Funding for public engagement

Contents

Overview

Our mission is to use the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) science and technology as the basis of inspiring public engagement.

The STFC community plays a vital role in helping us reach new audiences. Our grant programmes support high-quality public engagement across the country and build community networks and partnerships to help raise standards of engagement.

Grants you can apply for

Public Engagement Spark Award

This opportunity is open to a wide range of organisations. You can apply if you’re a UK organisation with an annual financial report and accounts.

Your project must involve at least one researcher in an STFC-funded area.

Your project must focus on an area within the remit of STFC including:

  • astronomy
  • solar and planetary science
  • particle physics
  • particle astrophysics
  • cosmology
  • nuclear physics
  • accelerator science

In particular, we’d like to fund projects that engage:

  • eight to 14-year-olds, and their families, from socioeconomically deprived areas
  • groups considered to have low science capital

Projects can last up to three years.

Apply for a Public Engagement Spark Award

Engage the public with STFC’s science, technology and facilities: Nucleus Award

You can apply for funding to engage the public with STFC-supported science, technology or facilities.

You must work for an organisation that:

  • is based in the UK
  • has audited accounts

Proposals must include a researcher in an STFC-funded area.

Apply for funding to engage the public with STFC’s science, technology and facilities

Leaderships fellow in public engagement

Apply for a fellowship to increase capacity and capability within your organisation or community to engage the public with STFC-supported science, technology or facilities.

You must be:

  • from the academic, engineering or technical community
  • working within STFC’s remit
  • based at an eligible UK research organisation

This award is annual.

Apply for leaderships fellow public engagement funding

Before you apply

Ask the public engagement team for help before you submit your application.

Email: stfcpublicengagementteam@stfc.ac.uk

Last updated: 28 October 2025

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services.