explore further at the interview stage.
Applicants who are successful at stage one will be advised of the marking criteria that will be used at the interview and presentation stage.
Feedback will also be provided through Je-S to applicants who were unsuccessful at stage one.
STFC’s decisions are final.
STFC intends this scheme to be flexible and reserves the right to deal with applications of unusual character and to waive any rule at its absolute discretion.
For help and advice on costings and writing your proposal, please contact your research office in the first instance, allowing sufficient time for your organisation’s submission process.
Email: andy.thompson@stfc.ukri.org
Telephone: 07598 404139
Email: stfcpublicengagementteam@stfc.ac.uk
Should applicants wish to discuss the ability of STFC to participate in their proposal, the following individuals are appropriate first points of contact for the major national laboratory sites:
01793 444164
STFC Public Engagement Nucleus awards are governed by the grant conditions as set out in the research grants handbook, unless otherwise stated. Applications are accepted and awards are made on the understanding that research organisations and Nucleus grant holders agree to observe the terms and conditions and the scheme requirements set out in this document and any amendments issued.
Applicants must take up the award at the host institution identified in the application. STFC will not allow a Public Engagement Nucleus grant holder to change their host institution prior to taking up an award.
Consideration will be given to requests during the course of an award to relocate the grant to a different institution for scientific or domestic reasons. The agreement of the institutions concerned will be required before seeking approval from STFC.
Public Engagement Nucleus grant holders will be required to provide reports of activities to the STFC public engagement team when requested. STFC reserves the right to request periodic information or to visit the Public Engagement Nucleus grant holder. Nucleus grant holders will be expected to meet with the STFC public engagement grants mentor a minimum of twice a year.
The Nucleus grant holder may also be asked to attend meetings to exchange information and ideas with others undertaking STFC public engagement activities.
The Public Engagement Nucleus grant holder must make all reasonable efforts, if so invited, to respond to requests for information or to attend events or activities organised by the research council concerning the research undertaken. Such events may be held after a grant has finished.
Public Engagement Nucleus grant holders will be expected to attend an annual meeting of all STFC Public Engagement grant holders. This may be a face-to-face event, a virtual meeting or a hybrid event.
Public Engagement Nucleus grant holders are expected to regularly update the record of their grant using the research council reporting tool, Researchfish, in line with the STFC public engagement evaluation framework. Comprehensive Researchfish returns are an essential part of STFC public engagement funding policy development.
There are additional questions for STFC public engagement grant holders. This enables STFC to easily extract data regarding the impact of the work of our Nucleus grant holders whenever required, and serves as a database of impacts (outputs, outcomes and reach) for grant holder’s own reference.
To assist with their Researchfish return, Public Engagement Nucleus grant holders are also required, throughout their award, to collect data relevant to their activities in the STFC public engagement metrics spreadsheet and send it to the public engagement team once a year. The metrics spreadsheet will be sent to the applicants at the commencement of an award.
Public Engagement Nucleus grant holders will be required to provide reports of activities to the STFC public engagement team when requested. STFC reserves the right to request periodic information or to visit the Public Engagement Nucleus grant holder. Nucleus grant holders will be expected to meet with the STFC Public Engagement grants mentor a minimum of twice a year.
The Nucleus grant holder may also be asked to attend meetings to exchange information and ideas with others undertaking STFC public engagement activities. The Public Engagement Nucleus grant holder must make all reasonable efforts, if so invited, to respond to requests for information or to attend events or activities organised by the research council concerning the research undertaken. Such events may be held after a grant has finished.
Publications and other forms of media communication, including media appearances, press releases and conferences, must acknowledge the support received from STFC, quoting the grant reference number if appropriate.
Resources produced as a result of any grants should acknowledge STFC (as part of UK Research and Innovation) as the funding source, using the standard format agreed by funders and publishers and detailed in the additional information accompanying this grant.
In order to ensure appropriate coordination and opportunities to increase the impact of engagement, external media activity produced as a result of this award must be signed off by the STFC media team before the activity takes place, or is published. This includes press releases, online videos and media briefings.
Grant holders are responsible for giving STFC sufficient notice in advance of activities such that STFC can advise on content or build the activities of grant holders into our own communications and engagement programmes.
It is the responsibility of the research organisation, and all engaged in the research, to make every reasonable effort to ensure that the intellectual assets obtained in the course of the research, whether protected by intellectual property rights or not, are used to the benefit of society and the economy.
Outcomes and resources should be disseminated or made available to both research and more widespread audiences, for example to inform potential users and beneficiaries of the research.
Unless stated otherwise, the ownership of all intellectual assets, including intellectual property, and responsibility for their application, rests with the organisation that generates them.
STFC may, in individual cases, reserve the right to retain ownership of intellectual assets, including intellectual property (or assign it to a third party under an exploitation agreement) and to arrange for it to be exploited for the national benefit and that of the research organisation involved. This right, if exercised, will be clearly set out in an additional grant condition.
There should be suitable recognition and reward to researchers who undertake activities that deliver benefit through the application of research outcomes. The research organisation must ensure that all those associated with the research are aware of, and accept these arrangements.
It is a condition of every grant that STFC accepts no liability for the manner in which the work in connection with the grant is undertaken, and the research organisation and Nucleus grant holder will be responsible in all respects for the work and the consequences of it.
A grant may be terminated, or its conditions varied, at any time at the absolute discretion of STFC.
Should the Nucleus grant holder leave their institution for another research organisation or an alternative type of employment, they must notify the public engagement team immediately. If it is not possible to transfer the grant then STFC will terminate payments from the day immediately after the Nucleus grant holder leaves the host institution.
Failure to submit reports will result in termination of the award unless there are mitigating reasons.
Grant holders will:
The panel’s aims are:
The peer review conclusions may be convened by the executive to include consolidated grants, contiguous groups of research requests, or research requests which are judged (on the basis of cost or propriety) with regard to the terms of reference for the panel.
STFC, as a publicly funded organisation, is accountable to government and the public for its actions and for the way it conducts its business which must be undertaken in a way that is transparent and guards against conflicts of interest influencing the outcome of decisions. Further information for managing conflicts as an STFC panel member can be found in our guidance for reviewers.
STFC is fully committed to ensuring that all applicants receive equal treatment throughout the peer review process and will provide the necessary training and support to panel members and peer reviewers.
STFC policies on inclusion and diversity
STFC will keep these policies under review to ensure that its policies and practices reflect best practice and enable full compliance under the Equality Act 2010.
STFC will distribute peer review papers through a secure extranet and all information must be considered as confidential, the contents should not be disclosed. The confidential nature is intended to ensure that the contents of the proposals and reviews are not made known more widely than is necessary for proper consideration by the peer review panels. Names of reviewers are not disclosed to applicants and neither are those of the lead introducer for the proposals.
Applications, independent reviews and principal investigator responses are available to panel members via the peer review extranet (STFC’s preferred method for sharing data).
Strict controls on data security and data handling are currently in place for government departments and government-funded organisations, including the research councils.
Panel members must not save data (on to laptops, discs or hard drives) and if printed copies of any of the documents are made, these must be shredded after use.
